Need a new message for here or hide it for now

Our history

Since founding in 1950, AAC has been involved in the creation of many Australian ski lodges (plus one in Japan!). Our history is intrinsically linked with the increased popularity of Australian skiing the occurred in the mid-20th century. 

history of australian skiing

Key moments in AAC history

1950
The AAC is founded by Charles Anton
1951
The first AAC lodge, Lake Albina Ski Lodge, is built 
1953
Completion of Kunama Huette 
1956
Work begins on restoring Pounds Creek Hut, reopened as Illawong Lodge
1956
Avalanche destroys Kunama Huette, killing Roslyn Wesche
1959
Kareela Lodge is built 
1962
Kareela Lodge is sold to the Thredbo Company, and funds were used to built Perisher Huette
1963
Perisher Huette and Falls Creek Huette are opened
1966
Patscherkofel at Mt Buller is completed
1966
Charles Anton dies, with his ashes interred in a boulder near the top of the Thredbo chairlift
1971
New Falls Creek Lodge is opened, previous sold to girls’ school
1972
Anton Huette is opened
1976
Roslyn Lodge is built
1987
AAC Dinner Plain is opened
2007
AAC’s first international lodge, AAC Niseko, Japan is purchased

Learn more about Australian skiing and the AAC

Interested in learning more about the growth of skiing across Australia? We’ve broken down the history of skiing in Australia into separate sections. Click on one below to read about it:

The early years

The first AAC lodge built was the Lake Albina Ski Lodge, which opened in 1951, and was shortly followed by the creation of Kunama Huette. The restoration of Pounds Creek Hut to form the Illawong Lodge happened 1956, the same year that Kunama Huette was destroyed by an avalanche, which sadly claimed the life of Roslyn Wesche (the Roslyn Lodge was built in her honour in 1976).

Further developments

1959 saw the building of Kareela Lodge, which was then sold to the Therdbo company, and the funds used to form Perisher Huette (which opened in 1963). 1963 also saw the building of the original Falls Creek Huette. In 1966, Patscherkofel at Mt Buller was completed. Sadly, Charles also passed away in 1966. He was interred in a giant boulder near the top of the Thredbo chairlift. The Anton Huette Lodge was opened at Mount Hotham in 1972.

In 1987, the Dinner Plain ski lodge was opened, and in 2007, the club made their first international acquisition with the opening of the Niseko, Japan lodge.

Becoming an AAC member

To become an AAC member, you will need to contact the Membership Officer for the lodge you wish to join. There is a fee associated with becoming an AAC member. Contact the relevant lodge to learn more about joining the AAC: