In the 1930s , with construction of the new capital city of Canberra underway , Canberrans explored the possibilities for developing skiing and snow sports in the Brindabellas . On 30 June 1936 , the '' Canberra Times '' newspaper reported : The Mount Franklin chalet was constructed at Mount Franklin in 1938 to service the Canberra Alpine Club . Ski runs were cleared and ski tows were improvised . The Club also cleared runs elsewhere , completing a new ski run and jump on nearby Mount Ginini in 1951 - then judged to be the superior slope . Built on leased land , the Mount Franklin Chalet reverted to the Government when Namadgi National Park was created in 1984 and later operated as a museum before being destroyed in the 2003 bushfires . A new shelter designed and built by University of Adelaide students opened in 2008 . Today , cross country skiing is possible in the area , when conditions allow
2003 bushfires
2003 Canberra bushfires
Namadgi National Park