Snowmaking Upgrades: Getting Ready for Winter

Sunrise Snowmaking at Perisher

17 February 2025

While our brand new, 6-seater chairlift on Mt. Perisher may be stealing the headlines, there's plenty of work going on behind the scenes in preparation for the upcoming season.

Our snowmaking crew have had another busy summer maintaining and improving Perisher's snowmaking capabilities, ensuring we're ready to deliver the best possible skiing and boarding experience from day one of the season.

Upgrades to Existing Snowmaking Infrastructure

We’ve swapped out five of our old A30 lance guns on Front Valley and replaced them with TechnoAlpin TL8s—some of the best in the game for snow quality and output. The TL8 offers next-level efficiency, with multiple control settings that adjust water flow to make sure we’re pumping out the best snow possible, even in marginal conditions. Plus, their sleek, lightweight design makes them easier to install and maintain—it's a win-win!

But that’s just the start. The snowmaking crew have been busy improving our snowmaking capacity well beyond Front Valley:

Centre Valley (The Cleft) – Two new fan guns
Mt. Perisher Base – A fan gun at the bottom of the new Mt. P 6
Top of Hume T-Bar (Smiggin Holes)– A new TL8 up top for consistent coverage
Wood Run (Smiggin Holes) – An additional fan gun
Toppa’s Dream – Two new fan guns for our moguls course ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics (Fun fact: Olympic medallists are made here!)

Understanding Snowmaking: How Does It Work?

Snowmaking is a vital process for many resorts around the world that supplements natural snowfall, ensuring consistent and extended ski seasons. It involves the production of snow by forcing water and pressurised air through specialised equipment, such as snow guns or lances.

The process begins by sourcing water, which is then pumped through a network of pipes to snowmaking devices strategically placed across the mountain. These devices atomise the water into fine droplets, which, when exposed to cold air, freeze and fall as snow. The efficiency of snowmaking is influenced by factors such as temperature and humidity; optimal conditions typically require a 'wet-bulb' temperature of -2.5°C or lower.

The intricate balance of variables required to generate 'man-made' snow is why the process is far more complex than simply 'flipping a switch'. Believe us when we say we would if we could!

Advancements in snowmaking technology, exemplified by equipment like TechnoAlpin's TL8, have significantly improved the efficiency and environmental sustainability of artificial snow production. These modern systems allow for precise control over water usage and snow quality, ensuring Perisher can provide guests with exceptional conditions throughout the season.

Our ongoing investments in cutting-edge snowmaking technology and infrastructure reflect our unwavering commitment to delivering an unparalleled alpine experience, regardless of natural snowfall variability.

A Quick History of Snowmaking At Perisher

Perisher has consistently invested in advanced snowmaking technology to enhance the guest experience and ensure reliable snow cover throughout the winter season. Since 2007, Perisher has allocated over $22 million towards improving and expanding its snowmaking system, including the installation of new automated, energy-efficient snow guns.

There are over 280 snow guns in Perisher's fleet, enabling snowmaking across key resort areas such as Front Valley, Mt. Perisher, Smiggin Holes, and Blue Cow.

In addition to this summer's works, upgrades in recent years include enhancements to the pipework at Smiggin Holes, the acquisition of six new mobile fan guns, and the installation of snowmaking equipment at the base of the Interceptor Chair, further expanding Perisher's snowmaking capabilities.

Did you know? A significant portion of the water used for snowmaking is sourced from a Snowy Hydro aqueduct, with approximately 93% of this water returning to the streams during the spring thaw, effectively storing water for winter use and releasing it back to the environment in spring!

With all these upgrades, you can bet we’re doing everything we can to make sure Perisher is primed and ready for an unforgettable winter. Bring on winter 2025!