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{{Short description|Ski resort in New South Wales, Australia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2011}}
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|top_elevation= {{convert|1964|m|abbr=on|0}}
|base_elevation= {{convert|1755|m|abbr=on|0}}
|skiable_area=
|number_trails=
|longest_run=
|liftsystem= 5 total; 1 triple [[chairlift]], 4 [[surface lifts]] (1 T-bar, 2 platter Lifts, 1 moving carpet)
|lift_capacity=
|terrainparks=1 small, movable
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|external_link= http://www.charlottepass.com.au/
|}}
'''Charlotte Pass''' (often erroneously referred to as Charlotte's Pass)
Charlotte Pass Village
The pass and village are named after [[Charlotte Adams]], who, in 1881, was the first European woman to climb Mount Kosciuszko.<ref name="smrto">{{cite web |title=Charlotte Pass |publisher=Snowy Mountains regional tourism organisation |year=2006 |accessdate=2008-04-30 |url=http://snowymountains.com.au/Charlotte_Pass.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331181436/http://snowymountains.com.au/Charlotte_Pass.html |archive-date=31 March 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
Charlotte Pass provides access to some of Australia's highest alpine terrain and was formerly a stop-off point for public vehicular access to Mount Kosciuszko, though the public access road now terminates at the Pass. Being an [[Alpine climate|alpine]] area, it is subject to extremes in temperature, and is a recognised environmentally sensitive zone.<ref name="dewhanrp">{{cite web |title=National recovery plan for the Threatened Alpine Flora |publisher=[[Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts]] |date=3 September 2007 |accessdate=2008-04-30 |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/recovery/alpine-flora/index.html}}</ref>
==History==
The [[Snowy Mountains]] region is thought to have had Aboriginal occupation for some twenty thousand years. Large scale intertribal gatherings were held in the High Country during summer for collective feasting on the [[Bogong moth]]. This practice continued until around 1865.<ref>[http://www.kiandrahistory.net/indigenous.html Kiandra Historical Society]</ref> The area was first explored by Europeans in 1835, and in 1840, [[Paweł Edmund Strzelecki|Edmund Strzelecki]] ascended Mount Kosciuszko and named it after a Polish patriot. High country stockmen followed who used the Snowy Mountains for grazing during the summer months. [[Banjo Paterson]]'s famous poem [[The Man from Snowy River (poem)|''The Man From Snowy River'']] recalls this era. The cattle graziers have left a legacy of mountain huts scattered across the area.<ref>[https://archive.today/20020126000644/http://www.kosciuskohuts.org.au/
The [[Kosciuszko National Park]] in which Charlotte Pass is situated came into existence as the National Chase Snowy Mountains on 5 December 1906.<ref name=ABCNews1/> In April 1944, following the passage of the Kosciusko State Park Act, the Kosciusko State Park was proclaimed.<ref name=KosStatePkSMH1>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17926115 |title=KOSCIUSKO STATE PARK. |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=1 November 1944 |accessdate=25 April 2014 |page=7 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref name=KosStatePkAct>{{cite web|title=Kosciusko State Park Act 1944|url=http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/nsw/num_act/kspa1944n14264.pdf|publisher=AustLII|accessdate=25 April 2014|pages=1}}</ref> In 1967, this became the Kosciusko National Park,<ref name=ABCNews1>{{cite web|title=Top of Australia hosts park's centenary|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-12-05/top-of-australia-hosts-parks-centenary/2145852|work=ABC News Australia|accessdate=25 April 2014|date=5 December 2006}}</ref> renamed Kosciuszko National Park<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gnb.nsw.gov.au/place_naming/placename_search/extract?id=KWwGjzsEJP|title=Extract - Geographical Names Board of NSW|last=Wales|first=Geographical Name Board of New South|website=www.gnb.nsw.gov.au|access-date=2017-02-18}}</ref> in 1997.
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[[Image:Charlotte Pass, winter view.jpg|thumb|left|Looking through Charlotte Pass towards the main range in winter.]]
[[Image:The Chalet Charlotte Pass Village.jpg|thumb|left|The Chalet during August]]
[[File:Charlotte´s Pass - village - panoramio.jpg|thumb|left|Charlotte Pass in April]]
The historic Kosciuszko Chalet was the first building at Charlotte Pass village, and was opened on 10 May 1930. The Chalet at Charlotte Pass was one of several alpine area accommodation facilities built by government in Australia, and offered an opulent life style at the time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Recreation in the Australian Alps |publisher=[[Department of the Environment and Heritage (Australia)]], Australian Alps national parks Co-operative Management Program |date=2005-01-24 |accessdate=2008-12-01 |url=http://www.australianalps.deh.gov.au/publications/edukit/rec.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720114000/http://www.australianalps.deh.gov.au/publications/edukit/rec.html |archivedate=20 July 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Chalet burnt down in August 1938, and a new Chalet was built in its place the following summer. The Chalet is still the largest and most significant building in the village, and remains the heart of the village in winter.
[[Skiing in Australia]] had begun some six decades earlier at [[Kiandra]] in the Northern Snowy Mountains, but the first Kosciuszko Chalet built at Charlotte Pass in 1930 gave relatively comfortable access to Australia's highest terrain.<ref>{{cite web |author=Chirp Internet |url=http://www.charlottepass.com.au/chalet.html |title=Charlotte Pass Ski Resort – Kosciuszko Chalet Hotel |publisher=Charlottepass.com.au |accessdate=2013-08-27 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310170458/http://www.charlottepass.com.au/chalet.html |archivedate=10 March 2011}}</ref> At 1760m, Charlotte Pass has the highest village base elevation of any Australia ski resort and can only be accessed via over-snow transport in winter.<ref name="smh.com.au">{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/travel/50-reasons-to-love-australian-snow-20090603-bv3f.html?page=-1 | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=50 reasons to love Australian snow | first1=Robert | last1=Upe | first2=Jim | last2=Darby | first3=Russell | last3=Holt | first4=Susan | last4=Bredow | date=6 June 2009}}</ref> The growing number of ski enthusiasts heading to Charlotte Pass led to the establishment of a cafe at [[Smiggin Holes]] around 1939, where horse-drawn sleighs would deliver skiers to
Ski fields beyond Charlotte Pass and up by Kosciuszko's side were also established during this period, though their existence is now little realised. The [[Australian Alpine Club]] was founded in 1950 by [[Charles Anton]] with a view to establishing a chain of lodges for ski touring across the Australian Alps. Huts were constructed in the "Back Country" close to Mount Kosciuszko, including [[Kunama Hut]], which opened for the 1953 season. A rope tow was installed on [[Mount Northcote]] at the site and opened in 1954. The site proved excellent for speed skiing, but the hut was destroyed in an [[avalanche]], which also killed one person, in 1956.<ref>[http://www.australianalpineclub.com/index.html History of the Australian Alpine Club]</ref> In 1964, Australia briefly boasted the "World's Longest [[Chairlift]]", designed to carry skiers from the Thredbo Valley to Charlotte Pass, but technical difficulties soon closed the facility.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.smh.com.au/travel/of-ice-and-men-20090121-7mbh.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=Of ice and men | date=24 January 2009}}</ref><ref name=Jagungal>{{cite web|title=NSW Wilderness Red Index – Jagungal|url=http://www.colongwilderness.org.au/archive/RedIndex/NSW/Jagu99.htm|publisher=Colong Foundation for Wilderness|accessdate=25 April 2014|year=1999}}</ref>
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==Climate==
Charlotte Pass has a [[
Annual rain fall averages 2329.6 mm,<ref name="kpc">{{cite web |title=Kosciuszko National Park – Climate |publisher=[[New South Wales Department of Environment and Climate Change]] |date=22 April 2008 |accessdate=2008-04-30 |url=http://www2.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/parks.nsf/ParkContent/N0018?OpenDocument&ParkKey=N0018&Type=S |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080423041552/http://www2.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/parks.nsf/ParkContent/N0018?OpenDocument&ParkKey=N0018&Type=S |archive-date=23 April 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> with about half falling as snow between May and September, although conditions result in
Snow has been recorded at all times of the year, some persisting on the ground for
|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/inside/services_policy/marine/sydney_hobart/execsum.html |accessdate=2008-08-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Significant Weather – December 2004 |publisher=[[Bureau of Meteorology (Australia)|Bureau of Meteorology]], Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/inside/services_policy/public/sigwxsum/pdf/sigw1204.pdf|accessdate=2008-08-25}}</ref> While
|accessdate=2008-08-25}}</ref>
{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Charlotte Pass (Kosciuszko Chalet) (1991–2015, extremes 1930–2015); {{cvt|1755|m|}} AMSL; 36.43° S, 148.33° E
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|precipitation colour = green
|unit precipitation days = 0.2 mm
|Jan record high C = 29.7
|Feb record high C = 28.0
|Mar record high C = 24.5
|Apr record high C = 19.8
|May record high C = 16.2
|Jun record high C = 12.3
|Jul record high C = 9.0
|Aug record high C = 11.1
|Sep record high C = 15.6
|Oct record high C = 20.5
|Nov record high C = 28.3
|Dec record high C = 28.9
|year record high C =
| Jan high C = 18.6
| Feb high C = 17.7
| Mar high C = 14.8
| Apr high C = 10.9
| May high C = 7.3
| Jun high C = 3.9
| Jul high C = 2.2
| Aug high C = 3.1
| Sep high C = 5.4
| Oct high C = 10.2
| Nov high C = 13.7
| Dec high C = 15.8
|year high C =
|Jan mean C = 12.3
|Feb mean C = 11.6
|Mar mean C = 8.7
|Apr mean C = 5.1
|May mean C = 2.4
|Jun mean C = -0.1
|Jul mean C = -2.0
|Aug mean C = -1.2
|Sep mean C = 1.5
|Oct mean C = 5.0
|Nov mean C = 8.1
|Dec mean C = 9.7
|year mean C =
| Jan low C = 5.9
| Feb low C = 5.4
| Mar low C = 2.5
| Apr low C = -0.8
| May low C = -2.5
| Jun low C = -4.1
| Jul low C = -6.2
| Aug low C = -5.5
| Sep low C = -2.5
| Oct low C = -0.3
| Nov low C = 2.5
| Dec low C = 3.6
|year low C =
|Jan record low C = -5.6
|Feb record low C = -5.5
|Mar record low C = -6.7
|Apr record low C = -13.0
|May record low C = -13.4
|Jun record low C = -23.0
|Jul record low C = -19.6
|Aug record low C = -20.6
|Sep record low C = -16.7
|Oct record low C = -12.0
|Nov record low C = -9.4
|Dec record low C = -7.0
|year record low C =
| Jan precipitation mm = 111.7
| Feb precipitation mm = 130.1
| Mar precipitation mm = 119.5
| Apr precipitation mm = 95.8
| May precipitation mm = 138.7
| Jun precipitation mm = 120.0
| Jul precipitation mm = 96.4
| Aug precipitation mm = 114.6
| Sep precipitation mm = 147.6
| Oct precipitation mm = 99.5
| Nov precipitation mm = 171.0
| Dec precipitation mm = 144.8
|year precipitation mm = 1494.4
|Jan precipitation days = 10.3
|Feb precipitation days = 10.4
|Mar precipitation days = 10.1
|Apr precipitation days = 10.6
|May precipitation days = 11.9
|Jun precipitation days = 12.8
|Jul precipitation days = 12.2
|Aug precipitation days = 13.5
|Sep precipitation days = 11.6
|Oct precipitation days = 11.0
|Nov precipitation days = 11.7
|Dec precipitation days = 9.0
|year precipitation days =
|source = [[Bureau of Meteorology (Australia)|Bureau of Meteorology]]<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/cvg/av?p_stn_num=071003&p_prim_element_index=0&p_comp_element_index=0&redraw=null&p_display_type=full_statistics_table&normals_years=1991-2020&tablesizebutt=normal
|title = Climate Statistics for Charlotte Pass (Kosciuszko Chalet)
|publisher = Bureau of Meteorology
|access-date = 4 June 2024}}</ref>
}}
{{Weather box
|location = Charlotte Pass (Kosciuszko Chalet, 1930–2015); 1,755 m AMSL; 36.43° S, 148.33° E
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
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|Dec precipitation days = 9.0
|year precipitation days =
|humidity colour=
|Jan
|Feb
|Mar
|Apr
|May
|Jun
|Jul
|Aug
|Sep
|Oct
|Nov
|Dec
|year
|source 1 = [http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_071003_All.shtml Australian Bureau of Meteorology; Charlotte Pass (Kosciuszko Chalet)]
}}
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The area has been long been used as a base for environmental research, for example for [[plankton]] studies in the nearby post glacial lake [[Blue Lake (New South Wales)|Blue Lake]] in 1937 using a flat bottomed boat,<ref>{{cite web |title=WISENET Journal, Number 44, July 1997, Dr Isobel Bennett, AO – An oral history interview by Diana Wyndham |publisher=Women in Science Enquiry Network Inc. |date=January 1997 |accessdate=2008-04-30 |url=http://www.wisenet-australia.org/ISSUE44/isobelb.html}}</ref> and more recently, for example in 1997 as a heliport for studies of the [[Mountain Pygmy Possum|mountain pygmy possum]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Re-assessment of ''burramys parvus'' population size and distribution of habitat in Kosciuszko National Park: 1997 Progress Report. |publisher=[[Australian Institute of Alpine Studies]] |date=2 May 1998 |accessdate=2008-04-30 |url=http://www.aias.org.au/newsletters/newslet2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719025609/http://www.aias.org.au/newsletters/newslet2.html |archive-date=19 July 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Of major faunal significance is the endangered [[mountain pygmy possum]] (''Burramys parvus''),<ref>{{cite web |title=Mountain Pygmy-possum – Priority actions |publisher=[[New South Wales Department of Environment and Climate Change]] |date=1 September 2005 |accessdate=2008-04-30 |url=http://threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/tsprofile/pas_profile.aspx?id=10114 |archive-date=14 August 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080814020828/http://www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/tsprofile/pas_profile.aspx?id=10114 |url-status=dead }}</ref> which from 1894<ref>{{cite web |title=Southern Exposure – Mountain Pygmy Possum |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |year=2000 |accessdate=2008-04-30 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/storm/exposure/possum.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725140630/http://www.abc.net.au/storm/exposure/possum.htm |archive-date=25 July 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> until 1966 was only known from the fossil record,<ref name=Jagungal/> and the threatened [[broad-toothed mouse]]. These small [[marsupials]] are adapted to mountain life, however most other Australian animals find it hard to survive the cold climate and heavy snow. Animals that do manage to survive in the area and are occasionally seen include [[eastern grey kangaroo]]s, [[Common wombat|wombats]], [[platypus]], [[crows]], [[Australian magpie|magpies]], [[crimson rosella]]s, [[flame robin]]s, and introduced animals such as [[European rabbit|rabbits]], [[red fox|foxes]] and [[red deer]].
==Recreation==
=== Skiing===
An area between [[Kangaroo Ridge]], [[Mount
It is the oldest and highest ski resort in Australia.<ref name="cpsra"/>
The resort contains five ski lifts, one triple [[chairlift]], one [[T-bar lift|T-bar]], two [[platter lift]]s and a beginner's moving carpet (which replaced a rope tow in 2008), accessing 50 hectares of skiable terrain.<ref name="cpsra"/> These lifts are commonly referred to as the Kosciuszko Triple Chair, the Pulpit T-bar, the Basin Poma, Guthrie's High Speed Poma and the Kosciusko Carpet (colloquially known as the 'Kosci Carpet'). The highest lifted elevation is 1,964 m; the base elevation 1,755 m; giving a downhill skier's vertical of 210 m.<ref name="cpsra"/> The resort currently only lifts to part of its leased area. A small terrain park was first constructed in 2008. The resort has a few mobile snow guns to top up high traffic areas and help open difficult terrain areas earlier in the season. A list of all ski lifts to have operated at Charlotte Pass can be found at the [http://www.australianmountains.com/australianskilifts/#5 Australian Ski Lift Directory].
The resort is also very popular with cross-country skiers, as the village provides immediate access to Australia's highest peaks.<ref>{{cite web|title=11 Years of the CCCSC Kosciuszko Tour – 1993 to 2003 |publisher=Canberra Cross-Country Ski Club |date=2004-08-20 |accessdate=2008-04-30 |url=http://www.cccsc.asn.au/Text/History/KTinfo20.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424091227/http://www.cccsc.asn.au/Text/History/KTinfo20.html |archivedate=24 April 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
The resort receives, on average, more natural snow than other Australian resorts because of its elevation. In 1981, one weather event dropped snow to the extent that the Kangaroo Ridge triple chair terminus was buried in snow, over the top of the pylon, by the cornice by up to 0.5 m.<ref>Photograph displayed in dining room of Tar Gan Gil lodge, Charlotte Pass Village</ref> This level of snow fall is an exception.<ref>{{cite web |title=Climate Education – Abundant snow seasons |publisher=[[Bureau of Meteorology]], Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts |url=http://www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/c20thc/temp5.htm |accessdate=2008-08-25|archiveurl=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20090317054300/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/96122/20090317-1643/www.bom.gov.au/lam/climate/levelthree/c20thc/temp5.html|archivedate=17 March 2009}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
The Charlotte Pass ski area might be the only area in Australia with viable natural snow in several years' time, owing to the impact of [[global warming]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Australian ski resorts must diversify or perish: ANU study |publisher=[[Australian National University]] |date=10 June 1997 |accessdate=2008-04-30 |url=http://info.anu.edu.au/OVC/Media/Media_Releases/_1997/snow.html }}</ref>
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|overlay4top = 185
|overlay4left = 263
|overlay5 = Basin Poma (
|overlay5top = 185
|overlay5left = 395
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=== Kosciuszko Main Range Walks===
During the summer, Charlotte Pass is a base for bushwalkers with intent to walk to the top of [[Mount Kosciuszko]] and access the [[Main Range (Snowy Mountains)|Main Range]]. The mountain can be accessed by the
[[File:Seamans hut.jpg|thumb|[[Seaman's Hut]] on the old Summit Road en route to Mount Kosciuszko from Charlotte Pass. (October 2013)]]
The Charlotte Pass to Kosciuszko walk follows the old Summit Road, which was closed to vehicles in 1976. It crosses the Snowy River at 4.
The Charlotte Pass to [[Blue Lake (New South Wales)|Blue Lake]] walk crosses the [[Snowy River]] before ascending through alpine herbfields past Hedley Tarn lookout to Blue Lake lookout.<ref name="environment.nsw.gov.au"/> The Blue Lake is one of only four [[cirque]] lakes found in mainland Australia and contains the best-developed glacial features in the Kosciuszko National Park alpine area of New South Wales. The Lake can be accessed by a 4-hour round-trip walk from Charlotte Pass.
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==Access==
In summer, access is by [[Kosciuszko Road]] from [[
In winter, the area is snow-bound and can only be accessed by snowmobile from the [[Perisher Valley]] [[
The area has not always been regarded as being easily accessible to all people. In the mid 20th century, the Chalet at Charlotte Pass was referred to as a ''breeding ground for snobocracy'' by local politician [[John Wesley Seiffert]] who by public criticism obtained a reduced bus fare to the area, thus opening the snowfields to a wider range of people.<ref>{{cite
==Management and Services==
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Services such as garbage collection and sewage processing are the responsibility of the area's lessee.
Private services at the resort include a ski and snowboard school
{{overlay
|image = Charlotte Pass Village in August.jpg
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|overlay13top = 266
|overlay13left = 512
|overlay14 =
|overlay14top = 280
|overlay14left = 565
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}}
==See
* [[Skiing in Australia]]
* [[List of extreme temperatures in Australia]]
==References==
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