Albina Lodge
Photo courtesy of Angus Farquar.
Known as Albina Lodge or Lake Albina Hut.
Located orginally above Lake Albina, and to the north of Mt Townsend in a perfect skiing cirque.
History
Albina was built in 1951 as a ski lodge, and was incredibly popular with cross-country skiers.
Through the 1970’s, few back country skiers carried tents (as their quality was dubious in the snow), and so the lodge was regularly packed out during winter. The skiing around it was exceptional, but very prone to “instant weather”.
The lodge was removed in 1983, due to environmental concerns (over water quality in the lake below), after being burnt in part by some rangers. After the destruction of the original building, a survival hut was erected. Now we just walk and ski here, along with many dozens of others who enjoy their time in the Australian Alps.
Construction
Albina was a substantial building of two stories with storage for skis and other items downstairs and a main area on the second level with a hallway down the centre, and rooms to either side, plus a major living area and kitchen. It was build on a stone base, with the main building being of timber with an iron roof.
There was an inside toilet, and there were concerns that the septic leaked into the lake below. There is was no aparent evidence of this.
References
KHA Reference number is 2411.