If there’s one thing Australians do well, it’s mixing the sacred with the practical. Case in point: the grand opening of Mt Perisher 6 — a shiny new $26 million chairlift that’s as much a feat of engineering as it is a cultural tribute, a sporting nod, and a snow-dusted feather in the cap of the Snowy Mountains.

Perisher, Australia’s largest ski resort, wasn’t about to christen its newest high-speed detachable six-seater with a quiet press release and a soggy sausage sizzle. Oh no — not on your Ngarigo Country life. They did it the old-fashioned way, with reverence, ribbon, and a rousing Welcome to Country.

A Lift That Starts on Sacred Ground

The day opened not with steel and schematics but with soul. Ngarigo Elders led a solemn yet stirring Smoking Ceremony, followed by a cultural performance from the mesmerising Bega Rivers Dance Group — a graceful reminder that these slopes are more than snowfields; they are ancient, living landscapes. As the sweet scent of eucalyptus smoke curled into the mountain air, it was clear this wasn’t just about chairlift logistics. This was about legacy.

Snipping the Ribbon and the Waiting Times

Once the ceremonial embers cooled, the scissors were ready. Perisher brass, snowsport luminaries, and construction workers gathered at the base station to cut the ribbon and shorten those infamous lift queues.

“This project is a fantastic example of how investment in regional infrastructure can drive economic growth and create local jobs,” said Kristy McBain, Federal Member for Eden-Monaro, looking justifiably proud. “The Mt Perisher 6 Chairlift is not only a boost for tourism but a long-term win for the Snowy Mountains community.”

And she’s not wrong. The lift promises to thin the morning mayhem and speed skiers to the top of Mt Perisher with all the efficiency of a Swiss rail clock — albeit with more snow and fewer chocolate ads.

From Frosty Construction to Frosty Celebrations

Let’s spare a thought for the crews who built this beast. Constructed through scorching summers and brisk autumns that bite at your ankles like a cranky echidna, the chairlift emerged stoically from the rocky spine of the Aussie Alps.

Doppelmayr Australia’s General Manager, Shaun Turner, the man behind the mechanics, spoke like a proud parent:
“Mt Perisher 6 represents the latest in lift technology. It’s designed for comfort, speed and reliability — and it can handle whatever this mountain throws at it.”

Frankly, it would want to. This isn’t Switzerland — it’s Australia, where conditions change faster than an NRL coach’s job security.

Olympic Dreams on the Rise

The timing is gold for Olympic silver medallist and Perisher local Matt Graham.
“With the 2026 Winter Olympics just around the corner, the opening of Mt Perisher 6 couldn’t be better,” he said. “It’s a world-class lift that will support athlete training and help inspire the next generation of Aussie winter sports talent.”

In a sport where seconds count and altitude equals advantage, this chairlift isn’t just a mechanical marvel — it’s a ticket to the podium.

A Lift with Conscience and Culture

Nathan Butterworth, Vice President and General Manager of Perisher, summed up the sentiment with a clarity befitting the snow-swept mountaintop:

“We feel a deep responsibility to create a legacy that respects the land and its Traditional Custodians. The investment into Mt Perisher 6 is about more than just infrastructure — it’s about elevating the guest experience while honouring the cultural and environmental significance of this region.”

This was a refreshing blend of progress and preservation in an era when development too often steamrolls over meaning.

The Cold Hard Facts

• Mt Perisher 6 is a six-seater, high-speed detachable chairlift — comfort and capacity in one alpine package.

• The project marks a $26 million investment in Perisher’s winter infrastructure.

• Lift lines? Shorter. Smiles? Wider. Access to Mt Perisher has never been smoother.

Final Run

In true Needham fashion, let’s call it what it is: a rare moment where everyone — politicians, skiers, First Nations elders, engineers, Olympians and tourists — gathered at the same summit with a shared grin. That, in itself, is a minor miracle.

So next time you’re clipped into your bindings and soaring skyward on Mt Perisher 6, spare a nod to the builders, the dancers, the Elders, and the dreamers who made it possible. Because in our snow-globe world, it’s nice to be reminded that some lifts carry more than just people — they have purpose.

For more: www.perisher.com.au.

By Octavia Koo

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