New Highest Lift in Australia Officially Open

Australia’s Perisher ski area, the country’s largest, has celebrated the official opening of the Mt Perisher 6 Chairlift, a six-seater, high-speed detachable chairlift with an opening ceremony that included a traditional smoking ceremony and cultural dance.

The new $26m AUD lift increases uphill capacity on the route by 60% and reach a new highest lift-served elevation in Australia at 2,042 metres.

Although this peak is just eight metres taller than the resort’s previous high point, Perisher says the redesigned alignment of the top station will unlock access to expanded terrain. That’s partly thanks to the removal of outdated infrastructure: the former Mt P Double and Triple chairs required 27 towers, which have now been replaced with just 10.

The ceremony commenced with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony led by Ngarigo Elders, followed by a special cultural dance performance by the Bega Rivers Dance Group. 

The event culminated in an official ribbon cutting at the Mt Perisher 6 base station, attended by local stakeholders, community members, government representatives, snowsports athletes and construction crews who worked tirelessly on the project through high altitudes, summer heat and autumn frosts.

The new six-seater lift also significantly cuts ride times — halving the ascent to just 5½ minutes.

Matt Graham, Olympic silver medallist and Perisher local, highlighted the good timing for the new lift’s opening:  

“With the 2026 Winter Olympics just around the corner, the opening of Mt Perisher 6 couldn’t come at a better time. It’s a world-class lift that will support athlete training and help inspire the next generation of Australian winter sports talent.”