WHEN it comes to Perisher Valley history, The Man from Snowy River Hotel is in the Iconic category. The hotel opened its doors on the 25th of June 1960, the lights of the inn glowing warmly against the snow through the high glass facade. This welcome glow has become a symbol of the warmth and hospitality provided to guests for the past 60 years.
When Ken Murray built the Sundeck Hotel in 1959, he was only going to build one hotel and one ski tow. However, the success of the venture prompted him to embark on a second hotel and T-bar for the 1960 season. Construction of the 150,000 pound “The Man” began on the 6th January 1960 and just four weeks later the Sundeck was destroyed by fire. So, the race was on to build two hotels before the snow arrived.
The completion of the hotels was a battle against the elements. Perisher Valley was snowed in two months early (22 April) and a succession of early blizzards continued to build snow depths. Materials were buried several feet under the snow and had to be dug up. The road head remained a mile away at Smiggin Holes and hundreds of tons of timber, other building requisites plus hotel equipment and furniture had to be transported over snow.
Four weasel machines, imported for the carriage of guests achieved miracles and even hauled three emergency generators weighing five tons each.
The Man from Snowy River was opened on schedule on 25th June 1960 with 39 rooms, 39 bathrooms, a swimming pool in front and a tennis court.
The opening was quite something: employees of Architon Constructions, the Cooma builders, many still in their work gear, plus mountain staff, hotel guests and other lodge guests packed the venue. The boilers and heating had been commissioned that day and as the building warmed up, snow and ice that had been built into the construction, since April 22, began to melt.
The party raged on into the night and the next day hungover construction workers had to repair water damage, plus damage from the party. The new Sundeck opened on 30th July, three weeks later.
The first manager of “The Man” was Fritz Feiersinger followed by Ken Murray's sister and brother-in-law, Gwen and Alan Cooper, who stayed at the hotel until 1974. The lounge area was ideal for parties and guests had many interesting and fun nights with fashion parades put on by Gwen and entertainment provided by Ken Rouse and his band; Fritz playing his beloved harp and Hans Weikl with his squeeze box.
Murray Publishers Pty Limited was taken over by Australian Consolidated Press in 1972 and Kosciusko Alpine Resorts was formed. Murray Publishers then traded under the name of Perisher Ski Resort which incorporated the resorts of Perisher and Smiggins.
Stan Mouchka became the manager of the Hotel, working for Kerry Packer. In 1978 the hotel was purchased by four families, the Bart, Breuer, Burger and Lendvay families.
Managers during this time included Chris Brown, Joe Goddard, Dick and Julie Buelow. In 1987 Ann and Brian Smith became managers and would run the hotel for 26 of its 60 years. Brian was a terrific publican overseeing The Man's famous public bar, with Ann looking after guests in the accommodation.
Brian, a passionate Parramatta supporter could always be found in the bar on Friday evenings to keep a close eye on his patrons plus watch Friday night football. In between greeting guests, Ann could be found skiing the cross-country trails, always looking stunning in the latest fashionable attire. Ann and Brian raised their two children, Kate and Stephen at the hotel and finally retired to warmer surrounds at the end of the 2013 season.
For the past seven years, The Man has been under the management of Mark and Jen Mooney.
One of the big changes Mark and Jen have made is introduce lunch into the public bar in the 2014 season. It was so successful that they followed this with pub dinners a few years later and the pub is now known as the place to dine in Perisher Valley.
The pub food scene has really changed, and their offerings include everything from the quintessential large parmi through to tuna poke bowls, peking duck pancakes and in the evenings a grill menu with Riverina prime steaks, Cowra lamb chops and seafood fresh from the South Coast.
The pub bar continues the tradition from the feisty early days, famous now for its lively daily Après sessions with mountain goers often dancing in their ski boots to live music (in a normal season). On a sunny day, guests can sit on the hotel's extensive front terrace, enjoy lunch, a cold beer and watch people zooming down Front and Centre Valley.
In 2018, after planning approvals and an extensive renovation, the Hotel opened its stunning Mountain Spa adding massage, beauty, hair and wellness facilities to its offering. The spa has six treatment rooms, including a hair salon, bathing facility and yoga studio. The spa's signature treatments, tailored specifically for the alpine environment and using Australian organic products, are incredibly popular and book out well in advance.
The hotel's fine dining room, with its two-storey glass facade overlooking Front Valley, was renovated last year. With a nod to its 1960s architecture, Mark and Jen introduced reproduction Hans Wegner chairs, some black booth seating and retro timber ceiling pendants. New dark tan leather lounge furniture and Hereford hides and cushions complete the mountain chic look which rivals some of the world's great ski hotels.
Head Chef, Mark Bunter returns for his third season at the Man. Welcomed back from two-hatted Wasabi, Noosa and having worked in Hakuba, Japan and Whistler, Canada, Mark's creative menus use local produce extensively, giving the award-winning dining room the flair for which it has become renowned.
Jen Mooney said, “The hotel always has regular guests who have stayed here for over 40 years and they "own" and love The Man as much as we do.”
For more history, visit www.perisherhistory.org.au
