Industry News
At a special event at the Perisher Valley Hotel today, 22 organisations and community members gathered to celebrate their successful grant application as part of the opening weekend Mt Perisher Double Chairlift auction, which raised $312,988 to support youth initiatives, environmental projects, and the broader local community.
“One of Vail Resorts Australia’s core values is “Do Good”, and we couldn’t be happier we are able to support these initiatives. It’s been such a lovely day meeting with all the recipients and hearing more about their plans,” said Nathan Butterworth, Vice President & General Manager Perisher Ski Resort. “Thanks should be extended to NSW National Parks and Wildlife for allowing the auction of the chairs to go ahead.”
The grant recipients were formally announced on Sunday, 8 September, at the Perisher Valley Hotel in Perisher Valley. The diverse group of organisations that will benefit from these funds are outlined below:
| Organisation | Purpose of funds granted |
| Berridale OOSHC | Facilities upgrades |
| Jindabyne Public School + High School | Sports uniforms, BBQ/kitchen equipment |
| Jindabyne Public School | Sun safety |
| LAOKO | Emergency preparedness & rescue kits |
| Jindabyne Bushpigs | Facilities upgrades |
| Scouts (Kosciuszko) | White water kayaks |
| Rob Kneller Youth Foundation | Accessible equipment program |
| Disabled Winter Sports Australia | Smiggins Hub fit out/equipment update |
| Jindabyne Cricket Club | Junior cricket equipment |
| Cooma Public School | Playground upgrade |
| Australian Mogul Ski Club Inc | Development fund, Ngarigo Cup |
| Lambie Street Preschool | Yarning circle |
| NSW/ACT XC | Schools program |
| Perisher Historical Society | Digitisation of records |
| Jindabyne Trail Stewardship | Trail maintenance |
| Jindabyne Little Athletics | Equipment upgrade |
| Jindabyne Cycling Club | Events program |
| Jindabyne Sailing Club | Facilities upgrade |
| Jindabyne Fire Brigade | Technology upgrade |
| Bega Lands Council | Youth café project |
| Destination Jindabyne | Light Up Jindabyne |
| Berridale Public School | Music education program |
It will be heartening to see each community project come to life with the funds raised through the auction of Mt Perisher Double Chairlift with the initiative underscoring Perisher’s commitment to positively impacting the community and preserving the environment.
“As a registered charity, we are dependent on grant money for funding social and community programs,” said Leanne Atkinson, CEO Bega Local Aboriginal Land Council. “One hundred per cent of the funds we receive from the Mt Perisher Double Chair Grant will go to provide opportunities for Aboriginal young people, providing tangible outcomes for Closing the Gap.”
The Mt Perisher Double Chairlift, Perisher’s first-ever chairlift, was a two-seater, fixed-grip lift that began serving skiers in 1961. This iconic piece of Perisher’s history provided countless memories and represented a major milestone in Australian skiing. Its decommissioning in 2024 marks the end of an era, but also heralds the beginning of a new chapter with the construction of the high-speed, six-seater Mt Perisher 6 Chairlift, set to open in the 2025 snow season.
The new Mt Perisher 6 Chairlift, with its highest lifted point in Australia at 2,042 meters (6,699 feet), will further enhance the skiing experience at Perisher by improving resort capacity and reducing lift wait times.
