NSW Nordic Ski Club
Off the Beaten Track Notes - Whites River and Beyond
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Map Courtesy of "Bushwalking in Kosciukso National Park" - Charles Warner
Whites River corridor, which provides access to the Main Range from Munyang (Guthega) Power Station on the Snowy River, provides quick and relatively easy access to the central part of the Snowy Mountains ski fields. It can be used for leisurely day trips or for much longer trips to just about anywhere.
From the Jindabyne - Perisher road turn right just past Rennix Gap and follow the signs to Guthega. About 11km after the turnoff turn right to the signposted Munyang Power Station. Park in the car park there. A toilet open to the public is located in the Power Station building. On Friday night one can camp at the rest area shown on the Kosciusko 1:50,000 map at GR 322 786.
Skiing Standard:
Skiing is generally easy, as there is little or no tree skiing. Coming back down the hill to Munyang can be tricky. If so, just remove your skis and walk the tricky bits.
Day Trip:
Munyang to Schlink Hilton and return. Map: Kosciusko, 1:50,000.
From the Munyang car park, take the road marked on the map that goes up the hill beside the switchyard. It can require considerable walking in marginal snow conditions.
Then just follow the road to Schlink Pass and gently downhill to the Schlink Hilton hut. Alternatively, if you are looking for a really easy day, Horse Camp hut (GR 253 782) is a pleasant spot. To return from Schlink pass, you can take all the left turns in the road and return via the Disappointment Spur track. The top part of this is shown on the sketch map accompanying this article, but not on the Kosciusko map. Nevertheless it is there.
Overnight Trip
For an overnight trip, ski to Schlink Hilton hut (GR 244 845). Strong parties could get to Mawsons or Valentines hut easily in a day with good snow and weather. You will need the Khancoban 1:50,000 map for this.
If going to Mawsons hut, the creek that the road crosses at GR 244 834 is open and a delightful ski to either Gungarten Pass and Valentine Creek, or to the Kerries, thence to Mawsons.
If going to Valentines hut, ski to the road junction at GR 234 859, then follow the Valentines Fire Trail across the marked ford. Most parties then ski up to the saddle at GR 233 873 and follow the tributary to Duck Creek, then to the hut (leave the creek about 500m before the hut to avoid trees).
From Valentines or Mawsons Huts, you can return via the other. Either of these huts puts you within a half-day's skiing of Mt Jagungal. So if you have another day to spare, take daypacks for an exhilarating day's skiing. Jagungal is climbed easily from the south via either the Strumbo range and the south-west ridge, or from the south-east via the Toolong Range. Either way, the ski down is terrific, if you can see. Just ask Kathy Hussellbee!
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