Skiing in the Australian Capital Territory
Encyclopedia
Skiing in the Australian Capital Territory refers to snow skiing in the Australian Capital Territory
(A.C.T.). Cross country skiing can be possible in the Brindabella Ranges
which rise to the west of Canberra
, in the A.C.T, and include the Namadgi National Park
and Bimberi Nature Reserve
. Mount Franklin Chalet, built in 1938, in the A.C.T. played a pioneering role in providing lifted ski runs in Australia, however the chalet was converted to a museum and subsequently destroyed by fire in 2003, so today only cross country skiing can be practised in the area (when conditions allow). Cross Country skiing is also practised at Mount Gingera
. Snow play facilities exist at Corin Forest. The more extensive and developed New South Wales skifields are located south-west of the Territory.
The sport of snow Skiing in Australia
is now practised in three States: New South Wales
, Victoria
and Tasmania
, as well as in the Australian Capital Territory
, during the Southern Hemisphere
winter. Skiable terrain stretches through large areas of territory from June to October and a number of well serviced resorts have been developed in the States, but none currently exist within the A.C.T..
The most northerly ski fields in Australia are located in the A.C.T.
- in the Brindabella Ranges
which rise to the west of Canberra
, the capital city of Australia, and include the Namadgi National Park
in the A.C.T. and Bimberi Nature Reserve
and Brindabella National Park
in New South Wales
. The highest mountain in the ACT is Bimberi Peak
, which lies above the treeline at 1912 metres, at the northern edge of the Snowy Mountains
.
In the 1930s, with construction of the new capital city of Canberra underway, Canberrans explored the possibilities for developing skiing and snow sports in the Brindabellas. On 30 June 1936, the Canberra Times newspaper reported:
The Mount Franklin chalet was constructed at Mount Franklin in 1938 to service the Canberra Alpine Club. Ski runs were cleared and ski tows were improvised. The Club also cleared runs elsewhere, completing a new ski run and jump on nearby Mount Ginini
in 1951 - then judged to be the superior slope.
Build on leased land, the Mount Franklin Chalet reverted to the Government when Namadgi National Park
was created in 1984 and later operated as a museum before being destroyed in the 2003 bushfires
. A new shelter designed and built by University of Adelaide students opened in 2008. Today, cross country skiing is possible in the area, when conditions allow. Cross Country skiing is also practised at Mount Gingera
, which rises above the city of Canberra to an elevation of 1855m, and is the most prominent snow covered peak above the city.
Today, snow play is available at Corin Forest, near Canberra, at an elevation of 1200m. A development plan was drafted following the 2003 Canberra bushfires which would see three 600m chairlifts installed together with snowmaking
facilities and accommodation at this site.
The Namadgi National Park
Draft Management Plan (September 2005) for the Namadgi National Park
downplayed the future development of skiing as a sport in the Park:
The Australian High Country is populated by unique flora and fauna including wombats, wallabies
, echidnas, and the Snow Gum. The Alpine regions are subject to environmental protection, which has limited the scope of commercial development of skiiable terrain, however Australia has extensive cross country skiing terrain.
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
(A.C.T.). Cross country skiing can be possible in the Brindabella Ranges
Brindabella Ranges
The Brindabella Range is a mountain range located on the border between New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Australia. The ranges rise to the west of Canberra, the capital city of Australia, and include the Namadgi National Park in the A.C.T. and Bimberi Nature Reserve and...
which rise to the west of Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, in the A.C.T, and include the Namadgi National Park
Namadgi National Park
Namadgi National Park is located in the southwestern part of the Australian Capital Territory, bordering Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales. It lies approximately 40 km southwest of Canberra, and makes up approximately 46% of the ACT's land area....
and Bimberi Nature Reserve
Bimberi Nature Reserve
The Bimberi Nature Reserve is a reserve that comprises part of the Brindabella Ranges about 30 kilometres south-west of Canberra. It lies between Namadgi and Kosciuszko National Parks...
. Mount Franklin Chalet, built in 1938, in the A.C.T. played a pioneering role in providing lifted ski runs in Australia, however the chalet was converted to a museum and subsequently destroyed by fire in 2003, so today only cross country skiing can be practised in the area (when conditions allow). Cross Country skiing is also practised at Mount Gingera
Mount Gingera
Mount Gingera is the second highest mountain in the Australian Capital Territory. The mountain is the most prominent snow covered peak to be seen from Canberra in winter. It is part of the Brindabella Ranges on the border of the ACT and New South Wales...
. Snow play facilities exist at Corin Forest. The more extensive and developed New South Wales skifields are located south-west of the Territory.
History and major locations
Skiing in Australia
Skiing in Australia takes place in the high country of the states of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, as well as in the Australian Capital Territory, during the Southern Hemisphere winter....
is now practised in three States: New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
and Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
, as well as in the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
, during the Southern Hemisphere
Southern Hemisphere
The Southern Hemisphere is the part of Earth that lies south of the equator. The word hemisphere literally means 'half ball' or "half sphere"...
winter. Skiable terrain stretches through large areas of territory from June to October and a number of well serviced resorts have been developed in the States, but none currently exist within the A.C.T..
The most northerly ski fields in Australia are located in the A.C.T.
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
- in the Brindabella Ranges
Brindabella Ranges
The Brindabella Range is a mountain range located on the border between New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Australia. The ranges rise to the west of Canberra, the capital city of Australia, and include the Namadgi National Park in the A.C.T. and Bimberi Nature Reserve and...
which rise to the west of Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, the capital city of Australia, and include the Namadgi National Park
Namadgi National Park
Namadgi National Park is located in the southwestern part of the Australian Capital Territory, bordering Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales. It lies approximately 40 km southwest of Canberra, and makes up approximately 46% of the ACT's land area....
in the A.C.T. and Bimberi Nature Reserve
Bimberi Nature Reserve
The Bimberi Nature Reserve is a reserve that comprises part of the Brindabella Ranges about 30 kilometres south-west of Canberra. It lies between Namadgi and Kosciuszko National Parks...
and Brindabella National Park
Brindabella National Park
Brindabella National Park is a national park in New South Wales, Australia, 267 km southwest of Sydney in the Brindabella Ranges.On 7 November 2008 The Park was added to the Australian National Heritage List as one of eleven areas constituting the Australian Alps National Parks and...
in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. The highest mountain in the ACT is Bimberi Peak
Bimberi Peak
Bimberi Peak or Mount Bimberi is the highest mountain in the Australian Capital Territory at 1912 metres. It is located on the border between New South Wales and the ACT, the NSW portion in Kosciuszko National Park and the ACT portion in Namadgi National Park...
, which lies above the treeline at 1912 metres, at the northern edge of the Snowy Mountains
Snowy Mountains
The Snowy Mountains, known informally as "The Snowies", are the highest Australian mountain range and contain the Australian mainland's highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko, which reaches 2,228 metres AHD, approximately 7310 feet....
.
In the 1930s, with construction of the new capital city of Canberra underway, Canberrans explored the possibilities for developing skiing and snow sports in the Brindabellas. On 30 June 1936, the Canberra Times newspaper reported:
The Mount Franklin chalet was constructed at Mount Franklin in 1938 to service the Canberra Alpine Club. Ski runs were cleared and ski tows were improvised. The Club also cleared runs elsewhere, completing a new ski run and jump on nearby Mount Ginini
Mount Ginini
Mount Ginini is a mountain on the border between the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales. It is located in Bimberi Nature Reserve and Namadgi National Park. At 1762 m it is one of the highest mountains in the ACT. It is often climbed by bushwalkers from Corin Dam, as it is a few hours...
in 1951 - then judged to be the superior slope.
Build on leased land, the Mount Franklin Chalet reverted to the Government when Namadgi National Park
Namadgi National Park
Namadgi National Park is located in the southwestern part of the Australian Capital Territory, bordering Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales. It lies approximately 40 km southwest of Canberra, and makes up approximately 46% of the ACT's land area....
was created in 1984 and later operated as a museum before being destroyed in the 2003 bushfires
2003 Canberra bushfires
The Canberra bushfires of 2003 caused severe damage to the outskirts of Canberra, the Australian capital city. Almost 70% of the Australian Capital Territory’s pasture, forests and nature parks were severely damaged, and most of the renowned Mount Stromlo Observatory was destroyed...
. A new shelter designed and built by University of Adelaide students opened in 2008. Today, cross country skiing is possible in the area, when conditions allow. Cross Country skiing is also practised at Mount Gingera
Mount Gingera
Mount Gingera is the second highest mountain in the Australian Capital Territory. The mountain is the most prominent snow covered peak to be seen from Canberra in winter. It is part of the Brindabella Ranges on the border of the ACT and New South Wales...
, which rises above the city of Canberra to an elevation of 1855m, and is the most prominent snow covered peak above the city.
Today, snow play is available at Corin Forest, near Canberra, at an elevation of 1200m. A development plan was drafted following the 2003 Canberra bushfires which would see three 600m chairlifts installed together with snowmaking
Snowmaking
Snowmaking is the production of snow by forcing water and pressurized air through a "snow gun" or "snow cannon", on ski slopes. Snowmaking is mainly used at ski resorts to supplement natural snow. This allows ski resorts to improve the reliability of their snow cover and to extend their ski...
facilities and accommodation at this site.
The Namadgi National Park
Namadgi National Park
Namadgi National Park is located in the southwestern part of the Australian Capital Territory, bordering Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales. It lies approximately 40 km southwest of Canberra, and makes up approximately 46% of the ACT's land area....
Draft Management Plan (September 2005) for the Namadgi National Park
Namadgi National Park
Namadgi National Park is located in the southwestern part of the Australian Capital Territory, bordering Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales. It lies approximately 40 km southwest of Canberra, and makes up approximately 46% of the ACT's land area....
downplayed the future development of skiing as a sport in the Park:
The Australian High Country is populated by unique flora and fauna including wombats, wallabies
Wallaby
A wallaby is any of about thirty species of macropod . It is an informal designation generally used for any macropod that is smaller than a kangaroo or wallaroo that has not been given some other name.-Overview:...
, echidnas, and the Snow Gum. The Alpine regions are subject to environmental protection, which has limited the scope of commercial development of skiiable terrain, however Australia has extensive cross country skiing terrain.
List of skiing locations
- Australian Capital Territory
- Namadgi National ParkNamadgi National ParkNamadgi National Park is located in the southwestern part of the Australian Capital Territory, bordering Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales. It lies approximately 40 km southwest of Canberra, and makes up approximately 46% of the ACT's land area....
- Mount GininiMount GininiMount Ginini is a mountain on the border between the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales. It is located in Bimberi Nature Reserve and Namadgi National Park. At 1762 m it is one of the highest mountains in the ACT. It is often climbed by bushwalkers from Corin Dam, as it is a few hours...
- Mount Franklin
- Mount GingeraMount GingeraMount Gingera is the second highest mountain in the Australian Capital Territory. The mountain is the most prominent snow covered peak to be seen from Canberra in winter. It is part of the Brindabella Ranges on the border of the ACT and New South Wales...
- Mount Ginini
- Namadgi National Park
Gallery
See also
- Skiing in AustraliaSkiing in AustraliaSkiing in Australia takes place in the high country of the states of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, as well as in the Australian Capital Territory, during the Southern Hemisphere winter....
- Skiing in Victoria, AustraliaSkiing in Victoria, AustraliaSkiing in Victoria, Australia takes place in the Australian Alps located in the State of Victoria during the southern hemisphere winter. Victoria is the State with the greatest number of ski resorts in Australia. The highest peak in Victoria is Mount Bogong at 1986m. The first ski tow was...
- Skiing in New South WalesSkiing in New South WalesSkiing in New South Wales takes place in the high country of the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales during the Southern Hemisphere winter.Skiing began in Australia at the goldrush town of Kiandra, New South Wales around 1861...
- Skiing in TasmaniaSkiing in TasmaniaSkiing in Tasmania takes place in the high country of the state of Tasmania, Australia, during the Southern Hemisphere winter. Cross country skiing is possible within the Tasmanian Wilderness and two small downhill ski-fields have been developed at Ben Lomond and Mount Mawson...
- List of ski areas and resorts in Australia
- Winter sport in AustraliaWinter sport in AustraliaWinter Sports in Australia encompasses a great variety of activities across the continent of Australia, including winter sports played in snow and ice. Climate varies considerably from the tropical North to temperate South in Australia, and sporting practices vary accordingly...
External links
- Canberra Alpine Club
- Canberra Cross Country Ski Club
- Corin Forest Mountain Retreat on visitcanberra.com.au
- Australian Alps National Parks
- Snowy Hydro Snow Depth Charts
- Bureau of Meteorology Climate Education
- Cross Country Skiing Australia
- Australian Ski Lift Directory. Details of all of the 400 ski lifts that have been built in Australia.