Mt Hotham Falls Creek News

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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PAGE 2 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — July 2018

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HOME SWEET HOME: Winter Olympian Greta Small was back at Mt Hotham, for the opening weekend of the season, where she’ll also spend much of July.

Small sets big goals for title tilt COMING off her second Winter Olympic campaign, Greta Small is back in Australia, and injury free for the first time in three years.

The 22 year-old alpine skier who battled her way back from two serious knee injuries to qualify for February’s PyeongChang Games, will now spend July training at Mt Hotham.

Although her preseason is already well underway, Small told the Mt Hotham Falls Creek News when recently training at the Australian Institute of Sport, that she’d been able to enjoy some time off at home

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“After travelling and living in one bedroom apartments in Europe it’s so nice to go home,” she said.

“It’s such a beautiful part of the world and with the river in the backyard it’s just nice to relax and do nothing.”

Small said she’d had time to reflect on her second Winter Olympics where she competed in all five alpine disciplines and secured Australia’s best ever women’s results in downhill with a 20th place finish.

“Coming off my second serious knee injury, to recover from that, qualify for the games and then compete at the same place where I

JUNE ISSUE, 2018

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inside

P2 SNOW IS HERE Falls in late May set up for a white start to the season

$9 MILLION BOOST P7 Skier and snowboarder waittimes less with Eagle chairlift

NEW FALLS DINING P8 A whole spread of new dining experience await on mountain

index Falls Creek events New take on glamping

P9 P14

BUMPER DUMPER: Hannah Beard and Drew Jolowitz were two of the first people to strap on their skis at Mt Hotham this year when a midMay cold snap dropped almost 30 centimetres of snow at the resort. PHOTO: Chris Hocking

Let it snow, let it snow

AFTER one of the best winters in almost two decades last year, encouraging snowfalls throughout autumn have done nothing but build optimism for another bumper ski season.

Whether another record setting season happens we’ll obviously have to wait and see but more immediately signs for the first weekend of the season look positive with snow a chance to be on the ground.

Before the 2018 winter even officially launches a new $4 million accommodation facility at Howman’s Gap, not far from Falls Creek, will open its doors for the first time.

The new centre will allow even people with disabilities to experience the snow.

In terms of skiing and snowboarding at Falls Creek, those enjoying the slopes can expect less of a wait and a faster commute via the Eagle chairlift this winter, after a $9 million upgrade over summer.

Youngsters learning to ski at the resort will also have even more fun with the Snowsports School again linking up with children’s entertainment company Nickelodeon.

Over at Mt Hotham there’s a new bus service catering for the resort and Dinner Plain.

Alpine Spirit Coaches has been running people up and down the hill for years via their Snowball Express service but this season they’ll operate all buses on the mountain.

With a modern, spacious and wheelchair-accessible fleet, locals and guests will be able to ride in more comfort and even hail a bus at anytime, from anywhere.

Glamping is also new at Mt Hotham with Alpine Nature Experience offering a unique overnight stay in the snow.

Both Falls Creek and Mt Hotham have seen plenty of change in their food and beverage offering.

Iconic restaurants, Maggie’s and Dicky Knees have new operators as do Cloud 9 and Frying Pan. Maggie’s will now be an Asian fusion café and Dicky Knees will be serving Mexican cuisine, while Cloud 9 is now an upmarket bistro and Frying Pan a barbecue shack and brewery.

A cocktail bar and lounge and casual eatery called Miss Mary’s is new to Mt Hotham along with Frankie, a small dining space with big offerings upstairs at Big D. They’re just some of the things you can expect to experience at both resorts this winter.

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had my injury was definitely one crazy year,” she said.

“I was so proud of my downhill result and now I’m looking forward to the next four years and building on that with some strong training and coaching.”

Small made some changes at season’s end and is now working under one of the coaches who previously helped guide American champion Lindsay Vonn.

Already this preseason she has been to California for a two-week training camp and either side of that, has been at the AIS working on her strength and conditioning.

“At the end of the season I decided I needed a fresh start ahead of the next pe-

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riod in my career and the World Championships next year,” Small said.

“With the goals I’ve set, I made some changes which I hope will help get me to the next level - achieving World Cup medals.”

Small plans to race the Australia and New Zealand Cup at Mt Hotham this July after missing the event in recent years and is also keen to enjoy some turns away from practice.

“This is the time of year I do have a little bit more freedom to have fun with my skiing so if it’s a powder day I get a chance to go out with my friends,” she said.

“Once you’re over in Europe it’s all racing.”

NEXT EDITION: August 2018 Booking deadline: July 12, 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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Telephone: (03) 5723 0100 YOUR NEWS: Contributed articles, news, artwork and color photographs from readers are most welcome.

Please mail to: Mt Hotham/Falls Creek News, 76 Standish St Myrtleford Vic 3737 or telephone: (03) 5752 1058. or email jjenvey@nemedia.com.au

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By JUSTIN JENVEY

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

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — July 2018 — PAGE 3

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PAGE 4 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — July 2018

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Family Fun MT HOTHAM will become even more fun for kids in the holidays with the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre coming on board to create a ‘bricktastic’ series of events.

The free activities will be open to children and parents throughout the July and September school holidays.

Children and parents young at heart will be able to participate in a number of free activities offered exclusively to visitors of Hotham.

There will be a family build challenge using LEGOLAND Discovery Centre brick tables as well as a story time event for toddlers every Tuesday of the holidays.

LEGOLAND’s own mascot, Bertie, will also join Hotham’s mascot, Harry the Snow Dragon for birthday celebrations on Wednesday July 4 from 4pm.

LEGOLAND general manager Dave Boyd said aligning themselves with an iconic winter destination like Mt Hotham created a fantastic opportunity to take their world of creativity from Melbourne to the snow.

Mt Hotham Skiing Company general manager Belinda Trembath was equally as excited.

“We’re absolutely delighted to partner with the first LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Australia,” she said.

“What better way to entertain our younger guests when they’re not on the ski slopes, than by immersing themselves in the inventiveness and fun that playing with lego brings.”

The series of events will all take place at the Big D kids’ hub with other provide popular options including exclusively themed colouring sheets and daily Crayola prize packs also available.

The school holidays run from June 30 to July 15 and September 22 to October 7.

BOYS AND THEIR TOYS: Jesse Ruming is in his fifth season as a snow groomer at Mt Hotham.

Creatures of the night

JUSTIN JENVEY THEY’RE the snow gods responsibly for preparing the mountain at the start of the season and having it packed and flat every day after.

The life of a snow groomer isn’t a glamorous one - they work at night and sleep during the day when everyone else is out enjoying the snow they’ve worked hard to fix.

Jesse Ruming is a grooming supervisor at Mt Hotham and is part of a 10-man team tasked with building runs, opening new terrain and making sure it’s safe.

“Grooming’s very important, at the end of the day the mountain

can’t open without it,” he said.

“We go out and make the snow nice and flat and if it’s a slim season and snow has to be brought in or moved from the top of the hill to bottom where it hasn’t fallen than you need snowcats to push it there.

“Sometimes we’re out all night until the sun comes up, but we love it and do it because we want to see people have fun.”

Ruming learnt the craft in Canada where he first drove a Zamboni (an ice resurfacer), before deciding he’d rather operate a snowcat.

Despite spending two years as a groomer at Big White, Ruming said coming to Mt Hotham in 2014 offered a whole new learning experience.

“I had no idea when I got here, grooming at Big White was challenging because it’s very rocky, but it also gets a lot of snow,” he said.

“Coming to Hotham where there isn’t the same amount of snow you have to be completely different with how you groom.

“We might open a run on 10cm of snow whereas overseas resorts won’t open on less than a metre.

“You find Australian groomers are really good because they can work with what they’ve got.”

Mt Hotham has seven front-line Kassbohrer snowcats that flatten the slopes and leave the corduroy.

They also have snowcats used for grunt work, like pushing snow,

moving snow guns or digging out buried lifts.

Grooming Tours throughout the season offer people a unique snow experience, and are available every day except Friday and Sunday.

Ruming said, taking a tour was worth doing not just for the spectacular sunsets.

“Some people don’t know what a groomer is when they come to a ski resort, I know when I was a kid I just thought the corduroy formed when the snow fell overnight,” he said.

“Driving up the hill gives you a different perspective that you don’t get riding down it or notice on a chairlift.”

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — July 2018 — PAGE 5

PAGE 6 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — July 2018

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BRICKTASTIC SCHOOL HOLIDAYS AT HOTHAM LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre is bringing LEGO® fun from the city to Hotham these school holidays. Jump in to let your imagination run wild with LEGO® building, special activities and the chance to meet Bertie the minifugre mascot. hotham.com.au

FREE FAMILY FUN

4 – 17 July Visit our website for the daily program of Hotham activities.

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — July 2018 — PAGE 7

Easier & Safer way to Stay Dry

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Safety is snow joke WINTER is well and truly underway and Victoria Police are once again asking those travelling to the Alps to keep themselves safe.

General duties police with the help of the Operations Response Unit will have a seven day a week presence at Mt Hotham and Falls Creek for the duration of the season.

Assistant Commissioner Rick Nugent said police will be focused on the key issues they see every year at the snow.

“Generally everyone who visits the snow is well behaved and we don’t have too many issues. However, each year we do see a small number of thefts, car accidents, missing people and rescues,” he said.

“A lot of these things are avoidable and we ask the community to look after their safety while they are enjoying the snow.

“The best advice police can give is to be prepared for your trip.

“Planning and preparation are the keys to having a safe and enjoyable alpine experience.”

Here are our tips for having a safe trip to the snow: · When it comes to road safety travelling on alpine roads in winter can be dangerous, unless special driving techniques are used. Driving on roads with snow and/or ice cover not only requires concentration and adept driving skills, but also a lot of patience. · There are a number of common sense measures you can take to reduce theft of your property such as knowing where your skis/board are all times, keeping them secure and keeping valuables out of sight. · There may be occasions where we will not be able to rescue or search for those who are injured or lost due to environmental conditions. It is imperative that those attending snow environments, whether in resorts or outside the resorts prepare appropriately and understand the conditions and environment. Be aware that conditions can and will change quickly. · To prevent an emergency search and rescue situation plan your trip carefully, let someone know where you are going and how long you’ll be, wear appropriate wind and waterproof clothing, take care of and check your equipment before skiing or boarding, regularly check weather and snow conditions and if lost – stop, seek shelter and wait. If going outside the boundaries of the resorts, consider the risks associated with avalanches, in particular after heavy snow falls.

You can visit the Victoria Police website for further advice and to download a trip intentions form.

This form should be filled out and left with a reliable friend, family member or responsible authority.

Assistant Commissioner Nugent also said people need to make sure they enjoy themselves responsibly after a long day of snow activities “It’s important in this environment that you have your wits about you so drink responsibly,” he said.

“Police will be working with local licensees and doing spot checks at pubs and bars.”

If you need emergency assistance while you’re on the mountain call Triple Zero (000).

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IN THE MIX: Ella Jackson is just one of Australia’s cross country skiers who will train at Falls Creek this winter.

National team skiers return to home base

By STRUAN JONES

AUSTRALIA’S best cross-country skiers will converge on Falls Creek in the last week of June, for their annual National Team Training Camp.

The camp marks the start of the Australian ski season, and is an opportunity for the athletes to meet with fellow teammates and coaches, to train together and discuss the season ahead.

For many, it will be the first time back on snow since a busy and successful northern winter – which included the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games in South Korea.

Senior member of the team Mark Pollock says that it’s a great time to meet everyone again after a period of reduced training.

“Everyone’s refreshed, people are keen for the Australian season ahead, and the camp is an opportunity to measure your training and ability against other members of the team,” he said.

An eclectic mix of about 10 cross-country skiers from Victoria and NSW make up the national team.

The athletes manage their own training on top of their work or study commitments, and will often travel overseas together and meet at races at home and abroad.

For many, Falls Creek will be their home for the next few months, to get as much time on snow as possible before heading to Europe for a big 2018/19 season which will culminate in the Skiing World Championships in Austria.

The June camp involves a tough week of training, including gym sessions and daily skis

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Australian head coach Valerio Leccardi will also work with the skiers with video analysis and feedback.

Pollock admits that while cross-country skiing is an individual sport it still involves a big team aspect.

“You train a lot by yourself and you compete by yourself , but there is still strong camaraderie between the teammates,” he said.

“When you’re all competing in an event and your teammates perform well, it really lifts you, it lifts the team.”

For Ella Jackson, 20, this will be her first June camp as part of the senior team.

She’s looking forward to training alongside Olympians.

“You can’t do it by yourself in skiing,” she said.

“When you race you’re representing all the people that have helped you get there. I don’t feel pressure, I feel supported.”

Selection to the national team is competitive.

Along with solid race results, talented skiers must prove to the coaches and senior members they are committed to the sport and their own improvement - and the success of the whole team.

If they meet those high standards, young skiers will be formally invited to join the team.

They all agree that the best part of the Aussie winter is being where they’re most comfortable.

“It’s just fun, training and racing with friends at home is amazing,” Pollock said.

“You share something special with everyone out there on the mountain.”

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DANGEROUS: Police are warning people to take care at Alpine resorts after two men were taken to hospital when their car slipped off the road at Mt Hotham on the Monday following opening weekend.

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PAGE 8 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — July 2018

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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

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — July 2018 — PAGE 9

HIGH SPEED: Plenty of snow will make for great racing conditions at Falls Creek over the coming weeks.

PHOTO: Charlie Brown

Women rule at Mt Hotham THERE has been a rise in female-only skills clinics over the past few years and it does not look to be slowing down anytime soon.

This year at Mt Hotham, the mountain will be offering a number of ski and snowboard clinics that will be exclusive to the resort’s female guests.

Mt Hotham Skiing Company general manager Belinda Trembath said Mt Hotham appreciates the culture that goes with a femaleonly skills clinic. “Women learn differently from men and there is something about the comradery that occurs when you get a group of like-minded females together in an often male-dominated sport,� she said.

This winter Hotham will be host to four separate female-only clinics.

A women’s five-day Ski Week program will take place from Monday, July 23 to Friday,

July 27 while a women’s three-day Ski Week package will have the same start but finish on Wednesday, July 25.

Both clinics include daily five-hr instruction, video analysis, massage treatments and après events.

Women’s Snowboard Shred Weekend will immediately follow the two on Saturday, July 28 to Sunday, July 29.

Hosted by Hotham’s top female snowboard instructors from around the world, the weekend is all about having a good time out on the slopes with a group of like-minded females.

It also includes daily five-hour instruction, video analysis and après events.

Late in the season the free Chicks with Stix program with two-time Winter Olympian Katya Crema, will be held for the second time after a hugely successful launch in 2017.

WEEKEND GRIND: The first of Mt Hotham’s junior freeride events for 2018 will be the Rail Jam on July 7. The Hotham Freeride Series is designed as a ‘grass roots’ pathway, with five events open to junior skiers and snowboarders of all abilities.

There will be several age based categories for individuals under the age of 18 with a presentation for the winners. The second rail event for the junior calendar will be held later in July and will be followed by big air and slopestyle contests.

Full speed at Falls

By JUSTIN JENVEY

JULY is race month at Falls Creek and once again there is a packed schedule of events.

Opening proceedings is the Snowracer Series with two days of action on July 7 and July 8 and then the Rossignol Cup and Cranky Charlie Cup the following weekend.

The South Australian Interschool Snowsport Championships (July 15-20) are next on the calendar before the hugely popular Wombats Rambler Night Race caps off a big month.

Falls Creek race and events supervisor Travis Reid said there’s racing for young kids, teenagers and adults. “The Snowracer Series is a three race series which is contested on Nastar racecourse, suitable for intermediate-advanced skiers and snowboarders aged 5 to 18 years,� he said. “There are usually 80-100 kids that compete in those races, with a lot of them ones from the Falls Creek Race Club. “The first of those races will be the first race for most the kids this season so it’s a good way to kick things off. “The Rossignol Cup is the last of those

three which takes place on an extended course, and is on the same day as the Cranky Charlie Cup for adults.�

Mr Reid said Falls Creek will welcome back South Australian primary and secondary students for the third year. “The SA Interschool Snowsport Championships is getting bigger every year, I think we’re expecting about 150-160 entrants this winter,� he said. “Those kids come over for the week and have a couple of days of training and then race on the Wednesday and Thursday.�

The biggest event for the month though, is the Wombats Rambler Night Race on July 27.

The race is now capped at 120 competitors and is popular viewing for locals and guests. “We were astonished with how popular the race was in its first year in 2015,� Mr Tait said. “We started off with 160 entries but it was just too long a night so we had to put a limit on it. “It’s a different style of racing and is very much a race for the adults for bragging rights. “There’s live timing broadcast in Stingray in QT so if you’re not on the finish line watching a lot of people are enjoying a beverage and watching the live timing on the screens.�

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PAGE 10 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — July 2018

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Alpine Specialists Head Office

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — July 2018 — PAGE 11

GREAT OUTDOORS: Summer visitors to Fall Creek can now enjoy guided or signposted walks to take in environmental and cultural aspects of the High Country.

PHOTO: Roz Bradley

Historical society adds to Alps offering A GRANT of almost $10,000 from the Victorian Government will enable the Falls Creek Historical Society to make experiencing the High Country even more accessible to visitors.

In collaboration with Falls Creek Resort Management Board and the local environmental group, the historical society plans to create a series of arts, heritage and environment walks to different areas of Falls Creek and the High Plains.

Falls Creek Historical Society president

Karen Smythe said that she felt the organisation had come up with an idea that would create new opportunities for tourism and education.

“We have 14 or 15 destinations in mind which cover art instillations, environmental areas such as bogs and other habitats, heritage areas and historic sites,” she said.

“Our aim is partly to create a new attraction for summer visitors, but it will also be an alternative activity in winter for those visitors not interested in snow sports.”

The walks will be accessible through the Falls Creek User Guide, a digital platform

Bill Tilley says deer and not brumbies the biggest threat BILL Tilley (MLA, Benambra) has told the Victorian Parliament that deer and not brumbies are the biggest threat to the alps.

This comes in the wake of Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio releasing her plan for feral horses that will see the brumby population on the Bogong Plains, near Falls Creek, most likely shot and buried on site.

The minister believes there are about 100 brumbies on the high plains, perhaps 2000 further to the east and closer to NSW. The deer population in

these regions is estimated at about 700,000.

Mr Tilley told the Victorian Parliament that had the minister ever visited the Bogong High Plains or Falls Creek then she would know that feral horses are not the problem.

“The minister will tell you it is terrible – there are 100 brumbies close to Falls Creek – locals will tell you there’s a black stallion with a mob of 20,” Mr Tilley said.

“But locals will also tell you that deer numbers are out of control … conservatively 700,000 in the high country alone.”

Mr Tilley said experienced high country horsemen can no longer find the brumbies on the high plains but deer were running rampant.

“An upper Kiewa Valley farmer showed me night vision of his paddocks that back onto the national park on just one night in May… there were 177 deer on the place,” he said.

“It is deer who are the real threat…deer are turning the moss beds into wallows; deer are posing a threat to motorists; deer are removing the bark from the snow gums.”

already in use to help visitors know what activities are available at the resort.

In partnership with Diana Alpine Lodge and Ken Bell, and funded by Tourism North East, the historical society has already launched a summer walks project.

It’s called ‘Tales, Trails and Tucker’, and involves three-hour guided picnic walks to Wallace’s and Cope Huts and back to Falls Creek.

“These walks will be starting again in November, and we are planning on a spring launch for the arts, heritage and environment walks,” Ms Smythe said.

The latest funding is part of $350,000 worth of grants allocated to local history organisations across Victoria.

The funding is part of the annual Local History Grants Program which provides small grants to community organisations to support projects that preserve, record or publish Victorian local history.

Victoria’s diverse history is a real drawcard for visitors, with 6.8 million people visiting a museum, gallery, heritage site or monument in the year ending December 2017 – up by 27.2 per cent since the year of 2014.

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PAGE 12 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — July 2018

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Visit the newest boutique store, you won’t want to leave!

HOME MOUNTAIN: Scott Sanderson is excited to be back in familiar surrounds at Falls Creek. ͻ ͻ ͻ ͻ ͻ ͻ

/HighCountryDesigners

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18 Holland Street, Mount Beauty Monday to Friday 10am-4pm & Saturdays 10am-2pm

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 qualified Rural Medical Practitioners

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Creek Centre

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

Scott returns for new role at Falls

By JUSTIN JENVEY

IT’S been a homecoming of sorts for new Falls Creek Snowsports Director Scott Sanderson.

After more than a decade at Mt Hotham the 40 year-old is back at the mountain where he started out.

He replaces Titus Gius who coincidentally was Sanderson’s ski coach on his first overseas training camp at age 13.

“I’m from Myrtleford and with the Myrtleford Ski Club having a lodge at Falls Creek it made it possible for me to ski more consistently growing up,” Sanderson said.

“I pretty much played footy until the start of the July school holidays every year and would then switch out and start skiing.”

“I came through the Falls Creek Race Club and started as an instructor with the ski school.”

Along with a number of seasons in Austria, Sanderson was head coach of the Falls Creek Race Club and in 2004 left the mountain to become the race and events manager at Mt Hotham.

He’s also had director roles with ski schools in Hakuba and Niseko in Japan, and is still involved with Ski and Snowboard Australia (SSA) on a volunteer level, having previously worked with the national team during the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games period.

Now back at Falls Creek, Sanderson will

oversee all snowsport related areas including the ski and snowboard school, race club, the race and events department and terrain parks.

Sanderson said he is looking forward to building on the work of his predecessors.

“We have an incredibly strong and experienced leadership team across our snowsport programs and with my 13 years as an events and race manager at Mt Hotham I hope to be able provide a bit more impetus with our race and events calendar,” he said.

This year Falls Creek will host its first International Ski Federation (FIS) events since before Sanderson departed for Mt Hotham.

“I hope with my involvement with SSA and also as a FIS technical delegate I can help relaunch some of the high level and world class events Falls Creek use to attract,” he said.

“There are two FIS slalom races and two Continental Cup ski races happening in the middle of August.

This season Falls Creek will also hold the first SSA Futures Camp for slopestyle.

“Falls Creek was pretty much the inaugural home of terrain parks and slopestyle events so we’re thrilled to have SSA bring that camp here,” Sanderson said.

“That will also be in the middle of August and will culminate in a slopestyle event.

“That’s one of my passions and target areas, to try and grow our snowsports programs and events through a pathway through to national level, across all disciplines.”

Laser Skirmish back bigger and better

BY TATE SPITERI ALPINE Laser at Dinner Plain has upped its game this winter.

The only snow laser tag game of its kind in Australia, was mostly only open on weekends last year.

However, owner Jake Greaves is now giving those at the snow, the chance to play anytime, as they are now operating seven days at a week.

“It’s a fair jump for us but we’ve had that year to get our name out and set up

an online booking system,” he said.

The outdoor field is set up with tyres and fort’s and can be altered to suit the varying needs of participants.

Groups can be as few as four people, up to 25 plus while games can last 15 minutes to three hours.

There is a mini-field for kids and families with minimal running while there is also a large bush field.

“The more snow we get the more fun we make it,” Mr Greaves said.

“You can get down, you can crawl, you can get right into it.

“Where the forts are we build little tunnels in and out of them so once the snow comes it adds an even cooler aspect.

“The beauty of it is, it’s not a snow dependant game so no matter what we’re good to play and because the lasers are weather resistant you can play in any conditions.”

For more information visit http://howlinghuskys.com. au/winter-laser/.

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — July 2018 — PAGE 13

WHITE SPACE Victoria’s highest resort provides a natural place to disconnect from the everyday with space to breathe. As you lose the crowds and take in the panoramic views, you’ll realise our white space is truly energising. What can we say, Mother Nature has good taste. hotham.com.au

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PAGE 14 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — July 2018

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — July 2018 — PAGE 15

PAGE 16 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — July 2018

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