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Winter Down Under-Land
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By: Nella Scott, Issue 39 – Winter 2009
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(New in 2009 Skiing - Australia and New Zealand)
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NELLA SCOTT DISCOVERS THE LATEST IMPROVEMENTS AND ACCOMMODATION THIS SEASON HAS TO OFFER AT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND’S MOST POPULAR SKI RESORTS.
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With a whopping 1,245 hectares of skiable terrain, Perisher is the largest ski resort in Australia. Made up of four resort areas, the resort is taking on a new name as it heads into the 2009 season. Leaving behind the Perisher Blue moniker, the amalgamated resort is now branded solely as Perisher, and has announced plans to refurbish the Perisher Village Centre to make it more accessible for guests who use the centre as a base during the day. Increased snowmaking capacity is also part of a three-year, $19-million expansion, which has started in 2009 with new snowmaking infrastructure added to the Happy Valley area, and top to bottom of the Towers Run on Mt Perisher. The $5.7 million spent so far this season has seen the resort’s snowmaking capacity grow to 271 snow guns, with 100 groomed trails now available. Although the resort does own two accommodation properties, including the boutique ski-in, ski-out Perisher Valley Hotel, a majority of the accommodation choices around Perisher are privately owned.
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Family friendly Charlotte Pass is the smallest resort in Australia, but don’t discount it for its size. The remote, five-lift resort is the highest in the country and completely snowbound meaning it can only be accessed by oversnow transport from Perisher Valley. The limited access keeps the crowds away with very few day visitors and most guests booking into one of the resort’s 16 ski-in, ski-out properties for longer stays. Built in 1938, the historical Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel is the most well known of the resort’s properties, with superior rooms and suites, à la carte dining, and two bars to keep guests from all over the resort entertained during the après hours. For a restaurant view of the slopes however, nearby Stillwell Lodge has Spencers Restaurant, a licensed à la carte eatery where slope-side gourmet barbecues are a specialty on sunny days. The only lodge open year round, Stillwell has floor-to-ceiling glass windows that provide a panoramic view of the resort, and at night the open fire and comfortable lounge room setting make dinner cosy and relaxed.
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At 5.9 kilometres, Thredbo’s longest run is streaks ahead of anything the other resorts have to offer. The village itself may be the lowest in the country, but its epic downhill trails and majority intermediate terrain make it worth the risk when it comes to the quality of snow coverage on the lower mountain. The resort has also invested $2 million to improve snowmaking facilities in 2009, and the upgrade is estimated to produce 600,000 cubic metres of snow, or enough to cover 60 average size football fields in one metre of snow. Thredbo’s newest apartment development, The Peak at Thredbo, is architecturally designed with large glass windows allowing light into every room and showing off views of the slopes. The complex has one-bedroom to three-bedroom-plusloft apartments with undercover car parking, stone and timber flooring, full kitchens, marble bathrooms, and kids retreats.
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Mt Buller is just three hours from Melbourne international airport, making it one of the most easily accessible resorts in the country. Popular with both day-trippers and holidaymakers, the resort has 300 hectares of skiable terrain and several high-end, ski-in, ski-out properties. The awardwinning Hotel Pension Grimus is located in the heart of the village just 50 metres from the Holden six-seat chairlift, and private chalets are available for those wanting absolute privacy. Breathtaker All Suite Hotel and Alpine Spa Retreat has six treatment rooms providing massages, facials, and body wraps for those who prefer indoor relaxation to the chilly downhill pursuits Mt Buller has to offer.
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The culinary fare at Mt Buller is also nothing to sneeze at, with Snow Pony restaurant and bar celebrating its second year in the resort. Part of the Timbuktu development that was completed last season, the restaurant provides both à la carte and tapas dining options. It also features a ski-in, ski-out coffee bar. Black Cockatoo Restaurant has been established as one of Mt Buller’s best restaurants for years, but the resort favourite is upping the stakes in 2009 by welcoming renowned executive chef Marcus van Clute to its kitchen. Previously creating dishes at some of Australia’s most exclusive holiday destinations, including Hamilton Island and El Questro Homestead, van Clute brings a new menu that utilises local produce to Black Cockatoo.
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With an average seasonal snowfall of four metres, Falls Creek has the highest and most reliable annual snowfall in the country and offers a wide variety of snow-related activities including snowmobile tours and heli-skiing. New groomers, increased snowmaking capacity, and a new luxury resort are the latest and greatest at the resort for the 2009 season.
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Luxury property developer Zacamoco has just opened Quay West Resort & Spa Falls Creek and the property is Australia’s only drive-in, drive-out, ski-in, ski-out luxury resort. With amazing views of the valley and mountains, gourmet dining establishments, and a world-class spa, Quay West is part of over $60 million of real estate being developed in the area. Pushing for more sustainable travel and tourism, Falls Creek has also recently invested in energy efficient facilities including new snowmaking guns and a new environmentally friendly snow groomer.
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After a successful first season last year, the resort will also majority intermediate terrain make it worth the risk when it comes to the quality of snow coverage on the lower mountain. The resort has also invested $2 million to improve snowmaking facilities in 2009, and the upgrade is estimated to produce 600,000 cubic metres of snow, or enough to cover 60 average size football fields in one metre of snow.
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The highest alpine village in Victoria, Mt Hotham was the first Victorian resort to open its lifts for the 2009 season. With equal amounts of intermediate and advanced terrain, and three challenging terrain parks, there is plenty of action on the slopes. For the less adventurous there are mountaintop bars and restaurants to relax in and a day spa with spectacular views. From July 24-29 there will also be an influx of food aficionados into the mountaintop village when the Mountain Fresh Festival showcases regional food and cool climate wines at the restaurants of Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain. For ease of access, Mount Hotham’s own airport is just 20km away, and QantasLink flies regularly between Sydney and Hotham during peak season and most accommodations provide transfers for guests. A new alpine public transport system will also make getting around the resort easier in 2009.
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Across the Tasman, skiers and après skiers are drawn to the spectacular Southern Alps of New Zealand. From family friendly Cardrona to the extreme runs of Treble Cone and The Remarkables, New Zealand offers a range of snow experiences. Tentative skiers can snowplough on the gently rolling hills of the beginner’s slopes, and those mad for the adrenalin rush have plenty of chutes, rock drops and natural half-pipes to choose from.
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Just 18kms of sturdy sealed road from Queenstown and the epicentre of the South Island’s ski culture, the diverse rolling terrain of Coronet Peak has attracted skiers, and more recently snowboarders, for nearly 60 years. Last season welcomed heavy snowfalls and the completion of a multimillion dollar facelift for Coronet Peak’s Base Lodge including the opening of a VIP lounge where for NZ$7000, a group of about 30 people have private access to a luxurious lounge, complimentary bar, season passes, priority in the lift lines and unlimited parking at the lodge. For 2009 the resort has opened a new snowmaking reservoir to improve water stocks and get better use of the fully automated snowmaking system that makes abundant snow across the entire mountain. Great for families and beginner skiers, with more challenging runs for those who like a bit of adventure, the ski area has the longest on-snow hours in the country, giving those keen to get the first and freshest tracks of the day an early start, and shutting down the night skiing well after dark.
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The craggy peaks that make up The Remarkables provide plenty of on-snow excitement including narrow chutes, rock drops and a whole lot of powder for those who prefer either the on-piste action or the wild adventure of the unkempt backcountry. While visitors are sure to witness some serious air at the ‘The Stash’, the area’s kilometre-long terrain park, beginners need not be intimidated. Despite a formidable reputation and a penchant for attracting adrenalin junkies from all over the world, The Remarkables also has some gentle terrain for the inexperienced skier and two new magic carpet conveyer belt lifts that take the stress out of tricky t-bars and problematic chair lifts. There are also brand new 4x4 coaches that provide free transport from the Snow Centre in Queenstown to the resort for those with full day and multi-day passes.
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Occupying 365 hectares of pristine terrain and catering to skiers and snowboarders of every ability, Mt Hutt is a large bowl with glorious views across the Canterbury Plains to Mt Cook on a clear day. For the 2009 season at Mt Hutt a brand new high-speed six-seat chairlift has been installed which will travel from the base to the top of the mountain in less than five minutes. Mt Hutt will also add two new state-of-the-art snow groomers (part of the largest shipment ever to arrive in New Zealand) to allow for more expansive grooming across the resort. From Christchurch Mt Hutt is an easy 90-minute drive but most visitors choose to stay in the tiny town of Methven which is well equipped to accommodate winter tourists.
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Home to the largest half-pipe this side of the equator, Cardrona Alpine Resort is one of the only resorts in New Zealand where guests can stay right on the mountain. The skiin, ski-out self-catered apartments are just a one-minute walk to the lifts, and the convenience they offer means they are booked months in advance with many loyal guests returning year after year. The 2009 season comes with a new incentive for those who crave adventure. The creation of a fresh trail down the Arcadia Basin will expand the skiable terrain for advanced skiers and boarders who want a bit more of a challenge in a resort dominated by intermediate runs. Improvements have also been made to the 22-foot Olympicsized super pipe and freestyle ski areas in preparation for the inaugural Winter Games NZ which will take place at Cardrona, Coronet Peak, and The Remarkables, from August 21 – 30. The resort also claims to have the best kids’ club in the Southern Hemisphere.
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The longest groomed trails and highest vertical rise in the South Island belong to Treble Cone – a skier’s paradise with awe-inspiring views across Lake Wanaka and Mt Aspiring. Originally a rustic resort attracting only those seeking extreme experiences, Treble Cone now attracts the après crowd who love to sup on good strong coffee and hot chocolate. The skiing and boarding is still extreme however, with natural halfpipes, rock drops, kickers, and a whopping 90 per cent of terrain belonging to intermediate and advanced skiers and boarders. For those with the stamina, the longest run is 4.3kms starting at Tim’s Table and finishing at the base lodge where you’re sure to find a rewarding drink. Beginners should not be intimidated by the resort’s reputation however, there are learner slopes at Treble Cone and this year the resort is offering free access to the learner lifts to encourage those who haven’t yet mastered the skills to find out what it has to offer.
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From gently rolling beginners’ runs to adrenalin-inducing rock drops and chutes, there is plenty of on- and off-piste action and new luxury experiences to be had in Australia and New Zealand this year.
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Details:
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Australian Resorts:
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Perisher
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Charlotte Pass
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Thredbo
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Mt Buller
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Falls Creek
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Mt Hotham
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Mountain Fresh Festival
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New Zealand Resorts:
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Coronet Peak
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The Remarkables
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Mt Hutt
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Cardrona Alpine Resort
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Treble Cone
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Winter Games NZ
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