Perisher's New Automated Snow Guns Fired Up! (04-May-09)

Perisher, Australia, May 4, 2009 - There is just five weeks to go until the start of the 2009 winter season

There is just five weeks to go until the start of the 2009 winter season and Mother Nature has come to the party early at Perisher. This week, 50cm of snow settled across the slopes and together with cold overnight temperatures snowmaking has commenced earlier than scheduled.

Perisher is the first of the Australian ski resorts to kick-start their snowmaking efforts this season and with the bonus of natural snowfalls, a good base can now be established ready for the 6 June Opening Weekend Celebrations.

Temperatures as low as -10.4°C have allowed Perisher's new automated snowmaking system to be fired up across Front Valley. This week up to 39 snow guns went into action, two weeks ahead of last season's snowmaking debut.

Perisher's three-year $19 million investment in snowmaking culminates this year, with a $5.7 million expansion covering the very popular beginner and intermediate Happy Valley area and top to bottom on Towers Run on Mt Perisher, one of the resort's favourites amongst advanced skiers and boarders.

A total of 271 snow guns are now installed across Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes and Guthega resort areas, that's 53.4 hectares of terrain for all standards of skiers and snowboarders under man-made coverage. Snowmaking enables more season-long consistency for guests to Perisher, enhancing their holiday experiences.

Now that Perisher's snowmaking program has officially commenced it is expected that the guns will operate at every available opportunity. Positive long-range weather forecasts indicate that above average snowfalls can be expected this winter, www.holtonweather.com. 

At present, a thick layer of snow can be found across Perisher, from the peaks to the valleys, making the resort look more like July than early May. Due to the recent snowfalls, bookings have begun to take off with snow lovers keen to take advantage of the great deals currently available at Perisher including:

More Snow for your Dough at The Station. Offering great value for money, guests can choose from 2, 3 and 5 day packages starting at $239. Plus, if booked and paid for by 31 May, each adult (and child) will receive a gift card up to the value of $150 (and $75) to be spent at The Station. Call 1300 369 909 for more details or to make a reservation.

Perisher Super Pass: Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham have released a great value new season pass for the 2009 winter - the Super Pass. Each Super Pass entitles the holder to ski and board at all three resorts for unlimited days in Winter 2009. Offered at a discount to regular full-season pass prices in each of the resorts, Super Passes are only available for purchase prior to 28 May 2009 and represent unbelievable pre-season value. For the chance to win a 2009 Super Pass, purchase before 8 May.