THREDBO have announced their new $9 million Alpine Coaster ride will be ready for operation in winter 2024. The development application has recently been approved, and work will continue this summer.
Stuart Diver, Thredbo Resort general manager said the company building the ride have stated this will be one of the best they have designed. “I'm confident it's going to be an awesome ride. It'll be really cool because of its ability to go from a eucalypt forest out onto an open ski run and then back into the trees,” said Mr Diver.
“Work will recommence in October once the season finishes on some major civil works. There's a tunnel at the bottom to go under the ski run so that we can still ski over the top. Most of the tree clearing has been done.”
The ride is currently being constructed in Europe. Once installed it will be approximately one minute in duration down and a three-minute ride uphill to the start. Snow resorts in both Europe and North America have similar rides.
Mr Diver said the alpine coaster is the start of a grander plan which includes two zip line installations, replacement of the Snowgums double seat chairlift with a new six seat chair and replacement of the Merritts Mountain House restaurant. All will be subject to both planning approval and board approval.
“The DA (development application) is about to go in for the Snowgums chairlift replacement which will be a new six pack, which is very exciting. Also, the design is nearly finished on a dual zipline installation.”
“Our two-prong strategy, one is to future proof us and have activities that we can do year-round, summer and winter. Not just summer specific like mountain biking, not just winter specific like skiing. The zip lines are coming very closely behind on the back of that installation (alpine coaster).
“That's the first part of the strategy. The second part is providing guests with premium experiences, and you need to be able to add to the Thredbo adventure experience.”
There are two dual ziplines planned. The novice zip line would start from approximately halfway up the current bobsled and would end adjacent to the new alpine coaster base, near the current tennis courts. This would be able to run year-round as there would be no lift access required and would be suited to school and corporate groups plus the public. The finish area would include a 12 metre high tower that has two climbing walls, plus auto belay and a 10 metre freefall on one side.
The second and longer dual zipline would run from the from the top of the gondola down to the current cat shed. This would dovetail into the mid station of the new Snowgums chair.
Mr Diver said guests would take the gondola to the top, then ride the dual ziplines to the new mid station area of the Snowgums chair, and then download the chair to the bottom. “It's 1.2 kilometres long and 80 kilometres an hour maximum speed.”
These added attractions will enhance Thredbo’s reputation as a year-round adventure resort, adding to the winter snow, summer mountain biking, hiking and fishing.
“If we're really going to truly expand this year-round, especially the summer market, then we need to be providing other adventures. Most resorts in the world with an eye on the future are looking at these types of installations.”
The new Snowgums 6 seat chair would run on the same line as the current chair, include a mid station at the cat shed where the Lovers Leap station is currently, and a top unload. Bunny walk station would no longer exist. The mid station would have multi direction loading and unloading for download back into the village.
During an early season marketing function in Thredbo, resort owner Alan Rydge and EVT chief executive officer Jane Hastings were both very supportive to see the new infrastructure plans come to fruition.
