Mt Hotham Falls Creek News

AUGUST ISSUE, 2018

www.nemedia.com.au

FRESH POWDER A VIGOROUS cold front dumped more than a foot of snow at Hotham Alpine Resort between July 20 and 22, bringing the natural snow depth to 108cm. Hotham became the first alpine resort in Australia to break the magical one metre mark this season. The season snow tally has now risen to 195cm (since June). The resort is opening 100 per cent of it's terrain this weekend with 'Orchard' opening for the first time this season. Skier Drew Jolowicz from Bright is pictured enjoying the sublime snow conditions at Hotham Alpine Resort.

PHOTO: Chris Hocking

inside

P3 GETTING AIR Boardriders to celebrate 30 years on Mt Hotham.

IN THE FAST LANE P9 Q&A with Berni Haider, head coach of Falls Creek Race Club.

Ready for peak season

By JUSTIN JENVEY

CROSS COUNTRY P12 Top Europeans coaching Aussie skiers, calling Falls Creek home.

index Preventing knee injuries P15 Events calendar

P18

THE rush of the school holidays is over and the North East ski fields will, for a short time, return to quieter times ahead of peak season.

Both Mt Hotham and Falls Creek have experienced strong starts to the season and with snow conditions as good as they are who says we can’t see some records broken from here.

There’s plenty happening at both resorts over the next few weeks as the season gets into full swing.

Following celebrations last year for

30 years of snowboarding in Australia Hotham Boardriders will celebrate three decades in existence in August.

The club has a weekend of activities organised including a film and photo night while also inviting all riders to hit the slopes with them for a banked slalom event as part of the main festivities.

Talking milestones and the Dinner Plain Sled Dog Challenge is happening for the 25th time on the second weekend in August.

More than 75 teams and 350 sled dogs are expected for this year’s race.

At Falls Creek registrations continue

to come in for the inaugural Victorian Backcountry Festival while Astra Lodge is welcoming back a renowned chef for another short stint in the kitchen.

We sat down with Falls Creek Alpine Race Club head coach Berni Haider to learn a little more about his role and his background in skiing.

Sticking with Falls Creek and with the Kangaroo Hoppet nearing we had head coach of the Australian cross country ski team, Valerio Leccardi devise a four week training schedule for anyone behind in their preparations for the iconic Worldloppet event.

If you’re looking for more tips or some specialised coaching you can always head to the Falls Creek Cross Country centre where three top-class European skiers are working this winter.

This edition also includes some interesting information on how to avoid serious knee injuries on the slopes as well as some tips to get maximum enjoyment out of your ski trip if you’re a first timer to the snow.

And lastly we’ve provided you with a full calendar of events for Falls Creek and Mt Hotham for the rest of July and all of August.

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PAGE 2 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2018

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Burrowes to again add to the Astra experience AWARD winning chef Toby Burrowes is returning to Falls Creek after a hugely successful two week stint at Astra Lodge last year.

Burrowes spent some of his formative years as a chef at Falls Creek and his return to the mountain last year was met with much anticipation having quickly made a name for himself in the UK. Burrowes, 27, currently resides and works in London where, under the stewardship of acclaimed British chef Phil Howard was appointed to lead the team at Elystan Street restaurant.

The successful teaming of Burrowes and Howard has led the restaurant to achieve numerous accolades in the past year.

They were awarded a Michelin Star in the 2018 Michelin UK & Ireland Guide, were named the AA Restaurant of the Year in London 2018, and earned three AA Rosettes in the AA Restaurant Guide 2018.

In 2016 Elystan Street won the Square Meal’s Award for Best New Restaurant while Burrowes has been included in Code Hospitality Magazine’s annual ‘30 under 30’ which celebrates the best and brightest young and emerging talent from all over the UK. As the proprietors of Australia’s premier boutique snow fields hotel Seumas Dawes and Rosy Seaton were eager to have Burrowes provide his culinary genius for guests again after the Astra restaurant sold out each night for two weeks. “Toby’s guest appearance last August last saw him very quickly make a name for himself around the resort,� Ms Seaton said. “Toby’s plan for his secondment from Elystan Street to Astra is to compliment the amazing work of Astra’s head chef Janis Mallet and showcase the variety of offerings of the local North East Victoria area.�

Burrowes will join Mallet and the rest of the Astra restaurant team from July 31 to August 9.

Bookings can be made by calling (03) 5758 3496.

CLASS IN THE KITCHEN: Toby Burrowes is bringing his talents back to Falls Creek.

AS GOOD AS IT GETS: Skiers and snowboarders have enjoyed mostly perfect snow conditions and fine weather at Falls Creek and Mt Hotham over the first seven weeks of the 2018 season. After the best start to winter in over 30 years there weren’t any prolific storms after the middle of June but enough snow and cold conditions to maintain an outstanding base for the early part of the season. The second big storm finally hit on July 19 and carried into July 20 boosting the snow depth to the magical metre mark.

PHOTO: Lachy Keevers

It’s easy to keep up to date with the new Snowracer app

Serious about targeting the ski industry this Winter?

JULY ISSUE, 2018

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WINTER WONDERLAND: Snow tumbled down at Falls Creek from June 12 to June 18 with the result, some of the best early season snow in decades. PHOTO: Nathan Fenton

inside

SMALL’S BIG GOALS P2 Winter Olympic campaign, Greta Small is back in Australia.

NIGHT CREATURES P4 The unknown heroes who prepare the slopes at night.

Sensational season start

By JUSTIN JENVEY

NATS RETURN P7 Australia’s best cross-country skiers to converge on Falls Creek in the last week of June.

index Falls Creek events History walks

P8 P11

FALLS Creek and Mt Hotham are celebrating the best start to the season in over 30 years.

Snow depths at both resorts measured 80cm just a week after the season opened, following a week-long storm.

Lifts at both mountains began turning for the first time on Saturday, June 16 and that Monday there were six chairs operating at Falls Creek and seven at Mt Hotham.

At Falls Creek, Drovers Dream, Gully Chair, Halley’s Comet, Mouse

Trap, Summit, and Towers Chair were up and running while at Mt Hotham, Big D, Heavenly Valley, Audi Quattro (Village), Road Runner, Summit, and Summit Trainer were all spinning.

Falls Creek Resort Management Board marketing officer Nathan Fenton said the 80cm of natural snow was four times the average depth for this time of year. “Everybody is enjoying July and August style conditions in just the second week of the season,� he said. “The year 2000 is commonly regarded as a season for the ages

but this June snowfall has seen 2018 already surpass that year to be the best start to a season in over 30 years.�

Mt Hotham Ski Patrol director Bill Barker said in his daily report, that the snow quality on the second Sunday of season, was some of the best he has experienced this early in winter.

Mt Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board chief executive John Hutchins said the resort looked sensational with the amount of snow dumped over six days. “The resort is well and truly

covered with light, dry snow, and with six lifts running there is plenty of terrain accessible,� he said. “The Mt Hotham Skiing Company got chairlifts turning very quickly, and it’s been great seeing people enjoying the incredible powder that has been dumped all over the resort.� “We can never be 100 per cent sure what we’re going to get in June, so we’re absolutely stoked with the conditions so early.

Dinner Plain’s lift and tobogganing area also opened on June 16 after 40cm of snow.

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links to snow cams from every Australian snow resort.

The development of the Snowracer app follows that of the Snowracer website and Ski and Snowboard Australia chief executive officer Michael Kennedy said will provide even easier access for people to engage with snowsports competitions. “The Snowracer app is an extension of our already successful Snowracer website, which is designed to give our more than 25,000 participants along with their friends and family, access to live timing, scoring and events,� he said. “We want as many people to have access to the app so

Don't miss out on being part of the next edition of Mt. Hotham/Falls Creek News.

If you wish to promote your business or service please contact:

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we have invested in the technology to offer it free to the public through Apple and Google Play stores. “The Snowracer app has so many great features and we look forward to extending our offerings as it continues to grow.�

One feature that is sure to prove popular and even annoying is the ‘virtual cowbell’ which by accessing and shaking your phone provides an authentic sounding cowbell that can be used to cheer on racers.

The full Snowracer app also provides access to SSA’s social pages and links to all Australian ski resort websites.

NEXT EDITION: September 2018 Booking deadline: August 9, 2018 GROUP EDITOR: Jeff Zeuschner ADVERTISING: Jenny Zamperoni EDITORIAL: Justin Jenvey ADVERTISING SALES EMAIL: jking@nemedia.com.au Telephone 0427 495 309 EDITORIAL EMAIL: jjenvey@nemedia.com.au Published by Hartley Higgins for North East Media Pty Ltd at the registered office, 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta, 3677.

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A NEW app recently launched by Ski and Snowboard Australia (SSA) will provide ski and snowboard enthusiasts with a one-stopshop for everything related to snowsports competitions of all levels.

The Snowracer app offers quick access to a calendar of competitive events at all Australian ski resorts as well as live timing and results.

SSA members can use the SnowID lookup button to locate their very own SnowID or an individual can register as a Snowracer right from their phone.

The app also provides users with live weather updates and

Photos courtesy of Mt Hotham Ski Company & Falls Creek Resort Management.

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2018 — PAGE 3

Backcountry festival is coming to Falls Creek

By STRUAN JONES

CATCHING SOME AIR: Mike Doleman has been a long-time member of Hotham Boardriders.

Boardriders celebrating 30 years on Mt Hotham

By JUSTIN JENVEY SINCE forming in the late 1980s Hotham Boardriders has been about a community of a snowboarders coming together to do what they love.

In August the group will celebrate its 30th year and is throwing it back to the old days with a Banked Slalom event part of a weekend of activities to mark the occasion.

“We’ve always catered for everybody whether you’re just learning snowboarding, or an expert and a Banked Slalom is something that everyone from age 6 to 60 can do,” current president Brad Watterson said.

Hotham Boardriders was established in 1998 by Dave Pavlich, Ashley Muller and Thor Prohaska and quickly became one of the most recognised clubs on the mountain.

“For a start it was more surf orientated guys, a lot of the guys came up from the coast and winter was kind of the annual pilgrimage,” Mr Watterson said.

“When I joined in 1998 snowboarding was heading into its peak and things were really growing in the sport and evolving at Mt Hotham.

GOOD TIMES: Hotham Boardriders have held numerous events over the club’s history with a Banked Slalom in 1990 one of the first.

“Mat Hanson was president at the time and he and the rest of the leaders just gathered everyone around and made the club a real community thing and a place that you were welcomed.

“We held events, barbeques and parties and just hung out and a lot of that we’ve tried to keep doing for all these years.”

The Snowbird was their club-

house for a long time and in its peak Hotham Boardriders had a membership of about 250 people.

As a not for profit group they’ve given a lot of money to sick, injured and less fortunate people over the years, something they continue to do today with any spare funds they have.

Mr Watterson said plenty has changed in three decades, but

Hotham Boardriders continues to offer mateship and a community for those who ‘love to shred’.

“It’s changed a lot, we do have a lot of younger members including siblings of older members, but it’s definitely harder to get the younger crew to embrace it so much,” he said.

“There’s a lot of other snowboard clubs that are on the hill these days, ones that are focused on training and racing and the younger ones they spread themselves around a lot more now.

“For the ones that have been here a long time, even though most of us are getting old and grey, we still believe in it and as long as there are younger ones around we’ll continue on.”

Hotham Boardriders’ 30th anniversary celebrations will take place on August 24-25.

A film and photo night will be held on the Friday night at The General before the Banked Slalom event on Gun Barrel on Heavenly Valley on Saturday.

Following that, the festivities will continue at the Snowbird where there’ll be live music.

FALLS Creek will host the inaugural Victorian Backcountry Festival at the start of September.

The festival aims to bring together backcountry enthusiasts for a weekend celebrating what it means to get out beyond the boundaries of a resort and explore the mountains on your own terms.

Backcountry skiing is a loose term that refers to any human-powered adventure off-piste and is usually solitary or done in a small group.

It can be by snowshoeing, crosscountry skiing, alpine touring, telemark skiing, or splitboarding, even multi-day trips camping in the mountains.

Festival organiser Cam Walker hopes to bring this diffuse community together to share stories, learn from each other, and draw new people into back country adventuring.

“Backcountry enthusiasts can have a cultish quality, they are neither racers nor athletes, but adventurers,” Mr Walker said.

“We’re really making the event open to people who are first timers.

“The program includes clinics for telemark skills, Nordic touring, navigation skills, snow camping, and a backcountry snow show tour.

“It’s accessible to lots of people with workshops tailored to first timers and experienced people.”

For more proficient adventurers, whole day tours will be run out to Mt Nelse, Spion Kopje, or Mt McKay on the Saturday.

All the clinics and tours are free of charge with skiers and riders only required to bring their own gear or arrange hire.

The base for the festival will be the Falls Creek Cross Country Centre at Windy Corner.

Centre manager Sally Gorman is a lifelong cross-country and backcountry skier and said it’s an experience like no other.

“It’s about getting off track, finding that bowl and putting your own turns on it, being on untouched snow,” she said.

“You’re not going to see anyone else, it’s out there away from technology, the lifts and it’s totally for yourself, you feel one with nature.”

The festival is proving popular, with over 160 registrations already.

The Saturday evening culminates in a Backcountry Film Festival introduced by Australian filmmaker Stephen Curtain.

All the films are Australian and will showcase the terrain and scenery of the High Country, as well as the epic adventures being had on the peaks.

To get involved with the Victorian Backcountry Festival you can register at https://backcountry-festival.com/.

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PAGE 6 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2018

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2018 — PAGE 7

25 years of sled dog racing

By JUSTIN JENVEY

French après ski forecast

THE Dinner Plain Sled Dog Challenge will celebrate its 25th running on August 11 and 12.

The event is the longest running Australian snow-based race of its kind and has showcased the top canine athletes of sled dog racing since 1994.

Rob Stevens and Sue Simons established the challenge all those years ago and it continues to be a popular feature of the Dinner Plain winter.

“It’s fantastic to think that we have been coming back for 25 years and it’s tremendous to see how the sport’s profile has increased here in Australia,” Rob Stevens said.

“In 1994 there were only 14 competitors and during the event’s peak in the early 2000s we had just over 100 entries.

“Entries have dropped off a little since but five or six years ago we introduced skijoring which people have taken an interest in.

“That’s allowed people to get into the sport because all you need is a set of skis and a dog or two.”

This year more than 75 dog team drivers and 350 sled dogs are expected to embark on Dinner Plain.

Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes are the most common breeds of dogs raced although Mr Stevens said recent years have seen several other breeds join the ranks.

“Siberian Huskies and Alas-

LIKE a scene directly from the slopes of Courchevel or Chamonix, Melbourne’s L’Hôtel Gitan is recreating the experience of the toasty winter refuges with open fires, hearty meals and warming treats at Dinner Plain From August 8-22 the team behind the Melbourne gastropub will take over Dinner Plain’s Alphutte Restaurant with Gitan Alps, a European-inspired mountain restaurant.

They will serve traditional French winter classics including Croque Monsieurs, Soupe a l’onion, Coq au vin, and Boeuf Bourguignon, with freshly baked bread from Noisette and French butter, for diners settling in for a well-earned heart-warming lunch or cosy dinner.

Raclette will be a feature, from the original machine of Kathy and Jacques Reymond, purchased during their time working in the Swiss Alps, served with steaming hot potatoes, charcuterie and cornichons.

Dessert will delight with alpine staples including fresh Crêpes Suzette, Profiteroles, and rich Godiva hot chocolate.

Gitan Alps will be open for dinner every night from August 8-22, and for lunch on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

MOUNTAIN MILESTONE: The Dinner Plain Sled Dog Challenge continues to attract large crowds every year. kan Malamutes are both powerful competitors,” Mr Stevens said.

“Siberian Huskies are extremely quick on their paws, whereas Alaskan Malamutes are known for their endurance over longer distances.

“We’re now also seeing Labradors, Retrievers, Hounds and German Shepherd Malamutes.”

Spectators will have the op-

portunity to see teams of between two and eight dogs in action.

Those who haven’t seen sled dog racing before will enjoy witnessing the speed and skills of mushers and their dogs.

“The Dinner Plain Sled Dog Challenge offers a unique experience for all visitors,” Mr Stevens said.

“The energy of 350 working dogs in one location, howl-

ing in excitement and ready to hit the snow gum tree lined trails of Dinner Plain is an image that sticks with you.

“Throughout the weekend spectators will be able to wander the Dinner Plain race site and visit ‘Sled Dog Park’ to get up close with dog sleds and equipment.

“People can chat with mushers and, with permission, pat or take a photo with some

of the dogs.”

For the second consecutive, the Dinner Plain Sled Dog Challenge will be supported by premium dog food brand, Eukanuba.

The event is free to attend while there will be food and refreshments available along with merchandise stands.

More information on the event can be found at www. sleddogchallenge.com.

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PAGE 8 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2018

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2018 — PAGE 9

All in a day’s work for Berni Haider BERNI Haider is the head coach of the Falls Creek Alpine Race Club. He hails from Austria and is currently in his third winter in Australia. After a long day of individual skills analysis for the club’s holiday program the Mt Hotham Falls Creek News recently had Struan Jones sit down with the 22 year-old for a chat.

SJ: How long have you worked with the Falls Creek Alpine Race Club?

BH: I’ve been here for two and a half seasons now. The first year I worked with the under 14s and under 16s, and in the middle of that season I took over the FIS group, and from then on I’ve worked with them. The FIS group at the race club is comprised of skiers aged 15 and above who have shown real talent in the slalom and giant slalom race disciplines. These are the best racers. Race club starts at the age of seven and by under 12 level there is one full-time group that trains year-round.

SJ: What have you recently been up to?

BH: We’ve just completed our July holiday program where we trained 110 athletes with 16 coaches for six hours a day. We have one day off per week. After the holiday programme we start the full-time groups, which train seven days a week.

SJ: What’s a typical day for you as head coach?

BH: I’m on snow at 8am, setting up a course.

We have some warm-up runs then start training. It will depend on what the focus for the training is, and we work on that. We train till 12pm, and then have a one-hour lunch break.

In the afternoon we go to the gym and work there on the athletic side, such as strength, conditioning, agility, and coordination.

SJ: I assume you were part of a race club and raced while growing up?

BH: I come from Ellmau in the Eastern part of Austria. It’s a really big skiing area and I started skiing when I was two. Two metres behind my house was a ski slope, so it was a pretty good place to learn. I was in the local race club at there until I was 12. In Austria we’ve got states - it’s called bundesländer - and in those states there are different squads you can go to for training. I trained there till the age of 15.

Then I went to a high school that focused on

skiing. I was there for five years, and basically Monday and Tuesday is school, but Wednesday to Sunday is skiing with training and racing.

When I finished school I was pretty good, but I wasn’t in the Austrian National Team. I was just one step below in the state squad from Tyrol, for three years. When I was 20 I finished skiing competitively.

SJ: How did you get started in Australia?

BH: After a compulsory six-month stint in the Austrian Army I spent two seasons coaching at a ski academy at Kitzsteinhorn, a glacier in Austria. When I worked in Kitzsteinhorn there was an English skier who had worked in Australia for eight years, and he asked me if I wanted to come down. I always wanted to get experience skiing in another country. I like the village, the ski-in ski-out and also the social life is pretty good. It’s just a nice atmosphere up here. And also the skiing area is great.

SJ: Falls Creek seems to have an Austrian connection. Of the 16 coaches at the race club, most are Austrian?

BH: There was one guy - Rudy Pendl, a longtime instructor - I think he was the first Austrian who came here and he built everything up. Since then it’s kind of expected that there are so many Austrians here at Falls Creek.

It’s all about connections in skiing. There are mostly Austrians at Mt Buller and Falls Creek, but at Perisher, most of the coaches are French or Italians. In Austria when you ask someone where they want to go in the Southern Hemisphere, everyone wants to go to Falls Creek or Mt Buller, because they’re the most famous ones.

SJ: How do you see the future of the race club at Falls Creek?

BH: Each year it is getting better, it’s becoming bigger and there are more athletes registering for the programme. We are always improving and growing.

DEVELOPING TALENT: Berni Haider spends this time of year in Australia training young skiers at Falls Creek.

PHOTO: Struan Jones

What you NEED TO KNOW about driving this winter.

Numerous types of tyres are used for winter driving, each with varying, and often misunderstood, levels of safety and performance.

3PMSF WINTER TYRES EXPLAINED Winter or snow tyres that receive WKH RIĂ€FLDO VQRZĂ DNH PDUNLQJ also known as the 3PMSF ‘3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake’ symbol, SURYLGH YHULĂ€HG VDIHW\ IRU GHPDQGLQJ VQRZ FRQGLWLRQV 7KH GHĂ€QLWLRQ RI D ZLQWHU W\UH LV VWDWHG LQ WKH European ECE regulation 117.02. It states that the tyre’s tread pattern, tread material or structure must be primarily designed in order to provide better characteristics than ordinary tyres in terms of acceleration, traction and stopping under demanding ZLQWHU FRQGLWLRQV DQG WKDW LW PXVW EH YHULĂ€HG The 3PMSF symbol is standardised and controlled by EU authorities, guaranteeing that the product meets the conditions of rigorous testing and is suitable for RSHUDWLRQ LQ GLIĂ€FXOW ZHDWKHU FRQGLWLRQV 3PMSF marked tyres have been approved through regulation tests to guarantee a higher level of performance under winter conditions stated in the European ECE regulation 117.02.

306) ZLQWHU W\UHV DUH GHVLJQHG WR VWD\ à H[LEOH LQ temperatures below 7°C and provide excellent grip on snow, slush, wet roads and bare asphalt.The aggressive tread design and siping provides grip and stability in snow and will disperse away water and wet snow slush.

Compared to M+S tyres, 3PMSF winter tyres offer superior braking and cornering performance on wet and rough ice, soft and hard-packed snow, and slush.

A tyre without the 3PMSF marking cannot be marketed as a snow tyre or a winter tyre.

ALL TERRAIN/OFF ROAD TYRES EXPLAINED Tyres marketed as AT Tyres (All-Terrain/Mud-Terrain/ Off Road) are not winter tyres even though some may display the 3PMSF symbol. An AT tyre complying with the FMVSS 139 requirements (1 test method) do not comply with the UNECE R117 (3 test methods) because these regulations have a totally different set of characteristics.

This is easy to understand as AT tyres have little, or no, siping.

Sipings are the thin slits across a tread surface, that improve traction in snow and icy conditions HOW WET SNOW SLUSH AFFECTS DRIVING An icy road surface is not always the cause of the problems on alpine roads, deep wet snow slush can easily turn a driver into a passenger.

On a wet country road hydroplaning or aquaplaning is dangerous. However slush planing, that can occur when driving on wet soft snow on alpine roads, is even more dangerous.When slush planing occurs you cannot steer, or brake, the vehicle because the tyre loses contact with the road even at very low speed.

The combination of deep slushy melting snow, a layer

snowtyres.com.au

of water on the road surface, and possibly ice can make driving extremely dangerous, even for the most experienced driver. Slush has a higher viscosity than ZDWHU WKHUHIRUH LV SDVWLHU DQG FDQQRW Ă RZ WKURXJK WKH tyre tread channels as easily as water.

The tread pattern of an M+S tyre will not disperse this wet snow slush from underneath the tyre. The contact between the tyre and the road will be lost, and so will the grip.

USING SNOW CHAINS Snow chains are designed to allow a vehicle to climb a gradient that is beyond the grip level of the tyres. State regulations require all vehicles in Victoria, and 2WDs in NSW, to carry wheel chains that can be correctly ÀWWHG WR \RXU W\UHV ZKHQ UHTXLUHG 7KH 2ZQHUV Manual of your vehicle will detail what wheel and tyre FRPELQDWLRQV DUH DSSURYHG IRU WKH ÀWWLQJ RI ZKHHO chains. In order for wheel chains to work effectively they must penetrate into the compacted snow surface to provide the maximum amount of traction.

Traction may be lost and wheel spin experienced when the snow and/or ice begins to break up and melts to slush - this is what causes chain wear. In these situations the vehicle can slide on the wheel chains.

PERFORMING A TRACTION TEST Here is a safe way to determine how much tyre grip is available for any vehicle when driving in challenging winter conditions.

When it is safe to do so, at a safe speed, and, making sure that no one is close behind you, apply the brakes ÀUPO\ XQWLO WKH ZKHHOV ORFN XS DQG WKH $%6 LV DFWLYDWHG Keep the brake pedal pressed down until the vehicle stops completely. This will give you a clear indication of the grip available at that particular point in time.

You can repeat this test to continually monitor grip in different conditions.

This simple test procedure will indicate the grip level of your tyres and highlight the need for correct 3PMSF winter tyres for safer winter driving.

AT All-Terrain M+S tyre

HOW FUTURE REGULATIONS MAY AFFECT ME? Any forthcoming regulation changes are likely to include a requirement that snow chains comply with the European ON-V5117 standard and snow/winter W\UHV EH LGHQWLĂ€HG ZLWK WKH 306) V\PERO DV SHU WKH ECE 117.02 snow test.Tyres with M+S marking are not associated to any mandatory traction test and there is no performance guarantee associated with M+S marked tyres.

In Germany the old rules have been tightened and WKH 0 6 ORJR QR ORQJHU VXIÀFHV 2QO\ W\UHV ZLWK WKH 6QRZà DNH ORJR 306) FRPSO\ ZLWK WKHLU new regulations. Motorists in Germany have a legal REOLJDWLRQ WR ÀW ZLQWHU W\UHV RQ WKHLU YHKLFOHV

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M+S TYRES EXPLAINED The M+S symbol on tyres is very misleading. It’s a declaration from the tyre manufacturer that the product can operate in mud and snow better than their regular models. However, there is no performance standard or traction/stopping tests to pass as the M+S designation refers only to the tread pattern.

<RX ZLOO Ă&#x20AC;QG WKH 0 6 V\PERO RQ RII URDG $OO 7HUUDLQ (AT) tyres and on many â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; all season tyres. Even some high speed rated (Y) summer tyres may have this designation. It says nothing about the tyres rubber compound and how it will perform on snow, slush and ice.

Tyres with M+S marking are not associated with any mandatory performance test and there is no performance guarantee associated with M+S marked tyres.The M+S marking are based on a tyreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s geometry and not how well it does on tests actually driving in mud or snow.

This video shows how a tyre marked M+S does not work in snow: snowtyres.com.au/tyres-explained

PAGE 10 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2018

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DAVENPORT CENTRAL MT HOTHAM’S VIBRANT NEW PRECINCT îU©h ä ©1 j 1±¾ ¾1 ©1 ¦© Å( ¾ vv Åv!1 ¾P1 ©1j1 ±1 H ( Ý1v¦ ©¾ !1v¾© jɔ

COMPRISING: ɍ HŲƵƙ ¦ĞŦƭľŲƵơĞ ƖóƙƭŤĞŦƭơ

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ɍ ¾ĞŦ ȑɲ ĞėƙŲŲŤ ƖóƙƭŤĞŦƭơ ɍ ȗȓ ÅŦėĞƙĐŲǍĞƙ !óƙ ¦óƙŘŃŦķ ±ƖóĐĞơ ǎŃƭľ PĞóƭĞė ±ŘŃ jŲĐŘĞƙơɔ ɍ ȖȒȒŤȑ ŲĶ ĐŲŤŤĞƙĐŃóś óƙĞóɔ ɍ ±ƭóȅ ĐĐŲŤŤŲėóƭŃŲŦ

Construction commencing November 2018, completion 2020. Ȑȏʼ (ĞƖŲơŃƭ ŲŦ ơŃķŦŃŦķ ŲĶ ĐŲŦƭƙóĐƭơɏ óśóŦĐĞ ÅƖŲŦ !ŲŤƖśĞƭŃŲŦ

HŲƙ ó ďƙŲĐľƵƙĞɏ ėĞƭóŃśơ ŲĶ ơƖĞĐŃȊĐóƭŃŲŦơɏ ĶƵƙŦŃƭƵƙĞ ƖóĐŘóķĞơ óŦė ƖƙŃĐŃŦķ ĐŲŦƭóĐƭɎ ©Ųď HŲƙė îŃƙŘǔ ©Ğóś 1ơƭóƭĞ ȏȓȒȏ ȖȓȘȖȏȐ ƙŲďʿǞŃƙŘǔƙĞóśĞơƭóƭĞɔĐŲŤɔóƵ

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Trio adding to international flavour at Falls

How to prepare for a ski marathon in a month THE Kangaroo Hoppet at Falls Creek is coming up soon and even if you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been training for the event, Australian cross country ski team head coach, Valerio Leccardi (pictured) has created a four week program to get you fit for a ski marathon.

The training content is aimed at skiers who ski/exercise either two or three times a week. Each weekly session is listed according to its priority.

If you have fewer training opportunities than specified each week, then the training session with the lowest priority should be omitted if possible.

All exercises are planned as either ski/rollerski or running sessions but if you don`t have access to snow as frequently, you can choose to do on a bike or swimming.

By STRUAN JONES

Week 4: 2-3 training sessions a week 1. Long ski for 70-90 min (suggested day Saturday) 2. Continuous ski for 50-60 min + 3-5 pick-ups (break (b): 1 min) (suggested day Tuesday) 3. Continuous ski for 50 min + 5 hill sprints for 10 seconds each (b: 2 min). Ski loose and relaxed and try to ski each kilometre in the last 5-10 minutes 10 to 15 seconds faster. (suggested day Thursday) Week 3: 2-3 training sessions a week 1. Long ski for 60-80 min (Saturday) 2. 7 x 3-min intervals (b: 2 min) + 3 x 1 min intervals (b: 1 min) (Thursday) The pace chosen during the 3 minutes should be such that it can be sustained for at least 30 to a maximum of 45 minutes. The 1-min repetitions should be somewhat faster than your racing pace and slightly uphill if possible.

3. Continuous ski/run for 60 min + 5 hill sprints for 10 seconds each (b: 2 min) (Tuesday) Ski/run loose and relaxed and try to ski/run each kilometre in the last 5-10 minutes 10 to 15 seconds faster.

Week 2: 2-3 training sessions a week 1. Long ski/run for 60-90 min (Sunday).

2. 4 x 4-min intervals (b: 2 min) + 3 x 1 min intervals (b: 1 min) (Thursday) Your pace during the 4 minutes should be that of your potential racing pace. The 1st and 3rd repetitions are done on a flat or slightly downhill course. The 2nd and 4th exertions are done on slightly uphill course. The 1-min repetitions should be slightly faster than your racing pace.

3. Continuous ski/run for 50 min + 5 hill sprints for 10 seconds each (B: 2 min) (Tuesday).

Ski loose and relaxed and try to ski/run each kilometre in the last 5-10 minutes 10 to 15 seconds faster. Incorporate 5 sprints on a steep hill.

Week 1: 2-3 training sessions a week 1. Kangaroo Hoppet (Saturday) 2. 4 x 6min intervals (b: 2 min) + 3 x 1 min intervals (b: 1 min) (Tuesday) Your pace during the 6 minutes should be such that it can be sustained for at least 30 to a maximum of 45 minutes. If skiing the training is ideally done on a course similar to that of the Kangaroo Hoppet with some flat parts and a few hills. The 1-min repetitions should be somewhat faster than your racing pace and slightly uphill if possible.

3. Continuous ski for 50 min + 5 hill sprints for 10 seconds each (b: 2 min) (Friday)

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THREE top European cross-country skiers are calling Falls Creek home this winter.

Aurelie Dabudyk, Iris Pessey, and Sophia Tsu Velicer are all working as coaches at the Falls Creek Cross Country centre at Windy Corner.

Aurelie Dabudyk, a champion marathon skier from France has won the International Worldloppet series three years in a row.

Despite racing in, and winning, a number of the hugely popular and competitive European races, she has never skied in Australia. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wanted to come to race in the Kangaroo Hoppet,â&#x20AC;?

Dabudyk said referring to Falls Creekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own Loppet race which, this year, will to be held on August 25. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realise just how much groomed trail there is here at Falls Creek, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amazing. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We can ski for hours and never go back over the same trail.â&#x20AC;?

Iris Pessey is another Frenchwoman, who has returned for her second season at Falls Creek. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to work in an office and people at Falls Creek are excited about skiing, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a nice lifestyle here, skiing every day,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Pessey brings years of skiing and racing experience to share with fellow skiers.

Her best results include winning a bronze medal at the World University Championships in 2015.

She placed third in her first Kangaroo Hoppet last season behind Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own Barbara Jezercek and American Mary Rose.

Sophia Tsu Velicer is from Switzerland where she skied with her High School team in Zurich.

Despite having competed in seven different Worldloppet

FIRST TIME: Sophia Tsu Velicer is one of three European women coaching cross country skiing at Falls Creek this season.

PHOTO: Struan Jones races across Europe, America and Asia, she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realise there was a Loppet race in Australia until she met a Hoppet organiser overseas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Since then, skiing in Australia has been a goal,â&#x20AC;? Tsu Velicer said.

Falls Creek Cross Country manager Tony Pammer was responsible for recruiting the three and admits that he had to turn away many other applicants. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Falls Creek is a destinationcountry for cross-country skiing, lots of European skiers want to work here,â&#x20AC;? he said.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The calibre of cross-country skiers Falls Creek attracts each year is a testament to the world-class trails and backcountry opportunities on the Bogong High Plains.â&#x20AC;?

Falls Creek can have over 65km of groomed trails to explore, and is home to the Australian National Team.

Dabudyk, Pessey and Tsu Velicer are based at Windy Corner, and are available for private and group lessons focusing on technique and race performance, as well as introductory clinics to the sport.

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2018 — PAGE 13

PAGE 14 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2018

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2018 — PAGE 15

Preventing knee injuries on the mountain slopes LIKE in any sport, injuries are an unfortunate part of enjoying what we love and skiing and snowboarding are no different. Knee injuries are up there with the worst type of injuries you can suffer on the slopes and Bright physiotherapist Phebe Liston (Ovens Valley Physio and Pilates) has put together a checklist of things you can do to avoid them.

Knees are by far the most common area for injury on the mountain and a knee injury can not only ruin your trip, but can end your season. Thankfully, there are some simple things to keep in mind when setting up your equipment to help decrease your chance of a knee injury. Firstly you need to understand that there are two types of injuries, acute and overuse.

Acute injuries - Acute injuries can be caused from your own mistakes, such as losing control on a run, or from things outside of your control, like a rogue skier or snowboarder taking you out.

In the knee in particular, there are a lot of structures that can be damaged acutely. In skiing and snowboarding, the structures most at risk in the knee are the ligaments (MCL/ACL) and meniscus. As your foot is fixed to the ski or board, these structures are often damaged when there is a large rotation force through the body that causes them to tear.

Overuse injuries - Overuse injuries build up over time. They often start as a niggle and gradually increase in intensity and can limit your ability to keep skiing or boarding. With overuse injuries it’s often the muscles and tendons that support the knee that get overload, often from lack of strength and control.

How do you prevent some if these injuries from happening?

Well first we need to look at the things we can easily control and set-up of equipment is the best starting point.

Making sure your skis or board are the right size so that you can control it efficiently is key.

If it/they are too long or wide for your height or skill level, you will use poor technique, get fatigued sooner and put yourself at higher risk of falling or overloading your muscles and tendons.

For ski’s, making sure your bindings are on the right setting to match your skill level is particularly important in preventing acute knee injuries.

For beginners, you want the ski’s

IMPORTANT: Bright physiotherapist Phebe Liston says the right ski and snowboard set-up is crucial to avoiding knee injuries.

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to pop off more readily if you fall so that as previously mentioned you are at less risk of twisting the knee ligaments with your foot stuck in the ski.

Then conversely, if you are an advanced skier you need the bindings set tight enough so they don’t just pop off if you hit a bump at speed.

So when hiring or buying, don’t rush the process and read and fill out any forms honestly and accurately, because ski tech staff are not going to judge your weight or ability, they are asking because they want to keep you safe.

For snowboarding, your knees take a lot of the load, so to

prevent overuse injuries getting the binding position set-up right is key.

The recommended position will vary for each individual as, for example, some people have tighter hips or ankles.

If you tend to naturally squat with your knees together, then it is best to keep the angle fairly straight, whereas if you tend to squat with your knees out, then you are better to widen the angle.

It may take a few goes to get the position right and as a general rule, if you are feeling pain on the outer part of your knee when riding you may have too much angle and if you feel pain

on the inner part you may not have enough.

The other keys to injury prevention involve adequate strength and conditioning as well as using correct technique.

Teaching your brain the best way to move to maximise the ability of the joints, tendons, and muscles is pivotal which you can get from speaking to or having a lesson with any qualified ski school instructor.

Other tips for preventing injuries on the slopes can be found on Phebe’s blog at www. physiophebe.com or you can follow her instagram or facebook @physiophebe for other regular free physio advice.

Tips to enjoy your snow trip

IF you a seasoned skier or snowboarder you probably know a lot of the following but if you’re embarking on your first trip to the snow then here are five useful tips to help you get the most enjoyment out of your experience.

1 - Dress correctly Dress in layers when at the snow. Depending on temperatures, you may wear three or four layers consisting of a base layer, mid layer and an outer layer (waterproof jacket and pant). Avoid cotton if possible as it doesn’t breathe while Merino wool is the best base layer. Correct fitting socks are also important for skiing and snowboarding. Thick or thin, it doesn’t matter as long as they come up above the top of your boots. Avoid wearing two pairs of socks, they will rub together and give you blisters.

2 - Your day on the slopes For the best conditions, get out there early

and to avoid queuing up, lift tickets can be pre-booked online at both Mt Hotham and Falls Creek. There is nothing better than fresh snow or smooth groomed runs first thing in the morning. Have an early lunch to avoid busy cafes, and then enjoy skiing the empty slopes while everyone else is inside having a bite to eat.

3 - Take frequent breaks, stay hydrated Skiing and snowboarding is physically demanding. Be sure to take breaks and keep your fluids up. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout the day and save the beer for après. Carry snacks with you while you’re out on the slopes (muesli bars are a good option). Also don’t feel the need to ski right to the close of lifts, there is a greater risk of injury late in the day when you’re fatigued.

4 - Ski and board boot comfort At the end of the day, always loosely do up

the buckles on ski boots or tie any laces on snowboard boots, when drying them overnight. This will ensure they hold their shape and be more comfortable the following day.

5 - Leaving the resort Before you made your way up the mountain you will hopefully have checked your car has adequate coolant levels that contain antifreeze and if you drive a diesel vehicle you’ll have filled up with Alpine Mix. Start your car and let it warm up properly. If snow has fallen during your stay, clear the windscreen of snow and ensure wiper blades are free and not stuck to your windshield, (moderate heat on your dashboard vents can help this).

Ensure your car is properly dug out before attempting to drive out of your car park, bogged cars can result broken wheel chains.

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PAGE 16 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2018

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Next generation of skiers undergo skills assessment EARLY in July up and coming snowsport athletes were provided feedback at Mt Hotham and Falls Creek as part of Ski and Snowboard Australia’s National Skills Assessment.

The assessment aims to assist young athletes in their long-term development by helping identify strengths and opportunities for improvement by challenging athletes to complete a series of tasks.

The athletes and their clubs are guided by Alpine program director Mick Branch as well as Craig Branch and Shawn Fleming.

Craig is a three-time Winter Olympian for Australia and has most recently been coaching at European and World Cup levels.

Shawn is currently the Head Coach of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA) Ski Cross Program.

Director Mick Branch said the assessment

is a highly valuable tool as part of the athlete pathway.

“The data collected is powerful in helping athletes better understand their strengths and opportunities for improvement,” he said.

“In conjunction with their club coaching staff and the National Development Coaches, strategies for developing fundamental skills can be implemented to enable athletes make improvements during the season.

“By working hard and focusing on skill acquisition; athletes will be rewarded by seeing their skills assessment scores improve in the short term and their opportunities for athletic success increase in the long run.”

National Skills Assessments were held at Mt Hotham on July 6-7 and Falls Creek on July 9.

Perisher, Thredbo and Mt Buller also hosted the sessions.

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THRILLS AND SPILLS: The terrain park on Mt Hotham’s Summit is fast becoming known as one of the biggest in the country.

PHOTO: Chris Hocking

Build it big and they will come

By JUSTIN JENVEY AFTER delivering a killer park last season the Mt Hotham terrain park crew have once again built something special for the mountain’s thrill seekers.

This year the Summit Terrain Park was up and running even before the rail park at Basin and it features plenty of big hits and smaller features for skiers and boarders of all abilities.

“I’ve been at Hotham since 2013 and since then we’ve been stepping things up every

year,” park supervisor Damien Frawley said.

“We’ve now got a solid crew of operators and shapers who are consistently getting better.

“Last year’s park was huge, probably the biggest park Hotham has ever seen.

“By mid-July this winter we had the Summit park looking better than it did the same time last year.”

Frawley said the key was being more proactive and getting out and catching snow from the get go.

“The snow making available

on the Summit now has also really helped with the park product up here,” he said.

Last year the crew rebuilt the Summit’s terrain park six times and Frawley said constantly changing things up was exciting for riders.

“We change lines or rebuild parts probably every two weeks and that’s usually brought on by the frequency of storms,” he said.

“Riders love trying new things; we spent $15,000 on new rails and boxes so it’s been great to offer something new there.”

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2018 — PAGE 17

FALLS CREEK 2018 WINTER EVENTS

SEASON OPENING June 9

PAW Patrol Interactive activation July 2-8

SKI & SNOWBOARD DOWNHILL EVENTS

CROSS COUNTRY SKI EVENTS

JULY 7TH - 8TH Snow Racer Series #1 and #2

JULY 7TH Fast and Female

JULY 13TH Rossignol Cup Cranky Charlie Cup

JULY 8TH Birkebeiner Classic

JULY 14TH King of the Mountain JULY 14TH - 15TH SIA Demo Weekend JULY 15TH - 20TH South Australian Interschools Champs STH AUSTRALIAN INTERSCHOOLS

July 15-20

WOMBATS RAMBLER July 27

JULY 18TH SASKI Snowboard Race JULY 19TH SASKI Alpine Race JULY 27TH Wombats Rambler JULY 30TH - AUGUST 2ND Australian Police Winter Games AUGUST 16TH - 18TH ANZ Cup Ski Cross

SLED DOG CLASSIC August 3-4

HOPPET NIGHT SPRINTS August 23

AUGUST 23RD Rudi Pendl Cup SEPTEMBER 8TH Summit Masters - Mogul Event

KANGAROO HOPPET August 25

GAY SKI WEEK September 5-12

JULY 21ST - 22ND Vic Junior Sprint Champs AUGUST 8TH - 10TH ASSSTC AUGUST 11TH Ski De Femme AUGUST 12TH Rocky Valley Rush / Sun Valley Ramble AUGUST 16TH No h East Primary School Relays AUGUST 18TH - 19TH Australian Open Sprint Champs AUGUST 23RD Hoppet Night Sprints - Invitational AUGUST 25TH Kangaroo Hoppet JUNE 24TH, JULY 7TH, AUGUST 5TH & SEPTEMBER 1ST Snow, Trek & Travel Mini Series

WEEKLY EVENTS

AUGUST 10TH Board Lounge Throwdown

TUESDAY Twilight Tuesdays (featuring Pete the Snow Dragon) 3:30pm - 5:30pm at the Village Bowl, in July & August

AUGUST 18TH - 19TH & 25TH - 26TH Nitro Good Times Weekend AUGUST 25TH Bandwagon Banked Slalom MCKAYOS October 6

JULY 21ST YMCA Howman’s Gap Vic Relay Champs

FREESTYLE EVENTS

AUGUST 18TH - 19TH SSA Slopestyle Series

LIGHT THE NIGHT September 1

JULY 14TH Snow, Trek & Travel High Plains Tour

SEPTEMBER 1ST - 2ND Storm the Castle

WEDNESDAY Night Skiing, Wombats Ramble from 6pm - 9pm (conditions permi ing) THURSDAY Night Show Spectacular at Village Bowl, from 8pm in July & August SATURDAY Night Skiing, Wombats Ramble from 6pm - 9pm (conditions permi ing)

Scheduled events are subject to snow and weather conditions and may be subject to change or cancellation

SEE MORE AT WWW.FALLSCREEK.COM.AU

PAGE 18 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; August 2018

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Falls Creek Medical Centre Winter Consulting Hours Daily: 10.00am - 12noon & 2.00 - 5.00pm After Hours Ring 03 5758 3238 or if an emergency call 000 Email enquiries@mbmc.com.au Web www.mbmc.com.au

This is a private trauma clinic and general practice. Fee for service will apply.

This practice is fully Accredited by Quality Practice Accreditation Pty Ltd and staffed by fully qualiďŹ ed Rural Medical Practitioners

Creek Centre

Falls Medical

Bogong High Plains Road, Falls Creek 3699 Phone (03) 5758 3238 c15D15055/23-18

FOR SALE

The Last Run Bar and Restaurant, Mt Hotham Business, Plant and Equipment 3 x 3 x 3 Lease Plus SAV Â&#x2021; Â&#x2021; Â&#x2021; Â&#x2021; Â&#x2021; Â&#x2021; Â&#x2021; Â&#x2021; Â&#x2021;

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Events Calendar Falls Creek

Mt Hotham July 28 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; July 31 Skis and Snowboard Australia Futures Camp and SSA Grom Snowboard Cross Championship July 28 & 29 Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Snowboard Shred Session - A weekend of clinics for female snowboarders to learn new skills from top female instructors.

July 30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; August 1 FIS Australia New Zealand Cup Snowboard Cross - See some of the best Snowboard Cross racers from Australia and New Zealand battle it out.

August 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; August 5 Australian Masters skiing.

- Back again for 2018, the Australian Masters will consist of Slalom, Dual Slalom, Giant Slalom and Ski Cross with a training day on August 3.

August 4 Pub to Pub Ski Race - An all ages and abilities cross country ski event from Hotham to Dinner Plain.

August 8 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; August 21 Gitan Alps pop up restaurant - The team from Melbourneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;HĂ´tel Gitan will take over Dinner Plainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Alphutte restaurant to offer a European-inspired mountain experience.

August 11 Furphy Night Rail Jam and After Party - Taking place in the Basin Terrain Park, show off your skills for the chance to win cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

August 11 & 12 Sled Dog Challenge - Watch more than 70 mushers and in excess of 350 dogs race around the Dinner Plain village trails.

August 11 Ski Patrol Big Gig - Major fundraiser for the Mt Hotham Volunteer Ski Patrol at The General with plenty of great prizes to be auctioned off.

August 11 & 12 Hotham Hammer Moguls - One of the Hotham Junior Freeride Series events takes place on the Harpers Gully Moguls on Heavenly Valley.

August 14 - August 17 Royal Australian Air Force Games 2018 - An eventful week of fierce competition by Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Air Force personal.

August 18 Yuki Birds Session - An event designed to bring female snowboarders together to ride and progress in the park. Suitable for intermediate or above boarders.

August 18 & 19 Australian Biathlon Championship at Whiskey Flat - Selection races for Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Biathlon team, a chance to view this unique sport which combines cross country skiing with target shooting.

August 20 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; August 24 FIS Australia and New Zealand Cup Alpine races - See some of the best Alpine skiers from Australia and New Zealand battle it out.

August 25 Hotham Banked Slalom and After Party - Open to any talented boarders, racing will take place on Gun Barrel. Dress-ups are welcomed with post-race celebrations at The Bird.

Weekly events s 4UESDAY 4RIVIA AT 4HE 'ENERAL

s 7EDNESDAY (ARRY THE 3NOW $RAGON LIVE shows at Big D s 4HURSDAY #RAFTERNOONS AT 4HE "IRD s 3ATURDAY ,IVE MUSIC AT #HILL "AR AND #AFÂż

The Bird song sessions, Live music at The General, Harry the Snow Dragon live shows at Big D s 3UNDAY -ARIO +ART COMPETITION AT !RCO 3KI Lodge

July 27 Wombats Rambler Night Race - 3.3 kilometres of Giant Slalom, with teams of four (including one member of the opposite sex) going head to head for bragging rights.

July 28 Moonlight Tour - Join Falls Creek Cross Country on a lunatic adventure. Bring warm clothes, a torch and your own skis or rent a pair.

July 29 Mountainfilm on Tour at Easy Eats Brewhouse - Features the best short films from the annual Mountainfilm festival in Telluride, Colorado including skiing, rafting, mountaineering.

July 30 - August 2 Australian Police Winter Games - The longest continual police winter sports competition in the world. It has been held annually since 1983. Involves social events, skiing and snowboarding races.

August 3 & 4 Falls Creek Sled Dog Classic - A must see event with teams of huskies racing through the village under lights. Starts and finishes in Slalom Plaza which offers prime viewing.

August 8 - August 10 Australian Secondary Schools Ski Team Championships - Brings together the best young snow sports athletes in the country with competitors given the opportunity to represent their school and state.

August 10 The Board Lounge Throwdown - Falls Creekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very own rail jam under lights.

Open to skiers and snowboarders with plenty of gear and prize money to be won.

August 11 Ski de Femme - Presented at by the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club the event offers free cross country skiing instruction to females in a choice of classical or skating techniques.

August 12 Rocky Valley Rush and Sun Valley Ramble )S A GREAT WARM UP RACE FOR THE +ANGAROO Hoppet, the classic style event is suitable for both beginners and advanced skiers.

August 16 North East Primary School Carnival - The Birkebeinier Nordic Ski Club runs a number of skill development activities and relays for kids enrolled in a North East schools.

August 18 & 19 Australian Open and Sprint Championships - Watch Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best and elite international skiers demonstrate classic skiing at its best, or if you are up for the challenge see how you compare.

August 23 Falls Creek Invitation Night Sprints - Features elite Australian and international skiers at Falls Creek the Hoppet. Tales place in the Village Bowl at the top of the Gully Chairlift with a series of knockout rounds.

August 24 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; September 1 Avalanche Training Australia - A two-day and four-day avalanche awareness and avoidance courses will provide backcountry enthusiasts with practical skills for their off-piste pursuits.

August 25 +ANGAROO (OPPET - Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wordloppet series cross country ski event. Offers distances for all ages and abilities with the main 42km race as well as shorter 21km and 7km distances.

Weekly events s 4UESDAY 4WILIGHT 4UESDAY S KIDS STREET PARTY s 7EDNESDAY .IGHT 3KIING s 4HURSDAY .IGHT SHOW AND FIREWORKS s 3ATURDAY .IGHT SKIING

Omeo EXTENDED TRADING HOURS FOR WINTER

NOW DELIVERING TO MT HOTHAM & DINNER PLAIN! Delivery service available to Dinner plain 5 days a week Mt Hotham deliveries available on Tuesday & Friday only.

Free delivery for purchases of $150 and over (Excluding cigarettes and alcohol). Minimum delivery fee of $8 to Dinner Plain and $10 to Mt Hotham for all other orders.

Orders required by 8am for all deliveries. (Delivery prices may be negotiable) *Terms and Conditions apply* v/15d14241/22-17

Monday - Thursday 6:30am to 7:00pm Friday - Saturday 6:30am to 7:00pm Sunday 8:00am to 6:00pm SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR HERO PASS CUSTOMERS Orders can be placed by phone or email or fax. Store contact:

03 5159 1210

Fax: 03 5159 1448 | Email: omeofoodworks@gmail.com

www.nemedia.com.au

MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2018 — PAGE 19

PAGE 20 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2018

MOGUL LIFT DEALS Pay 5 ski 6* SKI10 – 10 days consecutive days from $818 SKI30 – 30 days consecutive days from $970 Kids 12 & under ski FREE when taking a rental package*

www.nemedia.com.au

Here’s why Mogul Ski World rates Aspen Snowmass as one of the world’s top ski areas G Only takes two flights from Australia with direct flights from LA to Aspen, then just a

10 minutes taxi ride.

G Four mountains; Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass, all on

MOGUL RENTAL DEALS

the one lift pass.

Skis or Snowboard Rental Deal - Save 40% on 14+ days* Save 30% on 7+ days* MOGUL LESSON DEALS Lesson Deal - Save 40% on 14+ days* Save 30% on 7+ days* HURRY, MUST BOOK BY 31 AUGUST

G Experience the different characters of each mountain – from the rolling groomers of

Snowmass to ‘The Bowl’ at Highlands, the hits and rails of Buttermilk to the bumps on ‘Face of Belle’ on Aspen Mountain.

G The Victorian style of this town will charm you with hundreds of shops, galleries, restaurants and bars.

G Great ski in ski out accommodation options right on the slopes of Snowmass.

MAKE THIS YOUR YEAR TO EXPERIENCE ASPEN SNOWMASS

ASPEN

ASPEN

★★★★

ASPEN SQUARE From

★★★★★

HOTEL JEROME

*

ASPEN

$3089 per person

From

Based on 7 nights in a Fireplace Studio including a 6 day lift pass for 2 adults.

Valid 06 – 31 Jan.

★★★★

THE GANT

*

*

$4079 per person

From

Based on 7 nights in a Deluxe King Hotel Room including a 6 day lift pass for 2 adults.

Valid 06 Jan – 16 Jan.

$9995 per family

Based on 7 nights in a Deluxe Two Bedroom including a 6 day lift pass for 2 adults & 2 children 12 or under & 6 day rentals for 2 children 12 or under.

Valid 06 Jan – 16 Jan.

ACCOMMODATION DEAL Stay 5 Pay 4* Based on book by 01 November

ACCOMMODATION DEAL Stay 7 Pay 5* Based on book by 31 October

ACCOMMODATION DEAL Save 30%* Based on book by 31 August

EARLYBIRD LIFT DEAL Ski 6 Pay 5* Based on book by 15 December

EARLYBIRD LIFT DEAL Ski 6 Pay 5* Based on book by 15 December

EARLYBIRD LIFT DEAL Ski 6 Pay 5* Based on book by 15 December KIDS RENTAL DEAL Buy rental package and receive lift pass FREE* Based on book by 15th of month prior

LIMELIGHT SNOWMASS

SNOWMASS

★★★★★

From

★★★★

THE CRESTWOOD

*

SNOWMASS

$2948 per person

From

Based on 7 nights in a Deluxe King Room including a 6 day lift pass for 2 adults.

Valid 06 Jan – 23 Jan.

$7389 per family

Based on 7 nights in a Deluxe One Bedroom + Loft including a 6 day lift pass for 2 adults & 2 children 12 or under & 6 day rentals for 2 children 12 or under.

Valid 06 Jan – 14 Feb.

★★★★★

CAPITOL PEAK

*

*

From

$10,159 per family

Based on 7 nights in a Gold Two Bedroom including a 6 day lift pass for 2 adults & 2 children 12 or under & 6 day rentals for 2 children 12 or under.

Valid 06 Jan – 14 Feb.

ACCOMMODATION DEAL Stay 7 Save 25%* Based on book by 31 August

ACCOMMODATION DEAL Stay 5 Save 20%* Based on book by 01 October

ACCOMMODATION DEAL Stay 5 Pay 4* Based on book by 01 November

EARLYBIRD LIFT DEAL Ski 6 Pay 5* Based on book by 15 December

EARLYBIRD LIFT DEAL Ski 6 Pay 5* Based on book by 15 December

EARLYBIRD LIFT DEAL Ski 6 Pay 5* Based on book by 15 December

KIDS RENTAL DEAL Buy rental package and receive lift pass FREE* Based on book by 15th of month prior

KIDS RENTAL DEAL Buy rental package and receive lift pass FREE* Based on book by 15th of month prior

IATA Accredited *Conditions apply please contact Mogul Ski World for all details

1800 335 724 reservations@mogulski.com.au mogulski.com.au

51D03739-V3/3118

SNOWMASS