Blue Cow is a ski resort that is part of Perisher located in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, Australia, within the Snowy Monaro Regional Council. The resort is situated within the Kosciuszko National Park and is administered by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. During winter months, the only access to the village is via the Skitube underground railway. In summer, access is via off-road only. Blue Cow is one of the four resort bases within Perisher, Australia's largest ski resort.

Blue Cow
Mount Blue Cow is one of the four village bases of Perisher Ski Resort
Mount Blue Cow is one of the four village bases of Perisher Ski Resort
LocationBlue Cow, Snowy Mountains, New South Wales, Australia
Nearest major cityCanberra
Coordinates36°22′S 148°24′E / 36.367°S 148.400°E / -36.367; 148.400
Vertical355 m (1,165 ft)
Top elevation1,890 m (6,200 ft)
Base elevation1,605 m (5,266 ft)
Skiable area1,245 ha (3,080 acres)
Longest run3 km (1.9 mi)
Total lengthover 100 km (62 mi)
Lift system48 lifts
Lift capacitypassengers/hr
Terrain parksKosciuszko National Park
Websiteperisher.com.au
Blue Cow Mountain
The Blue Cow
Mount Blue Cow
Looking towards the summit from outside Blue Cow Terminal.
Highest point
Elevation1,901 m (6,237 ft)[1]
AHD
Parent peakMount Kosciuszko
ListingMountains of New South Wales
Coordinates36°22′S 148°23′E / 36.367°S 148.383°E / -36.367; 148.383[2]
Geography
Blue Cow Mountain is located in New South Wales
Blue Cow Mountain
Blue Cow Mountain
Location of Blue Cow Mountain in New South Wales
CountryAustralia
StateNew South Wales
Parent rangeSnowy Mountains
Topo mapGeehi Dam

Also known as the Blue Cow Mountain, Mount Blue Cow or The Blue Cow,[2] the mountain lies within the Main Range of Snowy Mountains, part of the Great Dividing Range. Blue Cow Mountain has an elevation of 1,901 metres (6,237 ft) above sea level.[1]

Skiing

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Looking back from summit of Ridge Quad Chair towards Blue Cow Terminal.

The last establishment of a major skifield in New South Wales came with the development of Mount Blue Cow in the 1980s. In 1987 the Skitube Alpine Railway opened to deliver skiers from Bullocks Flat, on the Alpine Way, to Perisher Valley and to Blue Cow, which also opened in 1987.[3] The operators of Blue Cow purchased Guthega in 1991, and the new combined resort later merged with Perisher-Smiggins to become the largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere.[3] In 2022 Perisher had 48 lifts covering 1,245 hectares (3,080 acres) and four village base areas: Perisher Valley, Blue Cow, Smiggin Holes and Guthega.[4]

Blue Cow has eight ski lifts:

  • Ridge Quad Chair
  • Summit Quad Chair
  • Early Starter Double Chair
  • Terminal Quad Chair
  • Brumby T-Bar
  • Pony Ride Carpet
  • Snowsports School Rope Tow (Snowsports School only)
  • Pleasant Valley Quad Chair

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Map of Blue Cow Mountain Terminal, NSW". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Blue Cow Mountain". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 10 May 2015.  
  3. ^ a b "The History of Perisher". perisher.com.au. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Resort Stats". perisher.com.au. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
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