Australian Alpine Oversnow Equipment

Other Australian Snow-Related Equipment & Like

2012-01-21T22:36:00.000-08:00

Rolba Snow Clearers at Perisher Valley, 1985
Picture: Slopegrooming Reducing Injuries Report

Department of Main Roads Unimog with plow attachment, Perisher Valley, 1985
Picture: Slopegrooming Reducing Injuries Report

Tracked gas tank trailer parked out of season at Hans Oversnow depot, 2011
Picture: Andrew Collier

A piece of Snowy history - a Dodge Power Wagon, perhaps one of the many used by the Snowy Mountains Authority in the early days of the scheme, awaits restoration at Hans Oversnow's depot, 2011.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Three oversnow operators/enthusiasts at Hans Oversnow in 2011 (L-R) Ben Carrie, Damien Breitfuss, Ralph Zollinger
Picture: Andrew Collier

Forklift attachment for Oversnow, Mt Buller 2011
Picture: Andrew Collier

Tracks laid out, Mt Buller 2011
Picture: Andrew Collier

Autocar Crane/Recovery Truck, Mt Buller 2011
Picture: Andrew Collier

Above and below, Mt Buller Oversnow Depot, 2011
Pictures: Andrew Collier

Brochures

2012-01-21T22:28:00.000-08:00

Brochure: Damien Breitfuss Collection

I will include any brochures that I am sent or find here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrew_cudgewa/sets/72157628976941913/detail/

With thanks to those who have donated them.

Ratrac

2011-12-22T23:40:00.001-08:00

Ratrac was a Swiss firm that has produced oversnows, and re-sold some LMC oversnow models into Europe. While not as common as the "major" brands in Australia, some have been used through the years. As Ratrac is no longer in production they don't have a corporate website, however there are some picture of them here:
http://www.snow-groomer.com/index.php?cat=63

Picture: Ralph Zollinger Collection

Picture: Ralph Zollinger Collection

The two pictures above, kindly donated by Ralph Zollinger, show two Ratracs in use during a big snow at Perisher Valley I think in the late 1980s, Yes, that is a Ratrac on the roof!

Symbolising the close relationship between Ratrac and Thiokol/LMC, Ralph Zollinger of Hans Oversnow advises this oversnow pictured at Falls Creek in 2009 has a Thiokol chassis however a Ratrac cab-over body.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Moving ahead two years, the same Ratrac/Thiokol shown at Falls Creek in the earlier picture has now been purchased by Hans Oversnow and is here seen in their Jindabyne depot in late 2011 undergoing a complete ground up rebuild including fabrication of a new chassis amongst other major changes, a real credit to the mechanical/engineering skills of the Hans Oversnow team.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Also at Hans Oversnow's depot in late 2011 is this Ratrac configured for freight carriage, tucked in amongst the stored fleet awaiting the 2012 snow season. As with the other vehicles in Hans Oversnow's running fleet, the Ratrac is in superb condition.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Kassbohrer/Pisten Bully

2011-10-23T02:25:00.000-07:00

As will become obvious through the records of this blog, because Australia has always been a relatively wealthy country, it has had the commerce to afford the latest in oversnow and more recently, grooming technology. It did'nt take long after the German Kassbohrer company launched their PistenBully range from 1979 for them to become quite common across the Australian snowfields. While they have been challenged in recent years by Prinoths and the long running Bombardier range, they remain in regular and widespread use. If you're interested in Pisten Bullys further, their site is here:
http://www.pistenbully.com/en.html

ASB donated this shot of the passenger transport equipped Pisten Bully used for several years to transport skiiers from Falls Creek to Mount McKay and Rocky Knolls for skiing beyond the resort.
Picture: ASB via ski.com.au

A Pisten Bully in later life, still apparently ready for grooming work with both blade and sweep, however by this time she may have been the back-up. Picture taken toward the end of season in 2009
Picture: Andrew Collier

Some pictures of Mt. Buller's excellent Pisten Bully fleet during the 2011 off season. Being one of Australia's larger resorts, Mt. Buller has over a dozen Pisten Bullies of various marques together with quite a few other oversnows, some of them are pictured below: A 200 Model at one end of the line-up outside the workshops.
Picture: Andrew Collier
Part of the current fleet, all Pisten Bullys here.
Picture: Andrew Collier
Next along is this pristine 400 series.
Picture: Andrew Collier
A 300 "Kandahar" series, another 300 and the people carrier shown better below.
Picture: Andrew Collier
A 400 series with winch crane.
Picture: Andrew Collier
Amongst the modern Pisten Bullys is this older model still ready for service.
Picture: Andrew Collier
A 300W again with winch crane.
Picture: Andrew Collier
Some of the Pisten Bully grooming equipment fitted to the Buller fleet.
Picture: Andrew Collier
Another older model again ready for service.
Picture: Andrew Collier
A 240D fitted with snow clearing fittings at the front.
Picture: Andrew Collier
An older model again, interestingly fitted with what appears a locally built people carrying body, and also a fork lift attachment at the front.
Picture: Andrew Collier
A younger people carrier based on what appears to be a 200 series, with again what may be a locally built rear body.
Picture: Andrew Collier
I think this is another 200 series, on the mat outside the Mt. Buller workshops.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Also in the line-up was this quite interesting and immaculate Pisten Bully 2009 model Scout with an interesting decal seen in the bottom picture.
Picture: Andrew Collier
Picture: Andrew Collier
Picture: Andrew Collier

During my late 2011 out of season visit to Hans Oversnow's Jindabyne depot, the following two early model Pisten Bullys were seen:
A passenger carrier operated for the Peer Gynt Lodge in Perisher Valley.
Picture: Andrew Collier

A more recent passenger carrier operated for the Barakee Lodge, also in Perisher Valley, which appears to have been recently fitted with a new set of tracks/cleats.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Prinoth

2011-10-20T05:04:00.000-07:00

Several Australian resorts utilise Prinoths (including the Bison X), mostly for snow grooming. Falls Creek resort in Victoria took one step further during the 2011 season bringing a fleet of 6 passenger and one freighter into service. The following three pictures of the Prinoth Huskies were kindly supplied by Falls Creek Resort Management. If you're interested in Prinoth further, their site is here:
http://en.prinoth.com/

Picture: Falls Creek Resort Management

Picture: Falls Creek Resort Management

Picture: Falls Creek Resort Management

The following are two pictures of one of Mt Buller's BR 350 model fitted out for snow grooming taken during the 2011 off season.

Picture: Andrew Collier
Picture: Andrew Collier

Axtrack

2011-10-20T04:37:00.000-07:00

This is quite a special Oversnow - the Axtrack was developed and made in Melbourne, Australia following initial development at Falls Creek! It's great then to have two pictures donated by Kim McKeown of two Axtracks in their home environment, at Falls Creek during the 2010 season, below. If you're interested in Axtrack further, their website is here:
http://www.axtrack.com.au/

Picture: Kim McKeown
Picture: Kim McKeown

Argo

2011-10-17T20:59:00.000-07:00

There have been several Argo 8x8 and tracked 8x8's active in the NSW snowies at least, with any distribution in Victoria unknown at date. As always further information here would be appreciated. If you're interested, further information on Argo can be found at:
http://www.argoatv.com/

A beautiful typical Snowies blue sky day does'nt require the roof for The Man From Snowy River's Argo is this 1991 shot.
Picture: Andrew Collier

With apologies for the quality here, this is a still taken from a video of the Perisher Manor's untracked Argo in 1999.
Picture: Andrew Collier

An Argo 8x8 tracked oversnow owned by the Marritz Alpine Inn, photographed at Perisher in 2009.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Another Argo 8x8 tracked, this time owned by the Narraburra Club Chalet, pictured in the car park at Perisher in 2009.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Thiokol/LMC

2011-10-09T03:20:00.000-07:00

The Thiokol marque has been quite successful in the Australian snowfields, with various models used through the years, and even today after a couple of buyouts of the company and more recently ceasing production altogether, quite a few remain in useful service in Australia, a testament both to the quality of their build, and the efforts of those who maintain them. As the brand is defunct they don't have a corporate website however here are two links with more information:
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiokol
An informative enthusiast site:
http://www.unusuallocomotion.com/pages/industrial/thiokol-and-lmc-tracked-vehicles.html

The following four pictures (including three of an LMC 3700 A's) of the Perisher Valley fleet come from an unlikely source - a report on the benefits of grooming slopes to help reduce skiing injuries, produced around 1984/5. I remember when Perisher Valley introduced these snow groomers, they made quite an impression with their distinctive snout. I have tried unsuccessfully to contact the report authors to seek permission to republish these pictures from the report, so if they see this - please contact me! I fear I may not hear from them as the report is so old.

All four pictures above: Slopegrooming Reducing Injuries Report

Thiokol freight carrier at Falls Creek, 2009.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Detail from above.
Picture: Andrew Collier

2 LMC 260C's at Perisher, 2009.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Hans Oversnow's Thiokol 2100C (right) with another unidentified oversnow, 2009.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Ralph Zollinger of Hans Oversnow with his rebuilt Thiokol 2100C, 2011.
Picture: Hans Oversnow

For a while I could'nt work out the origin of the following oversnow.....

In 1995
Picture: Andrew Collier
A still from video, 1999.
Picture: Andrew Collier
Enlargement of a small picture in 2009.
Picture: Andrew Collier

.............However Damian Breitfuss from Perisher Manor saw the site and not only supplied a detailed background of this rather unique oversnow, but a great picture from season 2011 also. Damian advises the oversnow is a Thiokol Spryte 201 built in 1964 by Mole engineering in Sydney. This vehicle was originally owned by the Postmaster General (Telecom Australia) for transport and maintenance around the NSW snowies. Damian's father,Franz Breitfuss purchased it in the early 1980's and was used at Sonnenhof lodge as a freight vehicle and now the Perisher Manor. Apparently it is the only 201 built and used in Australia. (Damian notes Falls Creek Oversnow have a Mole Engineering built machine but with a slightly different cab configuration). Here's Damians' picture, with thanks!

Picture: Damian Breitfuss

The Thiokol freight carrier seen above at Falls Creek in 2009 was purchased by Hans Oversnow and is here seen in their livery at their Jindabyne base out of season in late 2009.
Picture: Andrew Collier

One of Hans Oversnow's LMC 260C's is also pictured at the depot on the same visit.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Various other Oversnows, known and unknown....

2011-10-09T01:54:00.000-07:00

A 1955 picture of the Pioneer "Kosciusko Clipper" at Smiggin Holes, a locally built body on a Nodwell chassis I think. These oversnows were used for the run between Smiggin Holes and the Kosciusko Chalet at Charlotte Pass
Picture: National Archive of Australia

Possibly the same Nodwell, the Postcard view above shows "Snow Fox" in the late 1960s at Perisher Valley.
(Picture: Ralph Zollinger Collection)

34 years later at least one of the Nodwells was still in service! The Matterhorn Ski Lodge's Nodwell pictured off-season at Perisher Valley, 1989.
Picture: Andrew Collier

A 1957 picture of an injured skier being taken back to the Mt Hotham Hotel in Victoria by a snow tractor of unknown origin and sledge.
Picture: National Archives of Australia

Damien Breitfuss from Perisher Manor has kindly identified this previously unknown oversnow, this picture taken c.1960 picture is of a Mole Engineering Mink. The Mole Mink was produced in Australia at this time, this one being used to transport stores and presumably skiiers to Falls Creek in Victoria.
Picture: Keith Byron, National Archives of Australia

Damien also kindly provided the following picture of a Mole Mink apparently taken from the Sundeck Hotel in Perisher Valley also c.1960.

Picture: Damien Breitfuss Collection

The picture is incorporated in the sales brochure for the Mole Mink below kindly provided by Ralph Zollinger:

Brochure: Ralph Zollinger Collection

Hagglunds

2011-10-08T20:04:00.001-07:00

The military-specifed Hagglunds have appeared in the Snowies in recent years, whether ex-NATO or Australian Antarctic mission (information in this regard appreciated). If you're interested in the marque further, Wikipedia has a high level summary at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandvagn_206

Perisher's emergency response Hagglunds seen out of season in 2006 at Jindabyne above and in the two pictures below.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Picture: Andrew Collier

Picture: Andrew Collier

The 2009 picture above and below are of an unknown Hagglunds at Perisher, possibly for emergency service.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Picture: Andrew Collier

One of the Hagglunds owned by the Stables resort is seen above in 2009 and below in 2011 at Perisher. Deanes Stables resort advise they have two Hagglunds, a Ford 6 cylinder petrol engined unit dating from 1988, and a 5 cylinder Mercedes diesel dating from 1986.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Picture: Deanes, The Stables Resort

The Hagglunds in the following two pictures is in use by the Mt. Buller Alpine Search and Rescue Service, see here out of season in 2011.

Picture: Andrew Collier

Picture: Andrew Collier

Bombardier

2011-10-08T01:11:00.000-07:00

Bombardier has had quite an extensive involvement in Australian Oversnow transport since the later decades of the 20th Century, possibly partly assisted by their having production/support facilities in Australia for many years. While the Bombardier company itself no longer produces oversnow transport, many Bombardiers are in service today (the marque has been purchased by Leitner/Prinoth), some are pictured below however as always, contributions are welcome. If you're interested in Bombardier oversnows, here are two sites with more information:

Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardier_Recreational_Products

Enthusiast site:
http://www.unusuallocomotion.com/pages/industrial/j-a-bombardier-travel-on-snow.html

While the quality of the picture above is'nt great it is included because of the rarity of what it shows - a Bombardier Muskeg on the left and Bombardier J5 on the right bracketing a Snow Trac at Smiggins Holes in 1968. This is the only picture I have seen of a J5 in Australia.
Picture: Ralph Zollinger Collection

A Bombardier Snow Coach at Perisher Valley Carpark is overtaken by the Charlotte Pass sled c.1984/5.
Picture: Slopegrooming Reducing Injuries Report

Also seen in 1984/5 is this Bombardier Ski-Dozer attached to the more modern Charlottes Pass transport sled, presumably quite a bit more comfortable than the "ice box" of some four decades prior.
Picture: Slopegrooming Reducing Injuries Report

Even clicking on this image the oversnow is small (it's there in the middle right) but it's my earliest picture of a Bombardier Muskeg that was serving one of the chalets at Perisher Valley in 1986.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Judging by the skiiers outfits, I'm guessing this is a mid to late 1980s picture of skiiers being transported to I think Guthega on a sled behind a Bombardier Muskeg.
Picture: Ralph Zollinger Collection

Three Snow Coaches in use at Charlotte's Pass rest through the off season in 1989.
Picture: Andrew Collier

The ski resort at Falls Creek has many lodges snow bound during the ski season necessitating oversnow access. This solution entered service in 2002, it appears to be a Bombardier Ski Dozer with a locally built trailer hauled semi-trailer style, and was popularly known as the "Pope Mobile". Picture kindly supplied by ASB via ski.com.au.
Picture: ASB

A gaggle of Hans Oversnow's Snow Coaches await their next job at the Perisher Ski Tube station in 2005.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Hans Oversnow use several Bombardiers of various marques for their service of the Perisher resort in NSW. Hans Oversnow was kind enough to allow me a visit to their Jindabyne headquarters out of season in 2006 to take the fleet and detail photos of some of their Bombardier Snow Coaches and Muskeg.

Picture Andrew Collier

Picture Andrew Collier

Picture: Andrew Collier

Picture: Andrew Collier

Picture: Andrew Collier

Picture: Andrew Collier

Snow ski (interchangeable with the road wheels) for a snow coach. Picture: Andrew Collier

Picture: Andrew Collier

Picture: Andrew Collier

Picture: Andrew Collier

A great shot by Bruce Hood of the Swagman Chalet's Bombardier at Perisher in 2008.
Picture: Bruce Hood

Three great shots follow by Steve Bottrell who runs the Snow Limo service into Falls Creek, of Falls Creek's previous Bombardier based fleet, taken in 2008 prior to being replaced recently by Prinoth Huskies.

Picture: Steve Bottrell / www.snowlimo.com.au

Picture: Steve Bottrell / www.snowlimo.com.au

Picture: Steve Bottrell / www.snowlimo.com.au

Above and below are 2 pictures of Hans Oversnow removing one of their Snow Coaches toward the end of the 2009 season. Picture: Andrew Collier

Picture: Andrew Collier

Chalet Sonnenhof's Snow Coach and BR100 Bombi parked outside the chalet in Perisher Valley, 2009. Picture: Andrew Collier

Hans Oversnow Bombardier 252s at their Perisher terminal, 2009.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Skidozer 252 at Perisher Valley, 2009. Picture: Andrew Collier

What looks to be either a BR400 or Plus MP and I think LMC 260s at Perisher Valley, 2009 Picture: Andrew Collier

Two Bombardiers (right) at Perisher in 2009 preparing for night snow grooming, with at least one and possibly two 252 Skidozers behind. Picture: Andrew Collier

Snow grooming by Bomvardier in progress later in the evening, Perisher, 2009. Picture: Andrew Collier

A nice atmospheric shot of one of the Falls Creek Bombardiers, this time kindly donated by Kim McKeown, of the fleet's number 6 in it's last season of service, 2010.
Picture: Kim McKeown

Hans Oversnow currently has this Muskeg for sale as of 2011. Picture: Hans Oversnow

Here's a picture of the same Muskeg at Hans Oversnow's depot out of season in late 2011 looking ready for many more years decent work.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Above and below is a Bombardier at Mt Buller during the off season in 2011.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Picture: Andrew Collier

The Snow Coach in the two pictures below has been placed on display in the Mt.Buller village by the National Alpine Museum of Australia. The plaque notes it never served in Mt.Buller, and Ralph Zollinger of Hans Oversnow has advised it had an interesting later life having been purchased with one other Snow Coach from the Charlotte's Pass fleet and used in a Jackie Chan movie as a Russian troop carrier, prior to it's restoration to a more Australian appearance and placement here.

Picture: Andrew Collier

Picture: Andrew Collier

By the time of my out of season late 2011 visit to Hans Oversnow's Jindabyne depot, these two Bombardier skidozers (Left and Right, Thiokol in centre), both featured in pictures on this page above (at Perisher and Falls Creek), had been purchased by Hans Oversnow.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Snow Trac

2011-10-08T01:05:00.000-07:00

At least six Snow Tracs were imported for use in Australia, and a couple remain in existence including apparently two used by the Civil Aviation Authority to access remote snow bound towers. If you want to know more about SnowTracs, there's an excellent private site at: http://www.snow-trac.com/ and Wikipedia has a good overview at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_Trac

What could be more stylish than hanging out with your Snow Trac? A promotional picture taken in NSW and probably dating from the early 1960s.
Picture: Ralph Zollinger Collection

The four pictures below have been generously donated by the Kalymaro Ski Club and show one of the Snow Tracs in use transporting skiiers onto the Main Range during the "Big Snow" of 1964. This practice of accessing the main range via hired Oversnow was later ceased by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, so these pictures provide an insight into what would have been a fascinating ski experience, and a great Oversnow ride!

A wonderful picture overlooking the old Kunama ski bowl.
Picture: Kalymaro Ski Club

A Snow Trac in company with a Tucker SnoCat in Pioneer livery at Lake Albina Hut.
Picture: Kalymaro Ski Club

The pictures above and below show skiiers unloading from the Snow Trac, the ropes used to tow skiiers along being clearly visible on the back wall of the Snow Trac.
Picture: Kalymaro Ski Club

Picture: Kalymaro Ski Club

This 1965 shot is titled “1965 Track vehicle gives a helping hand to skiers at Charlotte Pass” and shows one of the SnowTracs towing skiiers.
Picture: John Tanner, National Archives of Australia

A 1966 picture of what appears to be a State Electricity Commission filming team. Given the date and photo sequence, they may have been filming the SEC’s Tucker in action (see Tucker section, 1966 picture)
Picture: National Archives of Australia

This Snow Trac parked at either Charlotte's Pass or Perisher off-season in 1989 looked like she still had a couple of seasons in her yet.
Picture: Andrew Collier

To help celebrate the Sundeck Chalet's Anniversary in 2010, Ralph Zollinger and Ben Carrie repainted one of the remaining Snow Tracs, apparently it ran well also.
Picture: Ralph Zollinger Collection

Kristi SnowCat

2011-10-08T00:51:00.000-07:00

Given only 180 Kristi SnowCats were built and were only in production between 1956 and 1968, Australia seems to have done well to have at least two! The Kristi appears to have been imported specifically for the Snowy Mountains Authority (SMA) and perhaps the State Electricity Commission of NSW, and saw later recreational use. If you want to know more about Kristi SnowCats, Chris Roth maintains an excellent site at: http://www.kristisnowcat.com/

A 1961picture of a Kristi on the job for the either the SMA or SEC. Chris Roth has confirmed the SMA Kristi was Serial No. 00041
Picture: Powerhouse Museum, Sydney

An SMA photo c.1962.
Picture: “The Snowy Mountains of Australia : in natural colour”, Nucolorvue Productions, 1962

Damian Breitfuss from the Perisher Manor has kindly supplied the great shots above and below of two Kristis during their recreational use. In the picture above a KT3 is seen at Guthega during the 1980s. This Kristi may be that now owned by Hans Oversnow and seen in the last picture in this record.
Picture: Damien Breitfuss

This picture shows an ex-SEC KT3 (serial 00044) being dug out in 1993 at the Perisher Chair. At the time it was owned by the Perisher Chairlift Restaurant, however is now owned by Damien Breitfuss who intends to restore it.
Picture: Damien Breitfuss

This Kristi (serial 00066) was rescued by Hans Oversnow and is seen at their Jindabyne base in 2006
Picture: Andrew Collier

Here again is Hans Oversnow's Kristi, this time in late 2011, still in need of some restoration work, however still in good overall condition.
Picture: Andrew Collier

Tucker Sno-Cat

2011-09-27T04:19:00.000-07:00

At the start of the 1950s, the Tucker Sno Cat appeared in the Australian Alps. A single unit seems to have been ordered for use in Victoria, while in NSW, several were introduced by the Snowy Mountain Scheme to access some of the more remote snowbound regions. Later, from the picture evidence found it appears they moved into commercial use, with at least three still existing today. The numbers of Tuckers used in the Snowies is unknown and any information in this regard would be appreciated. If you’re interested in the marque, this site provides a good range of information on Tucker Sno-Cats:
http://timwafer.com/Tucker/tucker.html

The earliest picture I can find is this one dated c.1945, however is likely to be taken post 1949 as the Snowy Mountains Authority (SMA) was only formed in 1949. The Tucker appears to be a Utility double drive 443 sedan model.
Picture: State Library of Victoria

A fascinating picture of what is thought to be the State Electricity Commission’s (Kiewa, VIC) single pontoon Tucker 423 Sedan model c.1950 in the Victorian Alps.
Picture: State Library of Victoria

Dating from c.1951 are the above picture and the following four, this appearing to be a series taken during the visit of Senator Bill Spooner who was overseeing the SMA at the time. The pictures may well be of the same Tucker model 443 Sedan.
Picture: National Archives of Australia

At Kiandra
Picture: National Archives of Australia

Picture: National Archives of Australia

Picture: National Archives of Australia

The cab looks to have been fairly small!
Picture: National Archives of Australia

The above picture was taken in the 1950s to show the communications the field had from their Tucker. Given the spacious interior, the picture may have been taken inside the SMA’s Tucker Freighter Double Drive 743 model.
Picture: W.Pedersen, National Archives of Australia

This 1955 picture shows the SMA’s Tucker Freighter Double Drive 743 model.
Picture: W.Pedersen, National Archives of Australia

Another 1955 picture of a SMA 743 Freighter, this time at Mt Guthrie, Charlotte Pass.
Picture: W.Pedersen, National Archives of Australia

Though dated 1956, this picture may have been taken in the same session, again showing a SMA 743 Freighter, this time apparently taking supplies to a snowed in area.
Pictures: W.Pedersen, National Archives of Australia

Though the above two pictures are listed as dating from 1956 and 1957, I think they are probably a sequence at the same time during one of these years showing a SMA 743 Tucker preparing to be, and being loaded onto a flat bed AEC? Matador? (Confirmation would be appreciated), likely for either servicing, storage at end of winter, or transport to another snowbound site.
Picture: W.Pedersen, National Archives of Australia

The pictures above (heading up to the summit of Mt Buller) and below (nose of the 423 at the summit) were kindly donated by a member of the Apira Ski Club, and show a Tucker 423 Sedan model run by John Hilton Wood at Mt Buller, taking skiiers to the summit in the 1950s before lifts were installed. The 423 is likely the ex-SECV Tucker noted above.
Picture: Apira Ski Club Member

Picture: Apira Ski Club Member

This picture in the National Alpine Museum of Australia's collection likely shows the 423 model Tucker around the same time.
Picture: National Alpine Museum of Australia

Another 1957 shot of a SMA 743 Freighter, this time showing supplies being loaded at Island Bend.
Picture: W.Pedersen, National Archives of Australia

An SMA 443 Sedan shown parked at Cabramurra(?) in 1960, note the SMA number 2-S-4 on the rear cabin wall.
Picture: Wolfgang Sievers, National Library of Australia

An SMA 443 model Tucker (number 1-S-4) shown in the NSW Main Range, probably around the same time as the previous picture.
Picture: Ralph Zollinger Collection

At some stage during the early 1950s, the ski resorts in NSW purchased several Tucker Sno-Cats, they are later noted in use by Ansett Pioneer during the mid 1960s. The picture above shows a 743 freighter in 1962
Picture: “The Snowy Mountains of Australia : in natural colour”, Nucolorvue Productions, 1962

Another 1962 shot from the Nucolorvue booklet showing a Tucker doing what it does best! It ios not known whether this is an SMA or ski resort Tucker.
Picture: “The Snowy Mountains of Australia : in natural colour”, Nucolorvue Productions, 1962

This picture kindly donated by the Kalymaro Ski Club shows one of the NSW Tuckers repainted into the Pioneer livery of blue and white in company with a Snow Trac at Lake Albina Lodge during the "Big Snow" of 1964, and prior to this lodge being removed in concert with the cessation of skiing on the Main Range by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Picture: Kalymaro Ski Club

This 1966 picture titled “a woman officer of the Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics explaining a form to a snow cat operator”, provides a closer veiw of one of the Pioneer Tuckers.
Picture: National Archives of Australia

This picture is thoughth to be from a postcard of the same era noting this Tucker's name "Hep Cat" and showing the Pioneer livery quite well.
Picture: Ralph Zollinger Collection

This picture is dated 1966 and though this copy is not brilliant, it shows the State Electricity Commission’s (Kiewa, VIC) single pontoon Tucker 423 Sedan model still at work in the Victorian Alps.
Picture: Museum Victoria

This 1967 picture shows two Tuckers, a 743 Freighter (left) and a 443 sedan (right) in the Pioneer “Clipper” livery and here transporting guests at Boonoona Lodge, Perisher Valley.
Picture: Hans Oversnow, Jindabyne

Picture: Andrew Collier

At some stage the Tuckers were retired, and while they’re fate/whereabouts are not known, one of the 743 Frieghters has been rescued by Hans Oversnow whose intention is to one day restore it to glory. Well done Hans Oversnow on taking the trouble to retain this piece of Snowy Mountains history! The pictures above and following were taken during a visit to their headquarters in 2006, showing the now faded Pioneer livery and even some of the original Tucker orange showing through!

Picture: Andrew Collier

Picture: Andrew Collier

Picture: Andrew Collier

The following three pictures show a Double Drive 743 model beautifully restored by the National Alpine Museum of Australia and displayed at Mt.Buller village, here photographed during Spring 2011. According to the information displayed, this Tucker was used to transport Mt.Buller staff around the resort from 1968 until the early 1970s.

Picture: Andrew Collier
Picture: Andrew Collier
Picture: Andrew Collier

M29 Weasel

2011-09-23T20:01:00.001-07:00

In 1948, the NSW Government purchased four M29 Weasels that the Australian Army had been trialling for snow operations and decided not to proceed with, were purchased second hand by the Kosciusko Chalet just after the 2nd World War and put in many years service in the NSW snowfields.
One of the earliest pictures I could find of one of the Weasels in use in the Snowies is this 1947 shot of a non-amphibious model near Mt.Kosciusko in what appears to be its' camouflage livery.
Picture: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

This 1948 picture shows skiers loading their gear into an amphibious model, again seemingly with traces of the camouflage from it's Army trials still in situ.
Picture: National Archives of Australia

While this 1948 picture is titled “Snowmobile and Huskies help transport and injured skier in the Snowy Mountains”, it may show a practice or training session given the appearance of orderliness.
Picture: National Archives of Australia

By this shot at Perisher Gap in 1950, this amphibious M29 had been repainted with the letters H.K.4 presumably standing for Hotel Kosciusko No. 4.
Picture: National Library of Australia

Another 1950 shot at Perisher.
Picture: National Library of Australia

By 1955 this amphibious variant seems to have lost her numbering, gained a more permanent cover, and has possibly now been repainted into the red colour seen in the colour picture below. Here it’s seen at Smiggin Holes in company with a great Humber!
Picture: National Library of Australia

c.1955, two M29s, this picture interestingly titled “The two snow cats which carry guests to and from Australia's newest snow hotel the Man From Snowy River”.
Picture: Don Edwards, National Archives of Australia

In 1959, an amphibious M29 is seen being loaded up and skiers boarding at Smiggins Holes (where the road snowline began at that time) for “transport to upper slopes of Mount Kosciusko”.
Picture: J Tanner, National Archives of Australia

Perhaps the same day, the same M29 is seen “leaving Smiggin Holes, for the upper slopes of Mt Kosciusko”.
Picture: J.Tanner, National Archives of Australia

And also perhaps later on J.Tanner took this shot at Perisher Valley, 1959.
Picture: J.Tanner, National Archives of Australia

A non-amphibious M29 is seen crawling into Smiggin Holes in 1961.
Picture: National Archives of Australia

In this early 1960s shot, a non-amphibious M29 is at Perisher with the new “Man From Snowy River” Hotel in the valley below, together with another unidentified bright red oversnow.
Picture: “The Snowy Mountains of Australia : in natural colour”, Nucolorvue Productions, 1962

This picture dated 1968 shows at least one of the M29s still in use, in this case bringing guests to the “Man From Snowy River” at Perisher Valley.
Picture: Douglass Baglin, National Archives of Australia

Ralph Zollinger of Hans Oversnow has kindly donated the following pictures of the Weasels in service in the NSW Snowies:

Picture: Ralph Zollinger Collection

Picture: Ralph Zollinger Collection

Picture: Ralph Zollinger Collection

Picture: Ralph Zollinger Collection

Tractors in the New South Wales Snowies

2011-09-22T04:44:00.000-07:00

By the 1940s it would seem the Kegresse’s in NSW had been replaced or at least supplemented in service on the run from the cleared road snowline through to the Hotel Kosciusko, the Smiggin Holes Café and the Kosciusko Chalet at Charlotte’s Pass (length of trip presumably dependent on depth and clearance of snow). The book "Skiing off the Roof" notes that after 1936 the Kosciusko Chalet purchased a converted D4 Caterpillar and an Allis Chalmers tractor which were used primarily to haul baggage sleds, and a homemade caravan for guests popularly known as the "ice box".

This picture dated 1940 shows an unidentified tractor, possibly the Chalet's Alice Chalmers with a sled of goods for the Kosciusko Chalet.
Picture: Donated by Cheryl Dunn of behalf of her Father Clarrie Dunn and her Aunt Eva Oddy, nee Dunn, National Library of Australia

In this 1946 photo, a Department of Main Roads tractor is arriving at the Hotel Kosciusko towing a sled carrying 3 tons of stores.
Picture: National Library of Australia

A 1947 picture of the Chalet's D4 Caterpillar with the locally built "ice box" near Wragges Creek.
Picture: National Library of Australia

This photo shows probably the same trip at Smiggin Holes, also in 1947.
Picture: National Library of Australia

A c.1955 picture of a tractor and the "ice box" passing snow clearing equipment. Hard to imagine what the ride in the sled would have been like! The book "Skiing off the Roof" notes it was so cold inside, travellers often preferred to walk alongside!
Picture: National Library of Australia

Below are two more pictures of the D4 Caterpillar, "ice box" and another sled trailer which appears to have used at least one and possibly two bodies of the Citroen Kegresses, courtesy of Ralph Zollinger of Hans Oversnow.

Picture: Ralph Zollinger Collection
Picture: Ralph Zollinger Collection

Cleveland Tractor Company

2011-09-22T03:22:00.000-07:00

At least one and possibly more Cletrac Crawler Tractors were purchased for use at Victoria’s Mount Buffalo resort in the late 1920s and 1930s.

c.1930, a Cletrac is employed helping clear snow.
Picture: State Library of Victoria

c.1938 a Cletrac pulls a sleigh full or well rugged up tourists around the resort.
Picture: State Library of Victoria

David Sisson has done some research on the above picture and found the following: "I came across details of the service this vehicle provided.Tractor to Hump. [6 mile trip from Buffalo Chalet to Cresta ski runs]. 10 shillings return, includes sandwich lunch . 2/6 extra when grill lunch is provided.It looks like this was a regular shuttle that ran several times every day.Source: Gerald Rush. A course of practice in ski-ing. Vic Govt Tourist Bureau, June 1933. Page 19"
Nice work David, thank you.

Barbara Turner has located the excellent picture above of the Mt Buffalo service in 1929. One of the respondents to her picture notes: "This tractor is shown in The Mount Buffalo Story by Webb & Adams, with the following caption - "Proficient skiers rode on a sled drawn by a tractor, usually driven by Fred Chalwell. The journey to Cresta from the Chalet sometimes took an hour" Picture: Barbara Turner
http://www.flickr.com/photos/historyinphotos/3271977128/

This picture taken between 1940 and the late 1940s shows a Cletrac having been fitted with a makeshift (but no doubt welcome) cab, and a snowplough. While the Cletrac company did make snowplough attachments, this one may have been locally built.
Picture: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Citroen

2007-10-14T17:03:00.000-07:00

One of the earliest forms of dedicated mechanised traction in the Australian Alps was provided by the Citroen company in the form of their Kegresse model. At least two Kegresses were owned by the Koscisuko Chalet at Charlotte's Pass in the 1930s, and one other visited for a trip to Mt. Kosciusko. The Chalet Kegresses were used for transporting people, goods and luggage between the cleared road snowline and the Chalet. It is possible at least one of them lasted until after the Second World War.

Above - P series Kegresse and skiers in the early 1930s. This may have been the first owned by the Kosciusko Chalet.
Picture: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Above - Skiers load/unload their equipment from a P series Kegresse near Kosciusko Chalet. Though this picture is dated 1926, the Chalet was constructed in 1930 so it may be working near the Kosciusko Chalet, or the date is incorrect. Again, this may be the first Kegresse owned by the Chalet.
Picture: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Above – A Kegresse, likely a P15N model, taking luggage to the Kosciusko Chalet, the picture being taken from the balcony some time after 1936 when the Chalet purchased this, a later Kegresse, this time with a tray body.
Picture: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Another picture of the tray bodied Kegresse, this one taken a year later, 1937. One of the skis of this Kegresse still exists with a collector in Jindabyne who found it on the Chalet rubbish heap!
Picture: Ralph Zollinger Collection

This postcard is said to be dated between 1950-1959 shows one of the Kegresses (appears to be a P15N) with a bus body at Smiggin Holes, however it is thought the card may be from an earlier period. Any information to assist dating this picture would be appreciated.
Picture: National Library of Australia

For more information on the use of Citroen Kegresses in Australia, including their use in the Snowies, and a current restoration please see:
http://%20www.kegresse.pioneertracks.com/