Skiing in Tasmania

The Summit Run, Ben Lomond, Tasmania

Skiing in Tasmania takes place in the high country of the state of Tasmania, Australia, during the Southern Hemisphere winter. Cross country skiing is possible within the Tasmanian Wilderness and two small downhill ski-fields have been developed at Ben Lomond and Mount Mawson. Mount Ossa is the highest point on the island at 1617m but Tasmania has eight mountains exceeding 1500m.

History and major locations

Tasmania is a mountainous island, south of the Australian mainland.

Skiing in Australia takes place in three States: New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania; as well as in the Australian Capital Territory, during the Southern Hemisphere winter.[1] Skiable terrain stretches through large areas of territory from June to October and a number of well serviced resorts have been developed, including: Thredbo, Perisher and Charlotte Pass in New South Wales; Mount Buller, Falls Creek and Mount Hotham in Victoria; as well as the small resorts of Ben Lomond and Mount Mawson in Tasmania.[2]

The most southerly ski fields in Australia are located in Tasmania, a mountainous island off the southern coast of Eastern Australia. Much of the State is subject to at least occasional winter snows. Mount Ossa is the highest point on the island at 1617m but Tasmania has eight mountains exceeding 1500 m and 28 above 1,220 m. Also notable is the Central Plateau, at an elevation of around 900 m. The capital city of Hobart is built at the base of Mount Wellington, which at 1270 m is snow-capped in winter.[3]

Ben Lomond

Tasmania's premier Alpine skiing operations are located at Ben Lomond, 60 km from Launceston.[4] Its season usually begins in mid-July and in peak season, its runs are served by seven lifts.[5]

Located in the Ben Lomond National Park, the village is at 1460 m and the top elevation is 1570 m.[6] The Northern Tasmanian Alpine Club formed in 1929 and pioneered trips to the mountain - improving and improved the access track. In 1932, a chalet was built at Carr Villa, and construction of a road from Upper Blessington to Carr Villa began soon after. It was finally completed in 1953.[7]

Top of Mount Mawson tow, Tasmania

In 1950 a Parliamentary Standing Committee recommended that Ben Lomond be developed as a ski resort. The Australian National Championships were held at the site in 1955. In 1963 the access road was extended to the top of the plateau via the steep and scenic "Jacobs Ladder". Subsequent developments have included new ski lifts, visitor facilities, a licensed inn and accommodation, sewerage system, and improved access. The Ben Lomond Skifield Management Authority was formed in 1995 to manage the Skifield Development Area.[7] Today, a number of club lodges provide accommodation and the mountain has fine views which stretch to the ocean.[8]

In 2010, the Department of Parks and Wildlife released a plan for the Ben Lomond ski area recommending snow making machines, the enhancement of snow play areas and the development of a possible snow board park.[9] Season 2011 saw the successful addition of a Super Wizard snowmaking machine at Ben Lomond, with an additional Super Wizard added for season 2012.[5]

Mount Mawson

Limited downhill ski operations also exist in the Mount Field National Park at Mount Mawson, which is approximately 89 kilometres north west of Hobart and rises from 1200m to 1320m altitude.[10] Mount Mawson is a small club field, located thirty minutes walk from its carpark. Mawson has three lifts: 2 intermediate rope tows and a third steep incline rope tow accessing steep terrain. A small amount of club accommodation is available and there are some self-catering huts in the National Park.[8]

Cross country and back country skiing

Cradle Mountain in Tasmania's UNESCO World Heritage Wilderness Area

When conditions allow, Australia's rugged island State of Tasmania also offers cross country skiers some scenic terrain. One of Australia's most scenic alpine locations is located in Tasmania at Cradle Mountain, where cross country skiing can be possible, when conditions allow. Cradle Mountain is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, inscribed by UNESCO in 1982.[11] Tasmania has 28 mountains above 1,220m and much of the island is subject to at least occasional winter snow.[3]

The Australian High Country is populated by unique flora and fauna including wombats, wallabies, echidnas, and the Snow Gum.[12] The Alpine regions are subject to environmental protection, which has limited the scope of commercial development of skiiable terrain,[13] however Australia has extensive cross country skiing terrain.[14][15]

List of downhill ski resorts

List of cross country and backcountry locations

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Skiing in Tasmania.

See also

Footnotes & References

  1. ↑ "Skiing & Highlands", Totaltravel Website, archived from the original on October 10, 2009, retrieved 2010-05-04
  2. ↑ Australian Bureau of Meteorology, "Climate Education", BOM Website, archived from the original on 17 March 2009, retrieved 2010-05-04
  3. 1 2 "1384.6 - Statistics - Tasmania, 2006". Abs.gov.au. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  4. ↑ http://www.ltvtasmania.com.au/content/view/14/74/
  5. 1 2
  6. ↑ "Ben Lomond | Ben Lomond Offpiste | Ben Lomond Piste Maps | Ben Lomond Snow Conditions". Skimountain.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  7. 1 2 "Parks & Wildlife Service - Highlights". Parks.tas.gov.au. 2013-09-24. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  8. 1 2 "Home and away". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2008-11-13.
  9. ↑ "Businesses want Govt snow job - ABC Northern Tasmania - Australian Broadcasting Corporation". Abc.net.au. 2010-07-02. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  10. ↑ http://stsa.webbed.com.au/
  11. ↑ "Parks & Wildlife Service - Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area". Parks.tas.gov.au. 2013-09-24. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  12. ↑ "50 reasons to love Australian snow". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2009-06-06.
  13. ↑ See "Kosciuszko National Park: Contemporary Management". New South Wales Department of Education and Training, Riverina Environmental Education Centre.
  14. ↑ "XC - The Australian cross country skiing site". Hoppet.com.au. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  15. ↑ "Australian Alps, NSW, ACT, VIC". Australia.com. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
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