Thredbo, Celebrates 60 years

Thredbo is celebrating its 60^th anniversary this upcoming winter and can’t wait to get the massive season underway with another winter of huge celebrations, events and activities planned for everyone to enjoy.

1957 marked the first year that the chairlifts started turning in Thredbo, thanks to the vision and passion from a couple of keen skiers named Tony Sponar and Charles Anton. They both saw Thredbo as the perfect location for a ski resort due to its variety of good vertical terrain and potential buzzing ski village atmosphere. Fast forward 60 years and Thredbo is still Australia’s premier winter holiday destination offering its guests an amazing experience both on and off the mountain.

We recently caught up with Frank Prihoda, Australia’s oldest living Olympian and Thredbo resident. At 95, Frank has seen Thredbo over the past 60 years grow into the world class ski resort it is today.

A few years after the end of WWI, Frank was born in Czechoslovakia in 1921. In 1948, Frank emigrated to Australia where he started one of the first ski-lodge businesses in Thredbo. Frank also competed for Australia in the Winter Olympic Games as an alpine downhill skier in 1956.

Frank is full of wisdom and knowledge and happily shares some of his fondest moments that have become frozen in time. Sharing a true love and strong spiritual connection to Thredbo and the mountain, that so many of Thredbo’s guests do…this is is Franks perspective of Thredbo during its early years.

Thredbo is planning some special events so stay tuned and come and celebrate 60 years of stoke!

Here are some other fun things Thredbo have planned to celebrate the occasion….

Ring the bell…
In honour of its 60^th year Thredbo will be installing a commemorative ‘2037’ bell at the top of the highest lifted point in Australia, the top of Karels T-Bar. The Bell, placed at 2037 metres above sea level, will be a great addition to the standard ‘selfie’ and will allow skiers and snowboarders to announce to the whole of Thredbo Valley that they have reached the top of Thredbo, the highest lifted point in Australia.

Thredbo Village Lights Up…
Thredbo’s magical village will be made even more picturesque this winter with the addition of some beautiful tree lighting throughout the village. Complementing the vibrant après scene that Thredbo village enjoys it’s also sure to be a massive hit with families and kids as they experience a true winter wonderland.

Thredbo, Pioneers, Legends, Community…The Book
To celebrate the many legends, pioneers and community of Thredbo, Thredbo’s Historical Society will be releasing a Thredbo 60th anniversary coffee table book this winter.

The book, written by Chas Keys, will feature the Pioneers and Legends of Thredbo, its broader community groups that have evolved over those years , well known locals and identities , fashions, plus segments on the resorts key stakeholders, Kosciuszko Thredbo Pty Ltd, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Snowy Hydro Scheme.

The book will be released in June in Sydney and on the 26th July in Thredbo. Make sure you pick one up at the Thredbo Ski Museum or other Thredbo outlets.

Want to come celebrate with us this winter?
Give Thredbo Resort Centre a call on 1300 020 589  or click here to see some great accommodation packages available.