Iconic Selwyn resort suffers extensive damage from bushfire

The Selwyn Snow Resort, a popular skiing destination for families in winter, has suffered extensive damage after the buildings were all but destroyed by bushfires.

The full extent of the damage to ski lifts and snowmaking infrastructure is still unknown despite NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service accessing the area on Sunday (5 January), the resort said on their website.

“Selwyn Snow Resort has suffered extensive damage as a result of the recent fires. We are working closely with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and relevant agencies to arrange access to the resort, so we can fully assess the damage that has occurred,” they said on Monday (6 January).

It has since been reported that staff were able to gain access late Monday afternoon.

All staff members were safely evacuated before the weekend and before the fire hit. There were five staff working at the resort in the off-season over summer, while these numbers would jump to around 60 people in peak season.

The Blyton Group, who manage the resort, say they are committed to making the popular destination bigger and better than ever.

“Our focus now is on rebuilding an even better Selwyn. We look forward to working with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, the NSW Department of Planning, Industry & Environment and other relevant agencies in this process,” they said.

The family-run business has said they have been inundated with responses from the community, with people offering everything from help with the cleanup to new equipment for the next season.

Wow…Selwyn Ski Resort totally burnt to the ground. My 2 boys n husband spent every school ski trip there…at least 4-5…great memories 😟😟😞😔

— Alison 🇦🇺 (@pussaluss) January 6, 2020

Mount Selwyn Ski Resort, in the kosciuszko national park nsw reduced to ruins in the fires.
Been visiting here since 1988 and was there only 6 months ago. Please support & visit them once they have re-established (don’t know when they will be) same building behind me in my pic pic.twitter.com/yQV8a68s2I

— Jan Thomas (@O_O_Mars) January 6, 2020

Every snow season we’ve taken our kids to ski at Selwyn with their scout group. Such a family-friendly resort for beginners. This is awful to see. So many memories here.

— Fiona Purcell (@FiPurcell) January 6, 2020

It is still too early to tell if the business will be able to open for the next ski season.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service had issued a leave alert for the Kosciuszko National Park on Thursday, 2 January, ahead of bad weather over the weekend, and multiple fires burning within and around the National Park.

Fires continue to burn in and around the area, with the Doubtful Gap Trail fire, East Ournie Creek fire, the Dunns Road fire, and the Adaminaby Complex fire all burning out of control.

For up-to-date information please refer to the NSW Fires Near Me app, or the RFS website at https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/

Original Article published by Dominic Giannini on The RiotACT.