Industry News
A long-awaited $3 million infrastructure upgrade at Australia’s highest-situated ski resort will have to wait another year. Charlotte Pass Snow Resort, Australia, announced on April 16, 2025, that the new Guthries Double Chair, initially slated to open for the 2025 winter season, will not be operational until winter 2026 due to regulatory delays.
The lift, constructed by Austrian manufacturer Doppelmayr, is designed to enhance access to advanced terrain and boost lift efficiency at the remote alpine resort, which lies deep in New South Wales’ Snowy Mountains. But despite steady on-site progress, the project has been held up by what the resort describes as “late-stage” demands from government authorities for additional documentation unrelated to the chairlift’s physical construction.
“We have done everything in our power to get Guthries open for Winter 2025,” Lucy Blyton-Gray, general manager of Charlotte Pass Snow Resort, said in a statement. “Our team worked tirelessly alongside Doppelmayr to stay on track, but unfortunately, the extended approvals process—beyond our control—created unavoidable delays.”
Charlotte Pass, which sits at 1,765 meters (5,790 feet) and can only be accessed by oversnow transport in winter, is known for its heritage as one of Australia’s oldest ski areas. The resort, named after Charlotte Adams—the first European woman to climb Mount Kosciuszko—offers uncrowded slopes and backcountry access but has faced infrastructure limitations compared to larger resorts like Perisher and Thredbo.
Construction on the new chair began with optimism, but a development application (DA) condition imposed by the New South Wales Department of Planning has forced all work to stop as of April 30, 2025—one month earlier than similar restrictions placed on other alpine developments in the region. This halt in activity, which extends through October, effectively pushed the completion timeline beyond the 2025 ski season.
According to the resort’s press release, construction efforts will now focus on environmental rehabilitation at the bottom station and tower locations 1 through 4. Blyton-Gray emphasized the resort’s commitment to sustainability and guest experience, saying the lift will be delivered “to the highest standards.”
“We know how excited our guests and community are about this 3-million-dollar upgrade, and we share that excitement,” Blyton-Gray said. “We thank everyone for their patience and support as we work through the final stages and look forward to unveiling the new chair for Winter 2026.”
The delay is a setback for a resort that has relied heavily on aging infrastructure, but the promise of improved access to advanced terrain signals a step forward for Charlotte Pass in the long run—just not as soon as many had hoped.
