In-person Mt. Perisher Double Chair auction raises over $195,000 on opening day

Perisher Valley, 9 June 2024 – Perisher Valley’s Skitube Terminal was like Grand Central Station as more than 200 registered bidders crammed into the space to bid on 40 original Mt Perisher Double chairs, which went under the hammer in an auction led by local auctioneer Nick Kirshner. So far, more than $220,000 has been raised, and it continues to rise as online bids roll in.

“It was a wonderful start to the season and the room was filled with excitement as the first chair went for $7,000, sold to a family with tight connection to the chairlift’s construction back in 1961,” said Nathan Butterworth, Perisher Vice President and General Manager.

“It was heartening to hear so many stories of life at Perisher back then and feel part of something very special as we steer Perisher to new heights with the new Mt Perisher 6 high-speed, 6-person chairlift to open in 2025, reclaiming our title of having the highest lifted point in Australia.”

Around 30 of the original chairs will be auctioned in a silent auction over the next week (or until sold). Enter the auction here: https://aus.givergy.com/MtPDoubleChairAuction

Proceeds from the auctions will benefit local charities and organisations that make a difference for the environment, here in our community, and for our youth. To register your organisation or cause for a grant, please visit: Apply for Auction Grant (perisher.com.au)

The Mt Perisher Double Chair was Perisher’s first-ever chairlift, a two-seater, fixed-grip chairlift that first opened to skiers in 1961. Prior to its construction, the areas that now form Perisher Ski Resort were serviced by a handful of T-Bars and rope tows.  

According to Perisher Historical Society, the construction of the Mt. P Double was ‘Spurred on by the appetite for longer runs and the interest to open up new skiing areas on the Perisher Range’. The Chair’s construction represented a major step forward in Australian skiing. 

For the 2024 season, guests will still be able to access all the same runs and terrain and with the Mt Perisher Triple will still operational.  

For more information please visit our Mt Perisher 6: Project Updates page at www.perisher.com.au or learn more about the auction, as well as the history of the Mt. Perisher Double Chair by visiting the Mt. Perisher Double Chair Auction page.  

Imagery, including video footage, from the Auction is here: https://vailresorts.imagerelay.com/fl/eec3230a318b4c39bda93842287964d8