LAUNCHED at the start of the winter 2020 season, the Merritts Gondola has been a major success in its debut season and is quickly becoming Thredbo’s favourite choice of transport.
The Gondola’s ideal proximity to the village, its base at the Valley Terminal, allows guests to embark on a fast six minute ride straight to the alpine region and access the popular Cruiser chair.
Everyone who has ridden the gondola has offered great praise, especially families whose preferred choice is skiing the Merritts slopes on the mixed intermediate terrain.
Alison from Bronte who has a family of five said, “We love it as a family where we can walk down from the lodge in the village and all ride as one to our favourite slopes. Personally, I like to download as well if I am tired and feel I have had enough of skiing, it brings me straight back to the village and no need to catch the bus.”
The mid-station also allows for guests to upload from the High Noon run, ideal for intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders who are accessing the Dream Run and its surrounding tree runs.
For village guests attending lessons starting in Friday Flat, it has made the start to their day easier where they can ride the gondola to mid station before alighting and skiing to their lesson.
The quick and easy access to and from Thredbo Village in full protection from the elements is also expanding lunch choices to all village guests. On sunny spring days, be sure to enjoy the alpine setting and the new deck area at the Merritts Mountain House.
Thredbo’s Marketing Manager, Caroline Brauer, says the success of the gondola is evident from all the feedback from guests.
“The Merritts Gondola has been positively received by all our guests. The way it has opened up the mountain and is providing our guests with more trail options, better transport for all abilities to the Cruiser area, plus a comfortable ride in the Gondola cabins in all weather has really enhanced the experience for our guests.”
The $15 million Doppelmayr constructed high speed 8 person Gondola is Australia’s only alpine gondola and is fast becoming a very popular destination for foot passengers who want to ride a lift and see the snow. Foot passenger guests are advised to pre book in advance as tickets are limited this season due to the covid restrictions.
The gondola is a cabin-style lift normally found in Europe and North America and represents five years of planning and development. The lift spans 1.3 kilometres and rises 298 vertical meters and is driven by an innovative industry leading Direct Drive electric motor system making the Gondola super quiet and more efficient than a conventional gondola.
