THE opening of the new $26 million Mt Perisher 6-seat Doppelmayr state-of-the-art high-speed chairlift marked a significant milestone for Perisher and Vail Resorts, with the substantial investment showing great confidence in the Australian snow industry.
Friday, 27 June 2025, is now etched into the Perisher history books, and the memories of hundreds of patrons who arrived to celebrate the grand occasion.
The morning was extra special for six lucky children, all of whom were celebrating their birthdays and were designated the honour of riding the first chairlift. A birthday present and an experience they will pass down to their children.
One celebrating his eleventh birthday commented, “We’re above the clouds right now,” as he looked out over the expansive views, agreeing it was his “best birthday ever”.
There were familiar local faces in the large crowd, all very patient as the resort documented the first chair departure before everyone was then lifted to Australia’s new highest lifted point at 2042 metres.
“The launch of Mt Perisher 6 is a huge improvement for our guests,” said Nathan Butterworth, Perisher’s Vice President & General Manager.
“It’s not just about speed, it’s about elevating the entire mountain experience. This lift is a major investment in the future of snow sports in Australia.”
Everyone agreed the chair is a winner, and the latest Doppelmayr technology has delivered a spectacular piece of equipment. The most common remark was how quiet the chairlift was, even when passing over the tower assembly.
“Perisher has done a fabulous job with the new chair! They had a live band performing this morning, they handed out warm cookies, and I scored a pair of Mt P 6 socks they were throwing into the queue,” said Jindabyne’s Sharon Dawson. “It was an absolutely magic day to open the Mt Perisher 6.”
The chair is extremely comfortable and includes a small footrest. The high-speed chair takes only 5.5 minutes to reach the top and is a game changer for Perisher.
The new MT P 6 replaces the old double and triple chairs, which will now be remembered for the experiences they offered visitors over their lifetime of skiing and snowboarding.
“I’m incredibly proud of our partnership with Perisher on the Mt Perisher 6,” said Doppelmayr Australia’s General Manager, Shaun Turner.
“Our crews worked in challenging high-altitude conditions through scorching summer sun and wintry frosts to deliver an amazing product with no delays. We’ve innovated along the way, such as making our own concrete plant in Jindabyne, and it’s been a rewarding experience for all.”
