The so-called ‘World’s Longest Chairlift’ (WLC) was built to solve a major transport problem for guests going to the Kociusko Chalet.  In those days, Chalet guests would park their cars at Sawpit Creek, take buses to Smiggin Holes and then oversnow transport to the Chalet.  The traffic arrangements were so chaotic that guests often took almost a day to reach the Chalet from Sawpit Creek. The new lift would allow guests to park below the snow-line on the Alpine Way and then reach the Chalet fairly quickly.

The adjacent plan shows the route of the WLC.  It was not a single lift but two, one of which started at the Chalet (top of plan) and the other on the Alpine Way, 6 km from Thredbo resort (bottom of plan). The top bull wheels of each lift were about 4 metres from each other under the Ramshead restaurant on top of the Ramshead or Crackenback Range.  

Starting at the Chalet, the lift rose to the ‘Main Range View’ station on the Stilwell Range and then proceeded across Wright’s Creek Valley and up to the ‘Top Station’ (Ramshead Restaurant) on the Crackenback Range. The second lift then proceeded to the Alpine Way via Bella Vista Station.

The so-called ‘World’s Longest Chairlift’ (WLC) was built to solve a major transport problem for guests going to the Kociusko Chalet.  In those days, Chalet guests would park their cars at Sawpit Creek, take buses to Smiggin Holes and then oversnow transport to the Chalet.  The traffic arrangements were so chaotic that guests often took almost a day to reach the Chalet from Sawpit Creek. The new lift would allow guests to park below the snow-line on the Alpine Way and then reach the Chalet fairly quickly.

The adjacent plan shows the route of the WLC.  It was not a single lift but two, one of which started at the Chalet (top of plan) and the other on the Alpine Way, 6 km from Thredbo resort (bottom of plan). The top bull wheels of each lift were about 4 metres from each other under the Ramshead restaurant on top of the Ramshead or Crackenback Range.  

Starting at the Chalet, the lift rose to the ‘Main Range View’ station on the Stilwell Range and then proceeded across Wright’s Creek Valley and up to the ‘Top Station’ (Ramshead Restaurant) on the Crackenback Range. The second lift then proceeded to the Alpine Way via Bella Vista Station.

In the top right of the photo the WLC passes over the Stilwell Range and the Main Range View Station (a small hut) can be seen where the lift crosses the range. Skiers could elect to get off at this station and ski back to the Chalet via the Woodrun or via Wright’s Creek.

In the top right of the photo the WLC passes over the Stilwell Range and the Main Range View Station (a small hut) can be seen where the lift crosses the range. Skiers could elect to get off at this station and ski back to the Chalet via the Woodrun or via Wright’s Creek.

Another view of Wright’s Creek valley shows the lift approaching the Wright’s Creek Station in the middle of the valley and, beyond it on the Crackenback Range, Top Station – Ramshead Restaurant

Another view of Wright’s Creek valley shows the lift approaching the Wright’s Creek Station in the middle of the valley and, beyond it on the Crackenback Range, Top Station – Ramshead Restaurant

When it existed, the Ramshead Restaurant was the highest in Australia and had a spectacular 360 degree view of the alps. It also housed the two bull wheels at the top of both lifts. Skiers who wished to ski the slopes of the Thredbo valley exited at the restaurant. From here one could also ski back to the Chalet via Wright’s Creek valley.

When it existed, the Ramshead Restaurant was the highest in Australia and had a spectacular 360 degree view of the alps. It also housed the two bull wheels at the top of both lifts. Skiers who wished to ski the slopes of the Thredbo valley exited at the restaurant. From here one could also ski back to the Chalet via Wright’s Creek valley.

This was the bottom station on the Alpine Way where skiers who wished to go to the Chalet, parked their cars.

This was the bottom station on the Alpine Way where skiers who wished to go to the Chalet, parked their cars.

As mentioned, 1964 was an extremely heavy snow year and when the lift operated, (infrequently), various parts of it had to be cleared of snow. Skiers who cleared snow for 2 hours received a free day lift pass. The photo shows skiers clearing snow around the Chalet bottom station.

As mentioned, 1964 was an extremely heavy snow year and when the lift operated, (infrequently), various parts of it had to be cleared of snow. Skiers who cleared snow for 2 hours received a free day lift pass. The photo shows skiers clearing snow around the Chalet bottom station.

Very severe blizzards were common in 1964 and the chairs on the lift were particularly exposed and vulnerable as they crossed Wright’s Creek. This photo shows the lift approaching the Ramshead Restaurant and a chair being blown blown horizontally. In very severe winds the chairs were sometimes derailed from the lift.

Very severe blizzards were common in 1964 and the chairs on the lift were particularly exposed and vulnerable as they crossed Wright’s Creek. This photo shows the lift approaching the Ramshead Restaurant and a chair being blown blown horizontally. In very severe winds the chairs were sometimes derailed from the lift.

Very little of the WLC remains but one can still visit the site of the Ramshead Restaurant. Part of the restaurant wall remains as do the two bull wheels of the respective lifts, an impressive reminder of what might have been.

Very little of the WLC remains but one can still visit the site of the Ramshead Restaurant. Part of the restaurant wall remains as do the two bull wheels of the respective lifts, an impressive reminder of what might have been.