Skiing in the Australian Capital Territory

Snow on the Brindabella Ranges, August 2012.

Skiing in the Australian Capital Territory refers to snow skiing in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Cross country skiing can be possible in the Brindabella Ranges, which rise to the west of Canberra, in the ACT, and include the Namadgi National Park and Bimberi Nature Reserve. Mount Franklin Chalet, built in 1938, in the ACT 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).[1] Cross Country skiing is also practised at Mount Gingera.[2][3] Snow play and limited ski 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

Alpine National Parks of the Australian mainland
The road to Mount Franklin, ACT, was built by the Canberra Alpine Club in the 1930s.

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.[4] 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 ACT.[5]

The most northerly ski fields in Australia are located in the ACT – in the Brindabella Ranges west of Australia's capital city, Canberra. Namadgi National Park in the ACT and Bimberi Nature Reserve and Brindabella National Park in New South Wales are located in the Brindabellas. 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.[6]

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:[7]

“ Regularly-conducted Alpine Sports on the mountain range which forms the western boundary between the Federal Capital Territory and New South Wales are to be added to the attractions of Canberra. The Canberra Alpine Club, an enthusiastic body, which has a membership of about 80, has plans in hand which, its members consider, will in the future make Canberra's ranges rival Mount Kosciuszko in popularity. ”

The Mount Franklin chalet was constructed at Mount Franklin in 1938 to service the Canberra Alpine Club.[8] Ski runs were cleared and ski tows were improvised.[9] 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.[10]

Built 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.[11] 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.[12] 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.[2][3]

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.[13]

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:[14]

“ Ski touring is a minor activity in Namadgi as snowfall is only adequate for skiing for short periods in winter and spring. In most years, snow play can occur over several weeks, even if snow is present in small patches on the higher peaks...

No facilities exist for alpine or downhill skiing within Namadgi, although there is a history of downhill skiing associated with the Canberra Alpine Ski Club and the Mt Franklin Chalet (destroyed in the 2003 bushfires). It is unlikely that Namadgi will be suitable for this activity in the future as climate change is causing conditions to become less favourable. More suitable locations exist and opportunities are available within Kosciuszko National Park.

 ”

The Australian High Country is populated by unique flora and fauna including wombats, wallabies, echidnas, and the Snow Gum.[15] The Alpine regions are subject to environmental protection, which has limited the scope of commercial development of skiiable terrain,[16] however Australia has extensive cross country skiing terrain.[17][18]

List of skiing locations

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Skiing in the Australian Capital Territory.
The city of Canberra looking towards the Brindabella Ranges.

See also

Footnotes and references

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