Perisher is gearing up for another big snow season in 2009.
Those, looking for a great winter escape will be treated to a host of improvements that will see guest experiences greatly enhanced.
Over the summer months Perisher continued to invest heavily in the resort expanding snowmaking, upgrading and improving sites and developing new Snowsports School programs in readiness for winter.
In addition, Perisher has a new look and made a subtle change to its name. Below is a snapshot of what’s new at Perisher:
A New Look: Perisher Blue has now become simply “Perisher,” along with new branding which best reflects the amalgam of all four-resort areas under one name. The new Perisher identity takes as its central premise the sheer size and diversity of the terrain that distinguishes Perisher as Australia’s premier snowsports resort.
Snowmaking Expansion: $5.7 million dollars has been spent this year, with new snowmaking infrastructure added to the Happy Valley area and top to bottom on the very popular Towers Run on Mt Perisher, as part of Perisher’s three-year $19 million dollar investment in snowmaking expansions and upgrades. Extensive slope grooming has also been undertaken as part of the program to make snow-riding experiences even better in 2009.
The Happy Valley and Mt Perisher snowmaking expansion adds an extra 10.86 hectares of snowmaking-covered terrain to a new total of 53.4 hectares. 68 energy efficient Techno Alpin automated snow guns have been installed, lifting Perisher’s total number of snow guns to 271.
Groomers: Two groomers have been added to Australia’s biggest snow-grooming fleet. These additions will ensure Perisher has over 100 groomed trails in great shape during 2009. As in 2008, 100% of the green house gas emissions of the grooming and bus fleets will be offset with accredited renewable sources from Origin Energy.
Perisher Centre Improvements: The Lower Arcade of the Perisher Centre is currently undergoing an extensive renovation in time for the 2009 season. The new streamlined layout will assist guests navigating their way through each area, saving them valuable time and improving their experience.
At a cost of approximately $600,000 the remodelled Perisher Centre will see snowboard hire combined in the one area with ski hire (to be known as Snowsports Hire), Mountain Passes and Snowsports School products all available from one integrated office. The office is conveniently located closer to the slopes and there is also a new Slopestyle Mountain Sports retail outlet close by for quick accessory purchases.
An important part of the upgrade is an expansion of the Kids Snowsports School facilities in the Perisher Centre. The expansion will make the check-in process quicker and easier and will provide better indoor facilities for kids when having lunch or simply taking a break. Snowy Daycare has been relocated to the Lower Level making it easier to access with prams direct from the Perisher Carpark or Skitube.
New Ski Carpet: A welcomed addition for our Snowsports School Milo Discovery Kid’s area in Perisher Valley, the new ski carpet has been added to compliment these popular programs. At a cost of approximately $170,000 the carpet will expand the capacity of the programs, make learning easier and most importantly more fun for our youngest guests.
Also, in the Milo Discovery Kid’s area will be a mini terrain park – the Milo Mini Park, with miniature low to the ground features, to enable introductory freeride tuition. This is sure to be popular!
Kids Snowsports School: Perisher has been listening to its youngest customers and as a result our children’s programs have been given an overhaul. Our newly designed programs and facilities for all ages offer more flexibility, more fun and peace of mind for parents, while enjoying all the resort has to offer.
Snowsports School’s Milo Discovery Kids program (3 to 4 year-olds) will now operate out of Perisher’s daycare facilities, which means if the kids are tired and don’t feel like skiing they have the option of staying indoors and joining with Snowy Daycare. In addition, Perisher’s daycare staff will now supervise all indoor activities, while outdoor activities will be the responsibility of our qualified instructors.
The newly designed Milo Adventure Kids (5 to 7 year-olds) program specifically caters for the needs of this age group, which means more time on the snow and extra age specific activities.
Lessons: Snowsports School’s ‘Mum and Me’ private lessons are a great new product being introduced in 2009. During a one-hour lesson, qualified instructors will teach the kid’s how to ski while giving Mum and Dad insights on how to further develop their children’s skills.
Also new in 2009, Perisher’s Snowsports School is now offering a two-and-a-half hour Telemark group lesson with a qualified instructor.
Extra Fun: Thursday is Perisher’s night of lights. A Fireworks display will start at 7pm after extended opening hours at Tube Town. There will also be night skiing for the tiny tots on Zoe’s ski carpet with a special display of fireworks for the kids at Smiggin Holes on Wednesday nights.
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