It’s a debate as old as the ski industry in Australia – which snow resort is best? This winter, Perisher lands a fresh blow in the battle for alpine supremacy with a new chairlift that snatches a title long held by its NSW rival, Thredbo – the highest lifted point in the country.

The $26 million high-speed, six-seater chairlift takes skiers and snowboarders to a height of 2042 metres above sea level. That’s an important five metres above Thredbo’s Karel’s T-Bar, and the iconic bell marking its altitude.

A recent cold snap created the best start to ski season in years over the just-gone opening weekend. But the new lift will not spin until there’s consistent natural snowfall – likely in July.

Victorian resorts are making the most of the weekend’s snowfall, helped by a timely forecast: a blizzard arrived on Saturday, building into a 90-centimetre dump over 10 days, with another storm front expected over the weekend. Mount Hotham has received more than 60cm of snow since Friday.


Australia’s highest lift ready as ski resort rivalries heat up after snow.