Industry News
With less than six weeks until the Australian ski season begins, Australia’s newest chairlift is already in motion.
At Charlotte Pass Snow Resort, the long-awaited Guthries Double Chair is now spinning, with chairs circulating the line for the first time following the completion of construction in late April. The milestone comes as resorts across the country count down to their traditional June long weekend openings — though Charlotte Pass, known for its high-alpine setting and snow-dependent access, often opens later.
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Just weeks ago, the lift was still in its final construction phase. By March, crews had installed the top station operator hut, bullwheel, tensioning system and all seven towers, leaving only the technically demanding process of hauling and splicing the cable and attaching chairs. That work is now complete, and the lift has entered testing and commissioning — the final stage before it can carry passengers.
The progress marks a turning point for a project that faced unexpected delays last year. SnowBrains previously reported that the chair’s opening was pushed back from 2025 to 2026 due to regulatory challenges that forced Charlotte Pass to halt construction. Lucy Blyton-Gray, general manager of Charlotte Pass Snow Resort, emphasized at the time that the delay was out of the resort’s control, stating that “Our team worked tirelessly alongside Doppelmayr to stay on track, but unfortunately, the extended approvals process — beyond our control — created unavoidable delays.”
Now, with chairs moving steadily against the Snowy Mountains backdrop, those troubles are firmly in the past, and its time to look ahead to the 2026 season.
For Charlotte Pass — the highest ski resort in Australia with the valley station located at at 1,765 meters (5,790 feet) — the new lift is expected to significantly improve access to the Guthries terrain while easing congestion on existing infrastructure. With winter fast approaching, Australia’s newest chairlift is no longer a worksite — it’s up and running, waiting for the snow to arrive.
Charlotte Pass is scheduled to open on Saturday, June 20.
