It’s bye bye Merritts Chairlift and hello Merritts Gondola at Thredbo. The resort’s recent online auction from September 24 to October 1 attracted a huge response from those wanting to grab a piece of history and buy their own chair from the decommissioned Merritts Chairlift.
112 chairs were on offer and each sold for anything from $1935 (Chair 55) to $4005 (Chair 2).
All proceeds of the auction will be distributed to nominated charities including the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation as part of the Event Hospitality Company Giving Program along with local charities to the Snowy Mountains.
The Thredbo Early Childhood Centre, Thredbo Volunteer Ski Patrol, Disabled Wintersports Australia, Jindabyne Trail Stewardship, The Fly Program and Thredbo Historical Society will all benefit from the auction proceeds.
“We were overwhelmed by the response to the auction of the Merritts chairs. It truly shows how passionate and enthusiastic our Thredbo community is, particularly when all proceeds are dedicated to such worthy causes,” said Stuart Diver, General Manager of Thredbo Resort.
Presentations of the donations are planned to take place over the coming weeks. The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation will receive their donation at their biggest fundraising event of the year – Radiothon 2019.
From Tuesday 9 October, the Merritts Chairlift will be decommissioned and deconstructed.
Preparatory works have already commenced on the construction of the new Merritts Gondola, which is planned to be ready for operation in winter 2020.
