Selwyn Snow Resort has secured a 40 year lease from the New South Wales government and announced major capital investment plans for the rebuild of the ski resort decimated by the 2020 bushfires.
The Agreement for Lease has been signed with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Selwyn will now commence construction on a new look resort.
Guest facilities, snow making, chairlift and snow play will all receive an overhaul with the rebuild. The Selwyn Centre will now house all guest facilities and services in the one building including an expanded ski and snowboard hire, enhanced food and drink offerings and improved toilet amenities.
Australia’s premier toboggan park will have a dedicated 150 metre snow carpet and a new Winter Wonderland (the first of its kind in Australia) with tubing carousel, skating rink with bumper cars, kids snowmobiles and even an enchanted village.
The resorts snowmaking capacity will be doubled and Selwyn will also be the first snow resort in the Southern Hemisphere to install new TT10 snow machines, which thanks to their next generation technology will enable snowmaking at temperatures more than two degrees warmer than the previous system.
Chairlift upgrades include the New Chum Chairlift and the Township Triple Chair will also be extended in coming years to replace the Powerline Poma.
“In the aftermath of the fires, we committed to building a bigger and better Selwyn and we meant it. I’m very pleased that the long-term future of Selwyn Snow Resort has been secured,” said Kevin James Blyton, Chairman of the Blyton Group that own the resort.
“Selwyn Snow Resort has been the place for thousands of families to learn to ski or snowboard over the years and I’m very pleased that this will continue for generations to come.
The rebuild on-site has now commenced following planning approval granted by the NSW Department of Planning in mid-February 2021 for the construction of the Visitors Centre, as well as a range of other lifting, snow play and snowmaking infrastructure works.
Some of the changes ahead
The Visitor’s Centre
Re-configuration of what was previously two facilities into one enlarged Guest facility; improvement of ticketing, equipment hire, locker and café facilities; contemporary ‘L Shaped’ Design, with all facilities on a single level for guests, to improve accessibility plus an expanded Kids Club and additional guest seating.
Staff Accommodation
Relocation of staff accommodation away from guest facilities with double glazed windows and double insulation to improve energy efficiency.
Snowmaking Infrastructure Improvements
Expansion of resort’s water storage capacity, more than doubling the storage capacity of the “Race Course Quarry”; replacement of water supply line from Three Mile Dam, significantly increasing the refilling capacity for the “Race Course Quarry”; installation of state-of-the-art TT10 Fan Guns, the first resort in the Southern Hemisphere; upgrade and replacement of resort-wide snowmaking infrastructure, including high pressure pump facilities.
Upgrade of Lifting Infrastructure
Full upgrade of New Chum Double Chair; expansion of Township Triple Chair (replacing Powerline Poma), significantly increasing lifting capacity and extending the operating season of Long Arm and Kangaroo Ridge ski runs. Installation of two Sunkid conveyor carpets into relocated and expanded snowsports learning area.
New Website, Ticketing and Access System
New Website currently under development with an online store for pre purchase of resort products. Plus RFID electonric gate access system across the resort.
Toboggan Park
Relocation and expansion of toboggan park, installation of 150 metre SunKid conveyor carpet, the only toboggan park in NSW to feature a dedicated carpet for guests to use. Installation of dedicated snowmaking and a platform for guests at the top of the toboggan slope.
‘Winter Wonderland’
A new tubing carousel utilising both snow and a synthetic surface; a skating rink that will also include bumper cars. Kids snowmobiles for kids 5 to 13 years of age and new snowshoe walking tours in the national park. A miniature enchanted village for the yound and young at heart.
Updated Snow Grooming Fleet
Purchase of two Kassbohrer PistenBully 400 grooming machines, to facilitate the grooming of skiing and snowplay areas.
Relocation and Expansion of Snowsports Learning Area
Relocation of Snowsports Learning area to previous toboggan park, providing significant expansion in terrain for skiers and boarders to perfect their turns. Installation of two Sunkid conveyor carpets into relocated and expanded Snowsports Learning Area.
Environmental Sustainability
The resort will ensure all new resort facilities meet or exceed all environmental objectives and do not denigrate the integrity of the National Park and its unique alpine values. Renewable energy options being considered for development to reduce the environmental footprint with sustainable practices and programs.
