Mt Hotham Falls Creek News

SEPTEMBER ISSUE, 2018

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CARVING IT UP AUSSIE legend Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin was among several Winter Olympians offering their expertise to the next generation of snowboarders at Mt Hotham as part of the SSA Futures program in early August.

The two-time world champion later beat out his counterparts in Snowboarder Cross racing and will be back on the mountain at the start of September for more Australia and New Zealand Cup action.

PHOTO: Chris Hocking

inside

P2 BACKCOUNTRY Making the most of Spring conditions at Mt Hotham.

P7 TERRAIN PARK Q&A with Brihony Johnson, Mt Hotham Terrain Park member.

Super spring ahead

By JUSTIN JENVEY

CASTLE CROWN P16 Nick Payne aiming for his fourth Storm the Castle title at Falls.

index Kangaroo Hoppet

P11

Events calendar

P18

THIS year might well be remembered as the winter that just keeps on giving.

It seems we haven’t gone more than a few days without at least a couple of centimetres of snow falling.

Last month we spoke about the snow depth passing a metre and now with the most recent storms there’s a base of more than two metres.

Consecutive seasons of high snow totals are rare but what 2018 has

already delivered has meant the best back-to-back winters in a long time.

So good has the season been that Mt Hotham Ski Company chose to extend the season into October.

With spring upon us, a time when backcountry skiing is at its best, we had Mt Hotham ambassador Drew Jolowicz tell us about why he loves heading outside the resort boundaries.

We hear how a cross country skiing event is leading to more female participation and a revival in the sport.

On the topic of cross country

skiing we preview this year’s Kangaroo Hoppet which should again be hotly contested in both the men’s and women’s fields.

From a local perspective, will Mt Beauty’s two-time Olympian Phil Bellingham finally be able to break through for his first Hoppet win?

Also in this final edition of the Mt Hotham Falls Creek News, Justin Jenvey had a chat to Mt Hotham’s first female terrain park crew member in more than a decade.

We learn about what skills and re-

sponsibilities are required and taught as a volunteer member of Falls Creek SES. Spring is also the time when ski and snowboard tricksters get to show off.

At Mt Hotham the mountain’s Free Ski club is teaching kids how to fly high while at Falls Creek preparations are gearing up for the annual Storm the Castle slopestyle event.

We also tell you why a visit to the Falls Creek museum is a must-do experience in your travels to the resort.

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PAGE 2 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — September 2018

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New event promises tips and to inspire

MOUNTAIN AMBASSADOR: Drew Jolowicz is a Hotham local who you would have seen pictured on billboards, in brochures, on social media and in videos promoting the resort.

PHOTOS: Chris Hocking

Off the beaten track HAVING grown up in Bright at the foot of high country, this year marks the 30th winter I’ve got to ski at Mt Hotham.

Hotham offers some amazing terrain both within the resort and just beyond the resort boundaries.

The backcountry terrain that surrounds the resort is where my passion lies, and where I spend a lot of time skiing.

Hotham’s unique layout makes it perfect for accessing the surrounding backcountry.

With the village location situated at the top of the mountain, a series of ridges, bowls and gullies all descend from here.

This allows for easy access and great ski touring, whilst providing incredible views of the Victorian Alps.

When conditions allow, quality dry powder snow can be found several days after a snowfall (or soft corn snow in spring).

This holds true, particularly when we are experiencing

Serious about targeting the ski industry this Winter?

By Drew Jolowicz

such a strong snow season, like the current one.

Consistent snowfalls right from the beginning have provided great conditions for backcountry travel season to date.

Areas such as Dargo Bowl, Pink Hamburg or the Razorback offer varied terrain on different aspects, which afford wide-open spaces, fewer people and quality snow.

For me, there is nothing better than storm riding within the resort as the snow is falling, and then when the weather clears, heading out into the surrounding backcountry to look for more un-

AUGUST ISSUE, 2018

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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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touched, pristine lines.

These regions allow you to slow down and escape the hustle and bustle, as well as offering up world class terrain!

In recent years the popularity of backcountry travel has seen a dramatic increase.

More and more people are pushing out further to explore these zones and find their own piece of solitude.

A major improvement in touring equipment has aided this trend, by becoming more lightweight, stronger and easier to use.

With increased numbers

seeking to get off the beaten track, it’s important to keep the following key safety aspects in mind when travelling in the backcountry: 1: Never travel alone 2: Let someone know your trip intentions/itinerary (especially for longer tours) 3: Check weather forecasts, and if possible avoid travelling in bad weather.

4: Ensure you are carrying the appropriate safety equipment and know how to use it (transceiver, shovel, probe, rope, first aid kit etc.)

5: Be sure to check any available backcountry advisories and bulletins. (www. mountainsportscollective.org is a great community lead resource for this).

6: Always look out for other people. On steeper technical slopes travel one at a time and select safe places to stop.

Avoid dropping in on top of other groups.

7: Stay well hydrated and carry plenty of food and water for your travels.

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

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8: Dress in layers and avoid sweating if possible.

9: Let the snowpack settle straight after a significant snowfall.

One of the aspects I find most rewarding about skiing in the backcountry is that it’s a constantly changing environment, which keeps you on your toes.

From day to day, even hourby-hour, conditions can rapidly change, which you need to be aware of.

Even if you have been to a location many times something is always different, whether it be snow conditions, wind, stability, weather etc.

As I sit here tapping away on the keyboard we are expecting another 20-30cms to blanket the Victorian Alps over the coming days.

This will ensure that conditions for backcountry travel surrounding Hotham should remain excellent deep into spring.

See you out there.

NEXT EDITION: June 2019 Booking deadline: May 23, 2019 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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Telephone: (03) 5723 0100 YOUR NEWS: Contributed articles, news, artwork and color photographs from readers are most welcome.

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A BACKCOUNTRY celebration, one of the newest events at Falls Creek, is less than two weeks away.

The Victorian Back Country Festival on September 1 and 2 will celebrate World Telemark Day and is an opportunity to embrace the snow-covered terrain beyond Victoria’s largest alpine resort, be it via tele, split boarding, cross country skiing, snow shoeing or alpine touring.

Coordinated with support from Falls Creek Cross Country, who are providing use of their centre to host numerous free sessions, it promises to be an enthralling two days.

Activities include snow camping tips, a touring skills session around the Nordic trails (on and off groomed areas), navigation clinic, informal talks and film sessions.

Two-time Olympic skier and Hotham Crema will also share her experiences of transitioning from ski cross racing to being a backcountry enthusiast.

Another guest presenter will be Tamara Hutchins from Melbourne Girls Outside, one of the fastest growing female adventure groups in the country.

She will be talk about breaking down barriers to adventure sports, and empowering women in the outdoors.

The second day will see World Telemark Day acknowledged with two options, the first is hitting some terrain on what will hopefully be a nice spring day or joining a backcountry tour.

The destination of the backcountry trek will depend on the group and conditions but people should come prepared for a 4-5 hour adventure.

You can book your festival place by visiting the following link www. eventbrite.com.au/e/ vic-backcountry-festivaltickets-44067688643.

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

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — September 2018 — PAGE 3

Female skiing participation is on the up

By STRUAN JONES AT Falls Creek a cross-country ski club is doing amazing things for females in skiing.

The Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club, founded in 1977 in Mt Beauty, promotes the development of cross-country skiing.

Its members include Olympians, citizen racers and a vast array of skiers who love the mountains and love to ski.

In the winter of 1993, in an effort to encourage female participation in the sport, two top-ranked female Swedish athletes and their coach visited Falls Creek to conduct ski clinics, exposing Australian women and girls to elite cross-country skiing.

The visit was funded through the assistance of the Australian Sports Commission’s Towards Gender Equity Programme.

The visit was the catalyst for Falls Creek’s annual Ski de Femme presented by the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club, a community cross-country ski event for women which takes place in early August.

The Ski de Femme is an open event for beginner and intermediate skiers of all ages, with free clinics run by some of Australia’s best female skiers, including National Team members Katerina Paul and Casey Wright.

This year international skiers Aurelie Dabudyk and Iris Pessey, both from France, were also involved.

The day culminated in a series of friendly races to bring out the participants’ competitive spirits.

While male skiers are generally stronger and faster than their female counterparts, cross-country skiing isn’t traditionally a gendered sport.

Yet female participation in the sport hasn’t always been strong.

Helen L’Huillier was a physical education

teacher back in 1994 when she started the Ski de Femme event with fellow local Jenny van der Ploeg, to encourage more women to get involved in the sport that she loved.

Today the Birkebeiner Club is led by a number of dynamic female skiers and now than 100 women and girls are taking part in the Ski de Femme event.

L’Huillier also manages entries to the country’s largest ski race, the 42km Kangaroo Hoppet, and has seen an increase in female participation of over 50 per cent since it started in 1991.

Secretary of the Birkebeiner Ski Club and manager of the Victorian Cross-Country Ski Team Ronice Goebel, has been part of the Australian skiing community since she started skiing with university friends in 1988.

She says that today about two-thirds of the Victorian team comprises young female athletes, and agrees that there are more women out skiing now than ever before.

In fact, the whole sport is experiencing a renaissance with interest in backcountry skiing increasing.

Tony Pammer, manager at Falls Creek Cross Country, has noted a “four-fold increase” in lessons this season compared to the same time two years ago.

More cross-country instructors have been hired to keep up with the demand, including three female instructors from Europe.

This year the Birkebeiner Club is hosting American Cambria McDermott, the first female ski coach to conduct lessons and clinics with its members.

The sport isn’t all about competition and racing, in fact, the opposite is probably truer.

“It’s not about winning so much, it’s not even about racing, it’s about enjoying the sport, making connections and friendships with people from all over the world,” Goebel said.

GROWING INTEREST: More and more women and girls and taking up crosscountry skiing with Falls Creek at the forefront of the trend.

Hopes pathway review will fast track cross-country success SKI and Snowboard Australia’s cross country officials have identified athlete recruitment and development below the national team as one of the main priorities requiring more focus and resources over the next four years.

As part of its quadrennial strategic plan review, SSAXC says a larger pool of talented, trained, educated and motivated athlete and coaches is needed to achieve long term

objectives of achieving international success and a sustainable domestic cross country skiing community.

To assist to determine the optimal pathway structures with which to achieve these sport development objectives, SSAXC is undertaking a comprehensive review of existing underpinning athlete and coaching pathways.

A review of athlete pathway programs at the state and

club level will be driven by key leaders including Sochi Winter Olympian Callum Watson who has been appointed coach of the 2019 World Junior Championship Team and Victorian junior head coach Ronice Goebel who will take on an interim role of SSAXC national coaching director.

Both will review past and current club junior programs while Goebel also has the primary responsibility of reviewing the na-

tional coach education system and coaching pathway.

In addition to examining current course content and investigating modular and online delivery mechanisms, the level 0-1-2 structure will be evaluated in relation to required coaching competencies at different levels of the athlete pathway.

SSAXC also aims to establish a Cross Country Leaders Forum to bring together the

key drivers of cross country skiing athlete development from around the country.

They see close cooperation with the state cross country committees and their athlete pathway programs as essential to achieving a national athlete development system overseeing seamless integration from grassroots recruiting into regional based development programs and on into the national team.

Together with these re-

views, SSAXC head coach Valerio Leccardi will be working with state coaches to find coaching and training plan solutions for the leading national and state junior team athletes.

Two junior international programs for the 20182019 season have recently been announced, and the aim is to ensure that all athletes involved have medium term goals and training plans in place.

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PAGE 4 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — September 2018

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Just Listed

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — September 2018 — PAGE 5

Expressions of Interest - Significant Land Release Under instructions from the Falls Creek Alpine Resort Management Board.

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Land area 11,200 sqm* offered ‘in whole or part’

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Includes ATS Terminal

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Suitable for retail, commercial & residential including staff accommodation

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Information memorandum available upon request

* Approximate land area | * Yellow shaded area is for illustration purposes only

Expressions of Interest Closes

Friday 14 September 2018 at 5pm

John Castran

0411 502 424 john@castran.com.au

PAGE 6 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — September 2018

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M T H OT H A M

JUNIOR FREE RIDE CO M P S K I A N D B OA R D 15 SEPT

2018

FREE RIDE COMPETITION The Mountain Freeride is a junior only event that allows skiers and snowboarders of all abilities to compete in a judged freeride event over natural and man-made features.

Saturday 15th September 2018 Great prizes to be won. Open to skiers and boarders.

For more information visit hotham.com.au

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — September 2018 — PAGE 7

Brihony breaking stereotypes BRIHONY Johnson (BJ) is the first female member of the Mt Hotham Terrain Park crew in more than a decade.

This winter is her first building parks having previously spent four seasons working in Japan in hospitality. On one of her recent days off Justin Jenvey (JJ) chatted to the 23 year-old about her first winter working at Hotham.

JJ: Is building terrain parks something you always wanted to do?

BJ: I was lucky enough to grow up with parents who loved the snow and as a family we came up to Mt Hotham every winter from when I was three years old to age 15.

Growing up in the Australian ski fields I’ve always been one to go through the park every now and then. My older brother Jack who I look up to worked at Falls Creek in the terrain parks before moving to Thredbo. I always idolised him and know that he learnt a lot of his skills from riding park and I always thought I would like to do the same thing. I’m pretty creative and I like to do physical work with my hands so I thought it would be the perfect job for me.

JJ: Are there many females like you who ride park?

BJ: We’ve actually got a really good solid group of female snowboarders and skiers that are coming through the park quite regularly. We’re all

had a really impressive park, probably one of the best ever parks. A lot of people were talking about how big it was and the features that they were in it being unbelievable. This year’s parks are pretty incredible too. With the amount of snow we’ve had our Summit Park is pretty big and it’s only going to keep growing with more snow and the Basin Rail Park also looks fantastic. Both have some really impressive new features. We are constantly building maybe once or twice every fortnight so the park is continually changing up.

PARK PASSION: Brihony Johnson at the top of Mt Hotham’s Summit Terrain Park not only loves catching some air she also helps build the kickers she hits.

PHOTO: Chris Hocking a pretty similar age bracket in our 20s and there are a couple of young guns coming through as well. I would like to think that because I put myself in there trying to break down that barrier of it being such a male dominated field that it will help women want to learn. I’ve definitely pushed a couple of my mates to come in and learn the basics and get sliding on some of the boxes and there’s absolutely no reason why more

girls shouldn’t give it a go.

The Furphy Rail Jam proved how many more girls are getting into riding park, we had heaps of females do the competition, more than we ever expected so that was really good to see.

JJ: In terms of work do you have a certain job within the terrain park crew?

BJ: Our jobs are pretty well shared. There isn’t one thing

that someone else doesn’t do whether it’s more physical than another thing, so it’s fair on everyone. We help design the park and have two groomers who have come from Canadian seasons who are pretty experienced and they do all the heavy pushing.

The rest of us are just the little shovels, as I like to call us. We do a lot of raking down just making sure the features are tidy and safe for everyone to hit and when we

get storms we do a fair bit of digging and moving of features. We farm snow so we put up a lot of fences around the park and try to catch that snow that is being blown by the wind. We also set up a lot of rope lines to make sure that the park is nice and safe and secure from every other slope that is beside it.

JJ: What are the Hotham terrain parks like this year?

BJ: Last year the guys

JJ: Have you enjoyed your season?

BJ: Absolutely, I’m so glad that I put myself in this job I’m really lucky to have been given the opportunity, I can’t thank Damien Frawley enough. As crew members we do a lot of building and we have been very busy with the amount of snow we’ve been getting but when the weather’s nice and sunny we’re also able to do a couple of laps. I’ve found that I’ve been riding better and my skills as a park rider have definitely improved from being amongst a group of guys that are very good park riders. Building the park gives you an idea of how to ride it which also helps with the skills to be able to improve yourself.

I would love to come back and build up my park skills even more next year…it’s been great.

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PAGE 8 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — September 2018

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — September 2018 — PAGE 9

Stay dry with Nikwax WINTER WONDERLAND: Skiers at Mt Hotham have experienced one of the best seasons in a number of years.

PHOTO: Chris Hocking

Hotham lifts to stay open longer

By JUSTIN JENVEY MT HOTHAM Ski Company will keep its lifts spinning for an extra week, announcing on August 6 that the season would be extended until Sunday, October 7.

Last year both Mt Hotham and Falls Creek stayed open for an extra week after unprecedented snowfalls in late August and early September.

This year a record-breaking June saw the resort snow base depth exceed measured totals since 1993 and has been followed by consist-

ent snowfalls throughout July and August.

Snowfalls during the second week of August helped push the snow base at both resorts beyond 150cm.

When the Mt Hotham Falls Creek News went to print depths were approaching two metres while more than 350cm of snow had accumulated up to that point.

Mt Hotham Ski Company general manager Belinda Trembath said a longer season was great news for snow lovers and those who might be planning their first ski trip.

“We are delighted to offer our guests the opportunity to ski and snowboard into October,â€? she said. “With spring conditions so wonderful with more blue skies and exciting après events, there were so many reasons we had to extend this year.â€?

As part of the announcement, Hotham’s final week of the season will include extended Lego Discovery Centre activities at the kid’s hub, as well as end of season lift pass specials.

Some of Hotham’s favourite res-

taurants will also remain open to provide the complete Mt Hotham holiday experience.

In conjunction with the season extension announcement, Mt Hotham’s Spring Pass is now on sale giving avid snow lovers unlimited access to both Mt Hotham and Falls Creek ski resorts in spring. “From Saturday, September 1, guests will be able to make their final mad dash to the slopes to enjoy conditions and an exciting après scene and now an additional week of ski days,â€? Ms Trembath said.

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — September 2018 — PAGE 11

Throwback to old school ski fashion

By JUSTIN JENVEY NOWADAYS wearing a neon onesie is generally only acceptable at ironic costume parties or events like vintage ski days.

In September skiers and snowboarders at Mt Hotham will acceptingly be able to wind back the clock and gear up the most outrageous day of the season.

And if you’re looking for inspiration here is how the ski clothing has changed of the past 50 years or so.

The 1960s brought more attention to ski attire, with tighter,

lighter clothing and high fashion fabrics to keep you warm while the 70s was when synthetics ruled the slopes with the introduction of nylon jackets and the fleece mid-layer.

The 80s had geometric shapes, bright colours and white headbands and was a period that also saw animal design, overalls, and onesies or romper suit as we like to call them.

The 90s mostly kept but tamed the animals and bright neon colours of the 80s, ditching the perms and legwarmers to something closer to the plainer fashions of today.

September 15 is the chance to

step out on the slopes in fluro ski suits and bum-bags as Mt Hotham wants to see your best retro gear.

They’ll be prizes to be won while the day will culminate at the top of Summit where DJ Eddy will be spinning throwback tunes at sunset before the party heads on to the Snowbird for a night of live music and later a fireworks display.

ACCEPTABLE IN THE 80S: Lynette Bannister, T.J McQueen, Rob Barron and Lauren McNab stood out during Retro Day at Mt Hotham last year.

Hoppet to be hotly contested

By STRUAN JONES THE marquee event of winter at Falls Creek is of course the Kangaroo Hoppet cross-country ski race which this year falls on August 25.

Part of the Worldloppet series of cross-country ski marathons held annually throughout the world, the Kangaroo Hoppet is the largest snow-sports event in the southern hemisphere.

More than 1,000 entries are again expected across the three distances, the 8km Joey Hoppet, the 21km Birkebeiner, and the premier 42km Kangaroo Hoppet.

International participation is always strong, with around 30 per cent of the field from overseas on top of 20 per cent of skiers being from outside Victoria.

This year’s Hoppet has attracted participants from 24 nations including Russia, Mongolia, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Israel and India.

In the men’s field, dual Olympians Phil Bellingham and Callum Watson will be looking for their first Hoppet win.

In last year’s race, after 42km of hard racing, Bellingham was beaten by a boot-length in a photo finish while Watson wasn’t far behind in fourth.

Australian National Team coach Valerio Leccardi is also a contender.

The Swiss Winter Olympian has three Hoppet wins to his name, placed third last year, and will be keen to add another title to his CV. A fourth victory will see him join Australians Ben Sim and Ben Derrick as the only skiers to have four Hoppet wins to their credit.

Looming as the main challenger to Bellingham and Watson from the next group of developing Australian skiers is Mark Pollock from Albury and in the mix with him will be Seve de Campo and Liam Burton.

Burton and de Campo are former

National Junior Team members whose results in the last northern hemisphere winter have seen them move up to World Cup Team standard.

Amongst the women, last year’s winner, triple Winter Olympian Barbara Jezersek (twice representing Slovenia and most recently skiing for Australia) is the top-ranked woman in Australia.

Two-time Winter Olympian Aimee Watson has been getting plenty of skiing in this year despite working full-time as a vet in Corowa, and cannot be overlooked for a podium spot.

The next generation of Australian women vying for a podium place will include Casey Wright, Katerina Paul, Ella Jackson, and Australia’s leading biathlete Jillian Colebourn.

Jezersek’s main challenge to achieving back-to-back Hoppet crowns is French skier Aurelie Dabudyk.

Dabudyk is the world’s leading marathon skier, having won the Worldloppet Cup three years in a row, and has been based at Falls Creek since early July.

She will have plenty of skiing kilometres under her feet as well as good local knowledge of course conditions.

Compatriot Iris Pessey placed third last year, and is back for a second winter working at the Falls Creek Cross Country Ski School.

Also in the mix will be Cambria McDermott from the USA, who is spending the winter in Mt Beauty as the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club’s coach-in-residence.

She took first place in the Mt Hotham Pub to Pub race in the lead up to the Hoppet.

The day’s event culminates in an evening presentation ceremony in Mt Beauty, a festival-like community event that marks the end of the Australian racing season.

PHOTO FINISH: Last year’s Kangaroo Hoppet was decided right on the line with American Miles Havlick (left) pipping Mt Beauty’s Phil Belligham.

PHOTO: Chris Hocking

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PAGE 12 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — September 2018

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Rescued hiker’s experience a wake-up call for all to be prepared

By TATE SPITERI POLICE are warning people to be properly prepared if they are heading outside resort boundaries whether it be to hike or ski.

On August 4, a 47-year-old man from Yackandandah became lost for more than 10 hours in freezing conditions.

The experienced hiker was walking Razorback Ridge and contacted a friend at about 5.30pm on August 4 saying he needed assistance.

Police and SES were notified and commenced a search but

were unable to locate the man before abandoning the operation at midnight due to severe weather conditions.

The man was found at 3.45am on Wednesday, August 5, uninjured, by a friend who hiked from Harrietville.

Detective Senior Constable Ian Deverill said police don’t encourage people to go out on their own, no matter what their experience.

“The main issue surrounds not having the sufficient equipment, people need to be prepared for severe weather which can come along very quickly in these areas,” he said.

The Bureau of Metrology had issued a severe weather warning not long before the man’s ordeal began - a notification for winds as strong 120km/h and snow below 1200m.

Detective Deverill said both men should have known better than to head out alone.

“We encourage people to try having a minimum of two to three in these areas, being exposed to some of the ridges up here is deadly, especially with high winds and a minimum of zero,” he said.

“It’s a deadly combination and it puts our search and rescue officers

in harm’s way as well, we need to be very cautious of that.”

While most people don’t anticipate encountering dangers Detective Deverill said hikers need to expect the worst.

“Take a power pack for your phone, take little headlights or strobe lights, have a plan for what you are going to do if you get lost or disorientated,” he said.

“Register with ski patrol and use GPS devices, people can download My Location on their phone which gives us your coordinates.

“A phone is a great thing, we can

also track your sim, but it’s no good if it’s flat.”

Detective Deverill also urged people to not leave their run too late in terms of seeking assistance.

“If the weather is coming in and something is going on or you’re not feeling comfortable, ring us early instead of 10 minutes before its dark which makes our job more difficult,” he said.

“In this case the person was quite lucky it wasn’t snowing, we had pretty foul weather the next morning so he is lucky to be safe and sound back with his family.”

Capable in all conditions

By STRUAN JONES BY 8am every Wednesday morning volunteers of the Falls Creek SES gather in their headquarters, say hello to each other, make coffee, and sort out their snow kit.

Approximately a dozen members make up the core of the search and rescue team, with countless years of experience between them.

Chris Moegel, 43, is into his second year as the unit’s controller, and has been part of the SES for 22 years.

He was born at Falls Creek, and his parents Yogi and Lori were founding members of what was then a collection of lodge owners who banded together to search for lost skiers whenever needed.

“My folks came in about 1970, dad was deputy for years and mum still does a lot of work behind the scenes.” Moegel said.

The SES is primarily responsible for search and rescue operations outside the Falls Creek resort boundary, but will assist ski patrol, police, and CFA in any effort requiring specialist skills and equipment.

“The majority of what we do is pick up injured cross country skiers, no one else has the capability we have,” Moegel said.

“Police will train and come out with us, and ambos, but we have the rescue trailers and snowmobiles.”

Thanks to advances in technology, most SES callouts nowadays are rescue operations, with lost skiers

SEARCH AND RESCUE: Skills training on snowmobiles is an important focus for SES volunteers at Falls Creek over winter. more easily able to share their location with their phone.

Most of their winter training focuses on snowmobile riding skills, navigation, local knowledge, and patient handling.

To navigate the High Plains in a white out, volunteers must have a virtual map of

the surroundings in their head, acquired over years of riding in the terrain.

Other volunteers describe Moegel as having a “sixth sense” for knowing where he is.

New members are always welcome, but must be able to commit to the training across a number of seasons.

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Nik Demopoulos has been ski instructing at Falls Creek for 16 years, and is in his tenth season as an SES volunteer.

“I love teaching people and I love helping people,” he said.

“When I started I wasn’t a fantastic rider, but they trained me up.

“It’s a unique set of skills, and you’ve got to constantly keep them polished, I call it a perishable skill, if you don’t do it for a while, you’ll lose it.”

So far this season there have been two successful rescues.

All the volunteers have stories of long nights search-

ing for lost people and they know just how difficult a call-out can be, so exercises are taken seriously.

Wednesday training happens no matter what the weather is outside the shed.

“For me it’s about helping people and putting my skills somewhere they can be used,” Demopoulos said.

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — September 2018 — PAGE 13

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Iconic ski event is back on the bill at Falls Creek

By STRUAN JONES AFTER a 23-year hiatus the Summit Masters will return to Falls Creek.

The hot dog-style moguls event will take place on September 8 and 9 and will feature a dual-course with skiers se to face-off alongside each other.

The event was the brainchild of Lynne Grosse, a Falls Creek icon who achieved national and international success from 1979 to 1985.

Grosse passed away earlier this year and to honour the champion skier Falls Creek decided to bring her old event back.

Born in Sydney in 1962 Grosse had an astonishing career.

When her family relocated to Adelaide she took up skateboarding at age seven and at 14 won the World Skateboard Titles in Los Angeles, leading to her being dubbed ‘the little dark horse from Down Under’.

Not long after, ‘Linny’, as she was affectionately known, took up surfing and added the South Australian Women’s title to her list of achievements.

In 1978 after being encouraged by friends, she started downhill skiing at Falls Creek,

specialising in freestyle and moguls, and becoming a pioneering Australian aerial skier.

In 1984 Grosse became the first female to win a World Cup medal for Australia and the first in aerial skiing, paving the way for future aerialists such as Kirstie Marshall and Jacqui Cooper.

Grosse started the Summit Masters once she retired, after becoming frustrated at the lack of professional events back home.

She organising the entire event herself which included finding sponsors and inviting international participants.

At its peak the Summit Masters attracted over 100 athletes.

Music would blare from speakers and skiers would fly down a steep 230m course, being judged on their jumps, speed and technique.

After 10 years, and with an aching body, Grosse left Falls Creek in 1995 for Queensland and without her enthusiasm, the event ended.

In April this year, Lynne Grosse passed away, and it was decided to rekindle the event in her honour.

“Bringing the event back had been talked about for a few years now.” Falls Creek race and events coordinator

Mark McDonald said.

“We felt it was something that had to be done.”

Some of Grosse’s old ski partners and competitors are pleased to see the event return.

Katie Stevens won the inaugural event in 1985, and had been a close friend and ski buddy of Grosse since her early days at Falls Creek in 1979.

She remembers Linny as “pretty wild”.

“We had a sensational group of freestyle skiers back then,” Stevens said.

“I loved skiing bumps and getting air, I had to ski with the boys for company, and then I came across Lynne, which was great for me.

“She was a really inspirational friend to have.”

Mark McDonald admits the race won’t be as serious this year as it was when in its heyday, but is still predicting a good turnout of skiers.

The event will run over two days, with an individual Giant Slalom scheduled for the Saturday night.

The finals are on the Sunday, and presentations will be at the Frying Pan Inn at 4pm.

“It will honour Linny, which I’m super happy about,” Stevens said.

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PAGE 16 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — September 2018

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Payne eyes fourth castle crown

By STRUAN JONES FALLS Creek will play host to some of the country’s best slopestyle skiers and boarders at this year’s Storm the Castle event on September 1.

The grassroots event has run annually since 2014 and is now the showcase freestyle event at Falls Creek.

Park manager and event judge Marcel Van der Veer said it attracts competitors from all Australian resorts. “It’s about showing how professional Falls Creek can be,� he said.

Skiers and snowboarders will start off hitting two massive jumps, one 45foot followed by a larger 60-foot kicker and will finish with two rails.

Athletes are judged on the overall impression of their tricks, including the difficulty and execution of their moves.

Local Falls Creek skier Nick Payne, 20, won the inaugural 2014 contest despite being only 16 and has gone on to win the event every year since.

Payne is setting his sights on the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and approaches skiing like it’s his job. “Every day I’m training, everything has to be perfect and precise,� he said.

Despite being on snow almost every day, Payne works just as hard on his mental focus and meditates daily to practice controlling his breath to stay calm before events. “You can hit a jump only once every 15 minutes on snow, but I can visualise hitting that jump again and again, even when I’m not out there skiing,� he said.

American snowboarder Amanda Chase, 25, has been training at Falls Creek all winter and will be competing

in her second Storm the Castle after placing second last year.

She says this year she’s working even harder and trying some new things. “The biggest challenge is overcoming the fear of the big jumps, and then nailing it. “Slopestyle is always challenging, the adrenaline is crazy but it’s a lot of fun.�

Nick Payne had a history in the race club at Falls Creek, but quickly lost interest when he started doing 360s and “being a menace on skis.�

The cutthroat competitive nature of alpine racing wasn’t for him, and he much prefers the feeling amongst skiers and boarders launching off jumps in the park.

Not to say he doesn’t get nervous about competing but Payne’s mature attitude to competing is well beyond his 20 years. “Whether it was my best effort, or whether I came out angry with myself, I’m always going to learn something,� he said. “If you love what you’re doing you’re going to take criticism really well.�

Despite an expected huge crowd and cash prizes on offer, the camaraderie amongst the athletes trumps the competition between them. “It’s not about beating your rival, it’s just about skiing your best and enjoying it,� Payne said. “Skiing isn’t about being better than someone else.�

Van der Veer couldn’t agree more. “On the day it’s all high-fives, it’s really cool and is a great day for Falls Creek,� he said.

Hotham pair are in junior Aussie team RISING Mt Hotham talents Carter Mills and Tom Heffernan will this week compete in the FIS Junior Freestyle Ski and Snowboard World Championships in Wanaka, New Zealand.

The pair are part of a 16-member team for the competition which takes place from August 24 to September 8.

Mills will race the Snowboard Cross and Heffernan will contest the Ski Slopestyle/Big Air. The event will form part of the Audi Quattro Winter Games NZ which returns for its sixth edition this year.

Australia has a proud record at the Junior World Championships and will be looking to bring home a swag of medals as they take on the top nations from around the globe.

Held at Cardrona Alpine Resort, the competition features ski and snowboard Big Air, Halfpipe and Slopestyle, Ski Cross, Snowboard Cross, Snowboard Parallel Slalom and Parallel Giant Slalom.

Ski and Snowboard Australia performance pathway manager Benjamin Wordsworth said the event provides valuable experience for junior athletes to step up onto the international stage. “I’m really happy with the team we’ve selected, across all the disciplines, I feel we have a strong side who’ll be able to match it with the best in the world,� he said. “This is an important event in our performance pathway as it provides our young athletes the opportunity to compete on the world stage and gauge where they’re at against the top young athletes.

Many of Australia’s top athletes including Scotty James, Alex Pullin and Jarryd Hughes, have represented Australia at the Junior World Championships before going on to represent their country at the Olympic Games, senior World Championships and World Cups.

HIGH FLYER: Falls Creek skier Nick Payne is aiming to continue his dominance of the Storm the Castle event.

PHOTO: Struan Jones

Youngsters learn to fly with Hotham Free Ski

By JUSTIN JENVEY FIVE years ago, former World Cup competitor Martin Rowley started Mount Hotham Free Ski to help young skiers interested in freeriding to make the most of Mt Hotham’s raw natural skiing terrain.

The program aims to provide a learning platform to develop young skiers between the ages of 7 to 17 in all disciplines of freestyle skiing.

Rowley came from a ski racing background and moved into a variety of free style disciplines as a young adult.

Mount Hotham Free Ski has allowed Rowley to share his skiing ability and wealth of knowledge while he’s also called on some of the best free style skiers in the country as coaches.

Coen Bennie-Faull is one of those who has quickly made a name for himself in the growing discipline of Big Mountain.

Bennie-Faull is the reigning champion of the first ever Buller

X Extreme Big Mountain competition which was held at Mt Buller last September.

Big Mountain skiing is basically skiing down a slope in an interesting and fun way, throwing in big airs and tricks over natural and man-made features.

In competition competitors are judged on their line choice, control, fluidity down the course, technique, and style and energy which encompasses creativity.

Having skied at Hotham since a very early age and with his passion for the Big Mountain skiing, Bennie-Faull will again head up Mount Hotham Free Ski’s Big Mountain camp over August 24-26.

Young skiers and snowboarders will then get to show of their skills when Mt Hotham holds the Junior Free Ride on September 15 and 16, an event which will take place for the third time.

It’s one that continues to grow in popularity and is gathering more and more momentum every winter.

BIG AIR: Rex Everett tweaks out a grab after hiking out to Golden Point with fellow Mount Hotham Free Ski athletes and coaches.

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PAGE 18 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — September 2018

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EVENTS CALENDAR MT HOTHAM ‡ $XJXVW +RWKDP %DQNHG 6ODORP DQG $IWHU 3DUW\ - Join the Hotham Boardriders crew in celebrating 30 years with the triumphant return of a Banked Slalom event on Gun Barrel on Heavenly Valley. ‡ $XJXVW 6HSWHPEHU 3KRWRJUDSK\ FOLQLF DQG ZRUNVKRS - Join Mt Hotham Skiing Company’s media manager and photographer Chris Hocking and Nikon pro markets manager Julie Kimpton and learn how to capture some killer shots. ‡ 6HSWHPEHU ² 6HSWHPEHU ),6 $1& VQRZERDUG DQG VNL FURVV ILQDOV - Watch some of the best from Australia, New Zealand and the world compete for the championship title on Hotham’s rider X course. ‡ 6HSWHPEHU 'HFN 3DUW\ - Celebrate spring as Hotham venues collectively throw open the doors to their decks. Plenty of events happening across the resort starting early afternoon and continuing into the night. ‡ 6HSWHPEHU -XQLRU )UHH 5LGH 6HULHV %LJ $LU - The fourth instalment of the five event series. Open to junior skiers and snowboarders of all abilities with age based categories for individuals under the age of 18. ‡ 6HSWHPEHU -XQLRU )UHH 5LGH 6HULHV 6ORSHVW\OH - Final event of the junior series follows the Big Air the previous day. The spring slopestyle will be held on the Hotham Terrain Park. ‡ 6HSWHPEHU ² 6HSWHPEHU *D\ 6NL :HHN - A chance to come and celebrate equality in all that Hotham has to offer. There’ll be pop up DJ parties, trivia nights, group dining, a rainbow run competition and a scavenger hunt. ‡ 6HSWHPEHU ² 6HSWHPEHU &KLFNV ZLWK 6WL[ - A grass-roots event that was founded in 2010 with passionate snow loving chicks coming together for this free ski and board freeride, freestyle and park program. ‡ 6HSWHPEHU 5HWUR 'D\ DQG 6XPPLW 6XQVHW 3DUW\ - Gear up in your fluro ski suits. There will be prizes to be won before the sunset dance party with DJ Eddy at the top of Summit. ‡ 6HSWHPEHU +RWKDP -XQLRU )UHH 5LGH - A junior only event that allows skiers and snowboarders of all abilities to compete in a judged freeride event over natural and manmade features. ‡ 6HSWHPEHU 6SULQJ &XS - This event will test your skills on the slopes and the golf green. Race Hotham’s timed arena on Saturday before golf in Bright on Sunday. ‡ 6HSWHPEHU ² 2FWREHU %ULFNWDVWLF 6FKRRO +ROLGD\V - LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Melbourne is bringing lego fun to Hotham’s ultimate kids’ hub at the Big D where all bricktastic activities will be taking place. ‡ :HHNO\ HYHQWV - Tuesday - Trivia at The General; Wednesday - Harry the Snow Dragon at Big D; Saturday - live music at Chill Bar and The General, The Bird song sessions, Harry the Snow Dragon at Big D; Sunday - Mario Kart at Arco Ski Lodge.

FALLS CREEK ‡ $XJXVW )DOOV &UHHN ,QYLWDWLRQ 1LJKW 6SULQWV Features elite Australian and international skiers at Falls Creek for the Hoppet. Takes place in the Village Bowl at the top of the Gully Chairlift with a series of knockout rounds. ‡ $XJXVW 6HSWHPEHU $YDODQFKH 7UDLQLQJ $XVWUDOLD - Two-day and four-day avalanche awareness and avoidance courses will provide backcountry enthusiasts with practical skills for their off-piste pursuits. ‡ $XJXVW .DQJDURR +RSSHW - Australia’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. ‡ $XJXVW 3HQGO &XS - Giant Slalom night race in memory of one of Falls Creek’s most loved residents, Rudi Pendl who embraced snow, dance, cooking and much more. Memorial drinks after at Frying Pan. ‡ 6HSWHPEHU /LJKW WKH 1LJKW - Join the Falls Creek community for a lantern lighting ceremony and ski down Wombats Ramble to shine hope and fund blood cancer research for the Leukaemia Foundation. ‡ 6HSWHPEHU 6WRUP WKH &DVWOH - The annual contest provides freestyle athletes the opportunity to jump and jib their way to cash prizes or great gear giveaways.

This year the event will feature a slopestyle format.

6HSWHPEHU ‡ 6QRZ 7UHN DQG 7UDYHO 0LQL 6HULHV )RXU - Run by Telemark Nordic Ski Club the event aims to increase junior participation in cross country skiing. Kids aged 2-19 can race over distances from half a kilometre to 2.5km. ‡ 6HSWHPEHU %DQGZDJRQ %DQNHG 6ODORP - An event not for the faint hearted expect berms, jumps, bumps and spills galore when racers come together on a secretly built course in a secret location. ‡ 6HSWHPEHU ² 6HSWHPEHU *D\ 6NL :HHN - A celebration of the LGBT community sees daily events, après and social skiing and boarding as part of a packed programme.

Come for the snow and come back for the friendships. ‡ 6HSWHPEHU 6XPPLW 0DVWHUV - Tradition and true roots return to The Summit. The double decker event will run over two solid days with a tasty night giant slalom sandwiched in between. ‡ 6HSWHPEHU )DOOV )UHHVW\OH 6HULHV 7KH 'UHDPHU - The last leg of this series will be contested on the medium line in Panorama Terrain Park.

A jam style format with heaps of gear and prizes up for grabs. Â&#x2021; 6HSWHPEHU ² 6HSWHPEHU 0RXQWDLQ <RJD DQG 6QRZ 5HWUHDW - This retreat offers you some time and tools to connect with your body and with nature in a stunning setting. Two days of yoga, meditation, snow play and hearty, delicious food. Â&#x2021; 2FWREHU 0F.D\RV (QGXUR - Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only mass start, snow dirt road enduro takes riders 23 kilometres from the top of Mt McKay to the finish line in Bogong Village, a total descent of 1750 metres.

WORTH A VISIT: The Falls Creek Museum is one place worth a visit if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re visiting the resort either in winter or summer.

PHOTO: Struan Jones

A step back in time

By STRUAN JONES

IN the Panabode building at Falls Creek by the Halleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Comet chairlift, the Falls Creek Museum has amassed a significant collection of artefacts covering 71 years of history.

Originally set up in a neighbouring building, the Falls Creek Historical Society was forced to box up countless historical articles when the space became untenable.

But when room in the Panabode building became available the historical society jumped at the chance to relocate.

Working bees were organised, builders donated their time, and the museum reopened in 2015.

Since then more artefacts and photographs have found their way to the museum.

Karen Smythe coordinates six volunteers who staff the museum between 11am and 3pm every day throughout winter. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we got established the community saw we were serious about preserving history, and people started donating goods, memorabilia and skis,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were very lucky and things keep coming out of rooftops, sheds and lodges.â&#x20AC;?

Ms Smythe believes the older

generation have recently become more history-conscious, realising that the 1970s and 1980s are now 40 years ago, and more people are passing on stories from that period. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a little more laissezfaire then and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of stories we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tell now,â&#x20AC;? Ms Smythe said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been fun to listen to but difficult to portray, because a lot of it is in peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s memories. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just the way it was, people came here for the freedom. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our marketing material from that era was â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ski all day, party all nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, that has slowly changed to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ski all day, party at nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, and now the party has left the message, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a family resort now.â&#x20AC;?

One of the most prized artefacts the museum keeps is an original chair from the first 1957 ski lift, recovered from a farm in the Kiewa Valley. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Kids come in here and they just canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe that people sat on that, so far above the ground,â&#x20AC;? Ms Smythe said.

Other items include pairs of original ski boots, early ski patrol jackets, and countless old photographs.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have lots of small things in here that make up the big story,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Also in the possession of the museum are the diaries of Falls Creekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;First Ladyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Skippy St Elmo, who recorded and photographed her time on the mountain between the early 1940s and 1962, and whose husband helped build the first lodge in 1948.

The diaries will be published by the end of the year, providing an intimate account of life in the earliest days of the Falls Creek village.

The museum is expanding beyond its small space, and in collaboration with Falls Creek Resort Management, is developing a ten-stop Arts and Heritage Trail through the village.

Ms Smythe said she volunteers in the museum at least once a week. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I like to come in and talk to people, listen to their stories â&#x20AC;&#x201C; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when you hear the good stuff,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When people start with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;You know, my grandfather wasâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when I know we need to talk to that person and record an interview. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to lose their stories.â&#x20AC;?

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — September 2018 — PAGE 19

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PAGE 20 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — September 2018

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