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Watch our Bonza new chairlift on the northern slopes of Mt Buller take shape!
We'll regularly post photos and updates live from the Bonza Chairlift worksite as the lift is built in readiness for winter. Check back for updates and make sure to follow us on twitter and facebook for all the news as we count down to opening the only new chairlift in Australia this ski season!
BONZA CHAIRLIFT AT MT BULLER TAKING SHAPE!
The only new chairlift construction for any ski resort in Australia is taking place at the Burnt Hut Spur at Mt Buller this summer.
This new fixed-grip Doppelmayr quad chairlift will further boost Mt Buller's network of lifts servicing the popular area between the Horse Hill and Grimus chairlifts and replacing the Burnt Hut Chairlift lost to lightning damage in early 2010.
The lift has been affectionately called the Bonza Chairlift and is all about celebrating great Australian skiing and boarding and injecting fun back into the northern slopes at Mt Buller this winter.
This exciting project is a $3.1million investment and is an important addition to the resort revitalising the popular northern slopes and re-opening up extensive terrain this popular gladed ski area.
"The Bonza lift is a terrific addition for skiers and boarders at Mt Buller, particularly day visitors who will be able to access this popular ski terrain directly from Horse Hill." Said Laurie Blampied, General Manager of Buller Ski Lifts.
"Mt Buller continues to invest and improve the mountain to reward the enthusiastic skiers and boarders who spend time here each winter season. We are all passionate about this mountain and these investments demonstrate our ongoing commitment to seeing Mt Buller maintain its position as Australia's premier mountain resort and provide the foundation for future growth. We are making Buller better."
Mt Buller is the only ski resort in Australia to build any new chairlifts in the past seven years and maintains the largest ski lifting network in Victoria and with 13 chairlifts shares the record for the most number of chairlifts in an Australian resort.
The new Bonza Chairlift will be the third new chairlift installed at Mt Buller since 2005. It will span 530 metres with a vertical rise of 135 metres and offers enhanced safety features and creature comforts for skiers and boarders including individual footrests.
In support of the new lift Mt Buller is expanding snowmaking operations on the Burnt Hut Spur and new 200m long trail with fully automated snowmaking machines also being installed this summer.
CHAIRLIFT WATCH
Last updated 19th April
14 May
The cable has been spliced and most of the chairs have been mounted.
Testing will begin soon.
9 May
The chairs have arrived and are having their grips attached. Almost ready for mounting!
The haul rope has been attached and is ready for splicing.
3 May
Bull wheel in place at the top station of the new lift, waiting for the cable splice.
TOWER FLYING DAY - 18 APRIL
A major milestone in the construction of the lift saw three towers flown into place via helicopter, piece by piece.
The chopper at work. An incredible piece of engineering.
A stunning view down the lift line with the new Bonza towers all in place.
Day 73
A good view down the liftline from the top station showing the cabling going into place.
Another glorious day on site - perfect for tackling ground works around Tower 5. The top station is in view.
The base of the bottom station and the foundation for Tower 1 now sit flush with the ground level ready for the above ground phase of construction to commence.
Day 71
Protective straw and webbing goes down along the access trail to the base of the lift to stabilise the soil and aid sediment control.
Day 66
Some technical groundworks as drainage pipe is lowered into place.
Day 60
Concrete is poured for the bottom lift load and the base of Tower 1 - the last of the concreting! Now we move to above ground works.
As you can see in this shot, there is a perfect view of Summit Slide from the base of the new Northside Chairlift. Just imagine once this is snow-covered what a great perspective this will give skiers and boarders.
Day 46
Action stations on what will be the ski run access to the bottom lift load.
Excavations for the bottom station and the foundations for Tower 1.
Day 45
A view from beneath the top station showing the largely completed external structure.
This towering support wall provides an impressive view from beneath the lift load. Skiers and boarders will stand on top of this amazing mass of rock as they load onto the new lift.
Day 43
Workers stand on the top load station where skiers will be unloading off the chairs.
Day 33
The top station continues to grow taller...
Day 31
It's a gabion-fest! All hands on deck to build the retaining wall below the lottom lift load area.
Day 29
Gabion cages for the supporting wall beneath the load station are put into place.
Day 26
The cleared lower lift station access on the run takes shape.
Day 25
Stellar views from the top of the lift as the structure takes shape.
Day 21
Solid progress continues on the top station.
Day 19
The foundation for Tower Four being craned into place. When the concrete is poured for this tower it will be the largest lift tower foundation in the Southern Hemisphere!
Day 17
Re-bar base for Tower 3 goes in and forming steel wall moulding for concrete pour on the top station.
Day 15
Ash deftly handles the technical task of digging footings for the lift towers in the midst of the sloping ski area terrain. This is the site for Tower 3.
Day 12
The base for the lift's top station is already taking shape. The busy team are working fast as the concrete goes in with little time to take in the beautiful views.
Day 9
Footing excavation for Tower 5. This is technical work on a sloping site. Mt Buller's multi-skilled grooming team know how to handle these big machines on the slopes.
Day 7
Pouring the concrete for the base foundation of the top station and drainage.
Day 5
Brand new drainage for the lift's top station.
Day 4
The site for the lift top station is already level and base slabs are going in. A beautiful view across to Mt Cobbler.
Day 3
All hands on deck and the site for the top station is already taking form.
Day 2
Yes - that is snow on the ground.... Mt Buller turns on a summer snow flurry to add an extra element of surprise to work on the site for the second day!
Day 1
Work has started! After many months of planning the crew wasted no time breaking earth and the new chairlift construction is officially underway!
You can see the location of the new chairlift on the 2012 trail map - make sure to head to the northern slopes this winter and be one of the first to ride the chair!
Click on this map extract to launch a full copy of the 2012 trail map for both northern and southern slopes
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