The Paralyser / Perisher Backside
Whilst it's hardly backcountry the slopes of Mt Perisher that are out of the resort boundary offer some great skiing and some can be repeat skied with some assistance from the perisher blue lift network.One of the most well known out of bounds runs off Mt Perisher is the run to Guthega via Farm Creek. All the slopes between Mt Perisher and Back Perisher Mountain drain into Farm Creek, which flows to the base of Guthega. The area is fairly exposed to the wind and isn't very steep so don't expect to much. However, there are sections you can get some turns in and there's some nice scenery on the way.
Another popular area with Perisher regulars is the area to the south of the Eyre T-bar. This area is nicely gladed with snow gums and also features rocky outcrops. Most ski down to the Kosciuszko Road and then boot back to the T-Bar.
Probably the best option on Mt Perisher is the south west face. This face offers around 250 vertical metres of very nice tree skiing. The upper slopes are typically affected by wind but once you're lower down the slopes hold great snow after a dump. Unlike the runs south of the Eyre T-Bar there's a fair bit of work involved in getting back to the lifts. You can skin straight back up to the summit, exit via the Kosciuszko Road or skin to the Mt perisher - The Paralyser saddle and ski to Guthega via Farm Creek. If you opt to exit via the road there's approximately 1km of flat terrain between the base of south west face and the Kosciuszko Road. Once at the road its another 2km up a gentle slope to the Eyre T-bar.
Andrew gets some fresh stuff on the northern slopes of Mt Perisher. It's possible to score fresh lines like these just out of the resort boundary.
The Paralyser is a stones throw from Mt Perisher and it is easily accessed with a Perisher lift ticket. If you’re clever you may even get a lift ride most of the way over there without a lift ticket. Its not the most challenging terrain and there’s not a whole lot of vertical on offer but it is easy to access, typically holds good quality snow after a fall and is a great place for those new to the backcountry to get some experience.
The area consists of two bowl like valleys with a southerly aspect. Both offer similar terrain. The upper slopes are steeper and treeless. The lower slopes feature nicely spaced snow gums and gentler slopes. The presence of snowgums on the lower slopes and proximity to the resort also make the area feasible on whiteout days
If you started the day at Guthega or have a Perisher lift ticket the easiest way to exit the Paralyser area is to ski to Guthega from the saddle between the Paralyser and Mt Perisher following Farm Creek. Other options are to skin back up to Mt Perisher and ski/skin back to the Kosciuszko Road and follow it back to Perisher.
Andrei skis the eastern slopes of The Paralyser. Whilst there isn't much vertical on offer here the terrain is interesting and it holds great snow.
James drops in. Looking down The Paralyser from the top.
Andrew skis one of the steeper pitches on The Paralyser.
Powder fun on the The Paralyser.
Powder fun on the The Paralyser.
The impressive snow gums on the lower slopes of The Paralyser provide some visibility on a rare snowy day in 2006.