Charlotte Pass FAQ

Charlotte Pass in September is still a snowbound world unto itself! Staying at the Southern Alps Ski Club lodge in the Charlotte Pass resort, there are potential ski touring routes in all directions, with the Main Range to the north. Metal edged skis are a must to negotiate the probable early morning frozen slopes and quite probably any of the alpine peaks most times of the day. Charlotte Pass has great intermediate lifted runs for telemark enthusiasts and the accessible backcountry skiing is the most extensive and spectacular in Australia. 

We don't usually have planned activities at this event. As is often the case for Melbourne Nordic weekends, participants tend to plan their activities in discussion with each other, often over a relaxed breakfast in the lodge. Of course Charlotte Pass has great lifted runs for telemark enthusiasts at all skill levels and there is extensive backcountry skiing in all directions including the highest peaks in Australia. These are best tackled by skiers of intermediate and above ability, on metal-edged touring skis, in a group, in fine weather. 

On most days where the weather permits there will be an organised day tour to a nearby peak or landmark, or just to explore the valleys, ridges, rivers and lakes in the vicinity. Mt Kosciusko is easily reached within a day tour when the weather and snow conditions are favourable.

This event is scheduled so that members travel over to NSW (Jindabyne) on a Saturday, and then park cars at Bullock's Flat skitube station on the Sunday morning. After arriving at Perisher on the skitube train, it is a short luggage transfer to the oversnow transport reception desk where we gather for our pre-booked oversnow trip to Charlotte Pass.

SASC Lodge supplies doonas and pillows. Guests are required to supply own linen - towel, top and bottom sheets and pillowcase (or you can hire for $?). Sleeping bags are allowed. This event is fully catered by the lodge kitchen / staff, so you only need to bring food for your special dietary requirements, if any. Lunches can be created on the morning of any day tours from lodge supplies on request, otherwise lunch in the lodge is at a set time each day as are all meals.

Skitube train tickets are not included and there is a discount for online purchase. Accommodation on the Saturday nights before and after the ski trip is also not included but suggestions will be made to facilitate separate bookings or arrangements as the trip time approaches. 

This event is particularly vulnerable to state government pandemic-related decisions that may affect your ability to cross the border between Victoria and NSW. Even if you are allowed into NSW at the beginning of the trip you may find you cannot easily get back into Victoria at the end of the trip! If you are forced to cancel your trip due to pandemic reasons you will receive a refund, but it is essential for participants to keep informed about interstate border conditions (e.g. permits etc), and to have contingency plans if there are short notice changes that affect border crossings that occur during the trip.