AUGUST ISSUE, 2016
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3 DOGGONE Resorts have gone to the dogs
ONTHE BOARDS Teen on the world stage
7
TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE: If you want to get off–piste do it with people who know the terrain beyond the boundaries. It’s safer and guaranteed to deliver a better experience like this visitor taking to the chutes on Mt McKay. PHOTO: Steve Lee
It’s a bumper dumper
AUSSIE TITLES Battle of biathlon’s best
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index Learning to ski is fun
2
Aussie chance in Hoppet 11 Crafty new venture
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IT’S been a bumper school holidays for the resorts. Both Falls Creek and Mount Hotham are talking up visitor numbers both from last year and on long-year averages. This month’s edition points to more of the same. The hugely popular sled dog races in the village at Falls Creek and at the village in Dinner Plain go from strength to strength. More than 80 mushers and in excess of 350 sled dogs are expected to compete at Dinner Plain alone.
The Kangaroo Hoppet is back for the cross-country fraternity with Mt Beauty’s Phil Bellingham expected to be among the favourites when more than 1000 people take to the start line in the Falls Creek Nordic Bowl at the end of the month. Meanwhile Hotham’s Whiskey Flat will be the base for the biathlon national titles mid-month. The sled dogs are just one example of the increasing number of attractions at the resorts that don’t necessarily require a lift ticket but complement
the visitor’s day on the snow. It was with this in mind that this month we talked to an expert fat biker – curious pedal-powered machines that are at home on the snow, Steve Lee and his backcountry ski tours and craft beer’s Blizzard Brewing at Dinner Plain. We also re-visited some of our favourite haunts in The General and Big D kids ski school at Mt Hotham. Falls Creek Resort Management’s Jo Prothero said the resorts were building their brands. “Falls Creek visitation is up 51 per
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cent compared to 2015 season and 28 per cent on the 10 year average,” she said. “The school holiday period extended over a four-week period across all states, versus two weeks in 2015, which has benefited all visitors and resort operators. “But we are also working on activities in the resorts that add value to the lift ticket experience and increasingly people are taking advantage of a greater diversity in what the mountains have to offer.”
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PAGE 2 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2016
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When your backflip goes viral IT was the backflip that went viral. More than 643,000 people clicked on the photo of Bailey Johnson, 16, as he soared across a snow covered Great Alpine Road about this time last year. “It blew all our minds at how many people were sharing the photo and commenting on it�, Johnson said. “I was really proud of the jump and landing it so smoothly, but I didn’t expect there to be so much interest in it.� Johnson joins local legend Peter Zirknitzer among the very few to jump the road gap. Zirky, as he is known to locals, used to jump the gap daily on skis on his way to lessons when he was an instructor. A photo captured of it on display in the family owned hotel at Hotham since 1980s. “I’ve grown up skiing at Hotham and always admired the photo of Zirky jumping the gap. I never thought that my photo would become more iconic, but that’s the power of social media I guess�, Johnson said. Since the photo went viral on the internet, Bailey has been finishing his year 12 school studies at Yarra Valley Grammar and ironically recovering from a knee injury he sustained while skiing in the US this northern hemisphere winter. Johnson will be back skiing at Mt Hotham this winter. “I think I’ll leave the big tricks to freestyle competitions where I don’t have to worry about getting into any trouble�, he said.
HERE TO HELP: The Hotham Kids Ski and Ride school instructor Maddy Lewis on the job at the Big D last week.
Learning to ski can be fun for all By JUSTIN JENVEY
Hotham Kids Ski and Ride School manager Amanda Brown says there is no better place for kids to learn how to ski. “Our main thing is of course safety first and then learning but really what we try to do is instil the fun of skiing into kids,� Ms Brown said. “Our group lessons cater for 3-14 year olds, our Mighty Mites program is for skiing only and that’s 3-5 year olds and then our Kids Club is 6-14 years for skiing and 7-14 years for snowboarding. “We also have a day care and in our day care program we have a ski program, so we also teach two year olds and run private lessons for them.
AWAY from the hustle and bustle of Mt Hotham’s main slopes sits the Big D, a place where kids have fun learning how to ski. The Hotham Kids Ski and Ride School situated next to the Big D chairlift features a huge variety of lessons, programs, activities and of course snowplay. Children from as young as three can participate in group snowsports lessons. The Hotham Kids Ski and Ride School is staffed by a range of qualified instructors that are dedicated to ensuring your kids have a great time.
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GREAT OPENING 2 Snow provides resorts with best start to season in years
-9 452. 4OM #OSTA GETS IN SOME TRAINING AT &ALLS #REEK LAST MONTH AHEAD OF TAKING ON SOME OF THE WORLD S BEST FREESKIERS THIS MONTH 0(/4/ #HRIS (OCKING
Extreme dream for Aussie skier By JEFF ZEUSCHNER JZEUSCHNER
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YOU don’t get much more extreme than this. Flown in by helicopter to the peak of a remote mountain, with kilometres of vertical, untracked descent, competing against some of the world’s best. It’s the kind of challenge Falls Creek skier Tom Costa has dreamed of, and will make a reality at the end of this month. The former World Cup mogulist will carry the hopes of his nation, again, in the World Heli Challenge in New Zealand.
Some 60 of the best skiers and snowboarders from around the world will battle it out - all trying to pick the best line amid unforgiving back country terrain deep in the South Island’s wilderness. “I have wanted to give this type of event a crack for years and this year with the help of my sponsors, Central Snowsports and Deep Powder Tours, I am making it happen,� Costa said. Born and raised at the base of Falls Creek, in Mt Beauty, Costa and his three brothers learnt to ski young - and fast. Adrian and Paul Costa represented Australia at the Winter Olympic Games
and Tom also competed for his country in freestyle on the World Cup circuit, and at two world championships. “I guess this freeskiing is just a natural progression,� the 32 year old said. “I’ve had the opportunity to ski around the world and be exposed to some pretty extreme terrain..and I just love the challenge.� But this is his first event. “It’s hard to say how I will fare, but I am definitely very excited about representing my home resort of Falls Creek, and you can bet I will be giving it my very best shot,� he said.
“Obviously this sort of event is not easy to train for, especially in Australia, but the plan is to do as much backcountry skiing as possible and try to get comfortable in the big mountain arena. “Weather permitting, I hope to spend some time on Mt McKay with local skiing legend Steve Lee on his new backcountry tours.� Peaks with 50 degree pitches, 80 to 100 foot drops, open bowls, deep snow and rocky chutes will test every ounce of Costa’s skill and endurance. Crashes and injuries are inherent risk. CONTINUED PAGE 12
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we have those busy 400 kid days it’s like clockwork. “The best thing is we pretty much have the whole of Big D to use, we have the magic carpets for the beginners and also the dragon wagons which take the kids a bit higher up the hill. “We have a lot of kids that return on school holidays and weekends because they love it and want to keep coming back.� Ms Brown who has been a part of the ski school for 25 year says it isn’t just the kids who have all the fun. “Kids make us laugh every day, that’s the best part of the job.�
NEXT EDITION: September 2016 Booking deadline: August 11, 2016 GROUP EDITOR: Jeff Zeuschner ADVERTISING: Julie Luxford EDITORIAL: Brad Worrall ADVERTISING SALES EMAIL: jluxford@nemedia.com.au Telephone 0429 140 557 EDITORIAL EMAIL: edit.alptimes@nemedia.com.au Published by Hartley Higgins for North East Media Pty Ltd at the registered office, 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta, 3677. Printed web offset by North East Media Pty Ltd, 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta, 3677. PRODUCTION: North East Media P/L, 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta, 3677. Telephone: (03) 5723 0100 Fax: (03) 5721 9447 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. Fax (03) 5752 2627. or email edit.alptimes@nemedia.com.au
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“There’s also a wrigglets program up at Hotham Central where 3-6 year olds can learn to snowboard too and they are private lessons as well.� Not surprisingly the school holidays are the busiest time of the year for the Kids Ski and Ride School. The most recent holidays saw an average of 400 kids participate in group lessons on a daily basis. “It’s surprising how smooth everything runs and you sometimes look back and wonder how,� Ms Brown said. “Our systems are more refined than they used to be so even when
Photos courtesy of Mt Hotham Ski Company & Falls Creek Resort Management.
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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2016 — PAGE 3
Sled dog racing through the Falls Creek village excites the crowds
Canine cruising under the stars By BRAD WORRALL HIKE! That’s go in sled dog talk and this month is definitely going to the dogs with huge events in the mountains this month. While the Dinner Plain Altitude 5000 event has been a staple on the calendar since the early 1990s the village run at Falls Creek is a relative newcomer. Tamara Murphy, who trains her dogs – sic Siberian Huskies and two Malamutes, in the pine forests in the Ovens Valley, is astounded at the crowds they attract at Falls. “It’s the only night event on our racing calendar so that has its own unique challenges with vision and weather,” she said. “But it is very special on the Saturday night with the race through the village – people are on the balconies, on the streets and at the start and finish, it’s massive. “At Dinner Plain you’re using the cross country trails and there is a lot more space and it’s much flatter.” Murphy caught the racing bug from her father. “We had bred the dogs for about 20 years and started going to the snow just for fun rather than the racing,” she said. “I guess I was about 10 when I got a scooter and started running with the dogs, Dad started racing and eventually I caught the bug. “The first show race at Falls Creek was my first real competitive event and it has snowballed since.” Murphy says the dogs love it. “They have to want to race, you can’t teach that,” she said. “We do it for the love of the sport, the love of the dogs and they too are doing what they love. “Ideally we would have been out training three or four times a week but this winter has been pretty wet and that hasn’t helped the dogs or my fitness. “We don’t just go along for the ride – most of the time we are running with them, through the soft snow that’s tough and especially when you are wearing footy boots which are the only things that can get that grip.” The Falls Creek Sled Dog weekend is on August 6 to 8.
MUSH NOT SLUSH: Tamara Murphy says the Falls Creek race attracts massive crowds on the Saturday night.
PHOTO: Chris Hocking
Dinner Plain challenge attracts 80 mushers By BRAD WORRALL
CHALLENGING: Dinner Plain sled dog challenge is now an international event.
FROM humble beginnings more than two decades ago the Dinner Plain Sled Dog Challenge is now an institution. More than 80 mushers and in excess of 350 sled dogs are expected to compete in this year’s races – some crossing the Tasman in what is now an international event. It is a long way from the 14 teams that raced in that first event way back in 1994. Sue Simmons and Robert Stevens have been instrumental
in the sports development in Australia, instigating and organising the Dinner Plain Sled Dog Challenge 23 years ago. “It’s tremendous to see how the sport’s profile has increased here in Australia,” Simmons said. “In 1994 there were only 14 competitors on snow. With the addition of the Touring Class event, larger teams of six dogs and now the permanent inclusion of a thrilling eight-dog class there is a lot more challenge and excitement generating an ever increasing number of participants.
“Last year was fairly stable with 83 individual sled dog teams however this year we have experienced a much greater interest and therefore expect numbers to be up on previous years.” The weekend’s main racing activities will feature classes for two, three, four, six and eight-dog teams. Teams will race through the snow gum lined ski trails of Dinner Plain with the first teams scheduled to leave the village at 9am each day. Stevens said the skill level and ability of participating mushers has
increased dramatically resulting in longer race distances over recent years. “This year, in keeping with the heightened skill of Mushers, racing will feature trail routes spanning some 10 - 12km for the four, six and eight-dog teams and a distance of 5-6km over which the two and three-dog teams will compete,” he said. “Races will be held in heats, with competitors winning on combined time scores across the two days.” This year’s races will be on the weekend of August 13 and 14.
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PAGE 4 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2016
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Never a dull moment in a life on skis By JUSTIN JENVEY SKIING has taken Bill Barker many places, whether it has been through ski modelling for magazine covers or sponsor ads, ski patrolling or as a tour guide. For almost three decades Barker, the Mt Hotham Ski Patrol director, has been involved in the ski industry and even still it continues to take him new places. His latest adventure saw him spend two weeks in Antarctica last November, guiding skiers through the most southerly slopes on the planet. “There’s a US company that takes ski specific trips over there for two weeks and they put word out to other guides around the world to bring a group of guests along,” Barker said. “I took a group of clients over and I was their guide, the company leases a ship which you live on and each day they take you on shore and you hike up and ski the mountains. “It was incredible, gobsmacking really, the mountains were really cool like 2000 metre peaks that run down to the ocean, huge ice cliffs, massive glaciers and crevasses and wildlife everywhere.” Barker says Antarctica is likely to become a regular thing for him, adding to the ski trips he has been running in the Himalaya’s for the past 10 years. Back in 2005
Barker and his partner Tasha were employed by the Kashmir government to help establish resort procedures, protocols and boundaries at the Gulmarg ski resort as well as train 12 locals in ski patrol duties. Since then, when the Gulmarg Gondola -- which rises to an altitude on 3979m, making it the highest ski lift in the world -- was opened Barker has run ski trips for adventurous skiers and snowboarders. One of his tours last February also created a bit of a media frenzy when one of his guides and a group of skiers witnessed a snow leopard as they made their way down the mountain. “It’s a part of the Himalaya were the snow leopards live, one of my guides was skiing down with a group and saw what he thought was a log but he couldn’t understand why there was no snow on it,” Barker said. “As he approached it he saw what it was and nearly ran over its tail, he stopped below and the rest of the group were above the leopard and they just watched it for about a minute before it ran off. “It was a pretty amazing experience for our guests on their first run of the day. “We see their tracks all the time, I had only ever
seen a juvenile one before but that was the first fully grown leopard any of us had seen.” After first visiting Mt Hotham in 1987, Barker has been back every year since. He first washed dishes and delivered pizzas at The General after being offered a job by the publican because he thought his hair would look cool behind a snowmobile. Now those same dreads can still be seen flowing behind him as he does his ski patrol duties on Hotham more than a quarter of a century later.
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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2016 — PAGE 5
PEAK SEASON TIME TO FIND A SLOPE LESS TRAVELLED
WHEN you have skied the groomers and hopped through the moguls of the resort it is time to see a side that is less travelled. Break free of the lifts and resort bustle to find yourself alone on the perfect slope. Falls Creek’s Alpine Touring is like a combination of cross-country and downhill skiing. They use the latest Volkl alpine touring skis with purpose-built Marker alpine touring bindings that makes it easy to climb up hill and with a switch of the bindings ski downhill. The tours are designed for intermediate, advanced and expert skiers. Tours start at 10am, run for four hours and cost $125.
ON THE JOB: Staff at Falls Creek come from all over Australia like Annique Challis from Margaret River or Adelaides’s Jasba Andrew who work at Falls Creek Snowsports. You never know you might run into someone from your own hometown or suburb. Check the name tags.
FALLS CREEK’S PARTY CENTRAL FOR KIDS EVERY Tuesday night from 4pm - 6pm, Falls Creek Central (near Elk at Falls and Nelse Lodge) is party central for kids and adults alike. With fire pits, marshmallows, games, samples and more - it is the BEST place to be to get all the info on what is on this week at Falls Creek. Each week there will be featured businesses, activities and events PLUS a big prize giveaway for a lucky winner. Pete the Snowdragon loves the Street party and is always up for a boogie with the kids. Don’t miss out on a great time with Pete in snowy Falls Creek.
Despite an influx of international skiers this year’s 26th Kangaroo Hoppet has a wide open field
Aussie’s best hope of topping the Hoppet FALLS Creek will be a winter wonderland of cross country ski action on the last Sunday in August when the ski world comes together for Australia’s largest annual snowsports event, the 26th Kangaroo Hoppet. Over 1000 cross-country skiers from elite superstars to aspiring beginners, will click into a pair of skinny skis and line up at the Hoppet start in Falls Creek Nordic Bowl, alongside ski friends from 26 countries. In a big day of racing the Hoppet offers a unique combination of toplevel sporting competition and great family fun. Whether it takes two hours or six hours, the Kangaroo Hoppet provides a unique opportunity to ski the Bogong High Plains of Victoria’s Alpine National Park, on groomed trails. Race Director, Ben Derrick explained that the Kangaroo Hoppet brings together a worldwide family of ski friends. “Being part of the Worldloppet series of 20 cross-country ski races, the Kangaroo Hoppet attracts an
increasing number of overseas skiers wanting to do something they love, in a new and different alpine landscape,” Derrick said. “What better way to see the world on skis and be welcomed in an atmosphere of personal challenge, family fun and camaraderie. “It’s about making lifetime friends doing a lifetime sport.” Derrick said. The course starts and finishes in the Falls Creek Nordic Bowl, with three loops extending out onto the Bogong High Plains and into the Alpine National Park: 42km Kangaroo Hoppet, 21km Australian Birkebeiner and 7km Joey Hoppet. Derrick said with last year’s winner and Hoppet regular Valerio Leccardi staying home in Davos this year, the time is right for an Australian to take out the event for the first time since Ben Sim topped the podium in 2009. “And locals reckon that we have just the man in Phil Bellingham, last year’s runner up. Phil has been back in Australia for some months since the last northern hemisphere season and is living and training up at Falls
Creek,” he said. “When considering the international competition at this year’s Hoppet, we need look no further than members of the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation Gold XC Team who will be based at Falls Creek during August for a four week training camp which will include taking part in the FIS Continental Cup races on August 19/20 and finish with the Hoppet. “The leading man in the team is Matt Gelso. “The leading Australian contenders for the women’s podium places are Sochi Winter Olympian Aimee Watson, and Katerina Paul who looks like making the move up to the main race after winning last year’s Australian Birkebeiner. “As for the two Australian ladies who were on the podium last year with Sweden’s Maria Graefning, Casey Wright will certainly not be here this year, having taken up a coaching position in Alaska, and while Esther Bottomley has been seen enjoying the skiing at Falls Creek, she tells us that she has retired from racing.”
Juniors turn to shine in cross country
RISING STAR: Acacia Benne Keeble, was one of 80 junior athletes competing in the Victorian Junior Cross Country Ski Championships at Falls Creek. WHILE the Hoppet is some weeks away some of the future stars of the sport were on show at Falls Creek recently in the Victorian Junior Championships. About 80 athletes contested the classic sprint on Saturday and the freestyle distance events on Sunday.
Perfect weather conditions and great tracks saw some great skiing and close racing. “Some really strong competition in both the boy’s 10km and the girl’s 5km, giving a bit of a preview of who will be in contention for the AGL Energy in Action Scholarships at this
YOUNG GUN: Jarrah Forrer from Mount Beauty on his way to the Victorian 10km U18 championship. PHOTO: Kate Prest year’s Joey Hoppet,” Hoppet organiser Alan Marsland said. “Jarrah Forrer’s win today puts him in a strong position for the U18 boy’s award. Fastest girl over the 5km was Lily Boland from Ulladulla, who represented Australia at the Youth Winter Olympics in
Lillehammer earlier this year.” In the classic sprint the older age class was won by Stella Ajani and Tom Hoogenraad although both finals were hotly contested. Age class victories went to Fedele de Campo and Maysen Duffy in the U16, Tommy Silvester and Lily Murnane in
the U14, and Emma Prest and Jayden Spring in the U12. There was some close racing on Sunday in perfectly prepared skating trails both the 5km and 10km events were hotly contested with the lead groups staying in touch for most of the race.
The winners for the categories were U10 Annika Benne-Keeble and Isaac Spring, U12 Gabrielle Baines and Jayden Spring, U14 Lily Murnane and Tommy Silvester, U16 Maysen Duffy and Fedele de Campo, U18 Lilly Boland and Jarrah Forrer and U20 Stella Ajani.
PAGE 6 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2016
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It’s your private playground, untouched and ungroomed
Back tours are “all white”
SKIING with Steve Lee. It’s got a nice ring to it, don’t you think? Well at Falls Creek that opportunity arises twice a day, half-day tours with the legend of the resort, three-time Winter Olympian and one of only three Australians to have won at World Cup level. Specially designed transports take skiers and boarders into Lee’s personnel playground – 450ha of ungroomed, untracked snow. There are deep chutes worthy of a diamond black run and other secret hideaways that can provide an untouched playground to skiers of all abilities. “If you are a strong intermediate, happy to go up and down Ruined Castle then you are going to have a pretty good day on one of our tours,” Lee said. “There is plenty of variety out there – whether we are tackling Mt McKay or the Rocky Knolls. “We put people into the terrain that bests suits them, it’s no fun for them, or us, if they don’t come away from the day talking up the experience.” Lee, who these days shares his year between winters at Falls Creek and the Japanese resort of Hakuba, says the early snow falls didn’t really help his back country tours. “We really only kicked into gear after that big dump a couple of weeks ago,” he said.
PURE AS WIND DRIVEN … : Katie Steven and Steve’s sisters Kerry Lee Dodd and Tracy Lee Clauss take the cruisy option.
“We need the snow to be packed down and while the early snow was good for the groomed runs in the resort there really wasn’t the depth there to be confident of taking a group out on a tour. “But we’re used to it – generally we are here from opening weekend and then we play the waiting game and go deep into spring. “But those three days late in that week after that fall
were among the best skiing I’ve done in Australia.” Lee said it pays to plan ahead with his increasingly popular tours. “We find that we book out pretty quick,” he said. “We can take nine on a tour and with the snowmobiles and sleds we can get a couple of decent runs into the half day whether that be morning or afternoon.
“People generally book ahead and we work it all out – if for some reason we can’t get you out on that particular day we’ll make every effort to work it into one of the other days in your ski holiday.” The back country tours leave from the top of the Eagle Chair in the morning and just after lunch and you’ll need a valid lift ticket.
A happy group of tourists.
Two wheel magic in the snow
WHEELIE FUN: Miroslav Simanek took one of the fat bikes into Sun Valley on a blue bird day at Falls Creek last month. PHOTO: Chris Hocking
IT’S a crisp, clear August morning, the cool mountain air packing down the snow on trails and runs across the resort. But while most in the resort are gearing up for the day on one or two planks, Jiri Cech is pedalling into the back country. The Top Shots photographer was one of the pioneers of fat biking at Falls Creek. Now the curious two wheelers are
available for hire in the resort. “I guess I started about 10 years ago and at that time people looked at me like I was some sort of freak,” he said. “Today nearly all the major bike manufacturers are producing fat bikes.” Cech says conditions are the key to riding in the snow. “It is like magic when you are moving that big wheel,” he said. “It’s tough going in soft snow but when you get a deep freeze, on a clear
August night, there is nothing better than getting there first thing in the morning.” Cech has some words of wisdom. “My set up is single speed but others go through the gears, the real key is to run the tyres on really low tyre pressure,” he said. “Going up steep rises you might still struggle but downhill is always fun. “The other trick is jumps – I wouldn’t recommend it on soft snow.”
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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2016 — PAGE 7
Teen snowboarder making his mark worldwide
Bucking the trend to take to the boards By JUSTIN JENVEY
YOUNG GUN: When Carter Mills isn’t hitting the slopes on his snowboard he is earning a little bit of cash working at Hotham Sports Equipment Hire in Hotham Central.
CARTER Mills is luckier than most young Australian snowboarders looking to make it to the top level of the sport. The 15-year-old who spends his Australian winters at Mt Hotham also enjoys the northern hemisphere winter in the United States where his family lives for nine months of the year. Hailing from a family of skiers Mills made the switch to snowboarding when he was nine years old and hasn’t looked back. For the past three years his focus has been on boardercross and that’s where he is also luckier than most, being mentored by Australian boardercross champion Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullen. It’s a relationship Mills says has been great for his development. “For the last couple of years we have ridden together and hung out, he has done the coaching for the SSA Futures Camps so that’s where we first hooked
up,” Mills said. “He is an awesome guy, an awesome guy to ride with and good coach, he has helped me out a fair bit. “He is coming up in a couple of weeks, he comes up just before the race season and does some training. “Hotham’s a great place to train because we have a pretty good course that goes up here.” Training has become a big part of Mills’ life, at Hotham he rides with Hotham Snowboarders Inc and in the US with Transition Snowboarding, a Ski and Snowboard Australia pathway program. “My training involves gym work and on-snow stuff and just getting as much time on the track as I can,” Mills said. “That means practicing everything that goes into racing like carving, jumping, pumping, any sort of snowboarding helps, it’s just about feeling comfortable on your board.
“Over here I train with HSI which is mainly up and coming groms getting a feel for it but in the US it’s a bit different. “I train with TSC on weekends and during holidays but I’m probably the only Australian that lives over there the rest come over for training camps during the season.” While Mills has achieved some impressive results both here and in the US in recent seasons, his aim is to make the jump from promising junior to one of the best in the sport. “The Olympics is definitely the ultimate but I just want to continue to ride and enjoy doing it for a long time,” Mills said. “At the moment I’m lucky enough to have the support of Quiksilver and Oyuki. “World Cup tours and that is definitely a goal for me, that would be awesome, but I know I just have to keep training and putting in the time and we’ll see what happens.”
A surprise new addition for one family as the stork flies into Mt Hotham By JUSTIN JENVEY
SNOW BABY: Natasha Warlond gave birth to son Christian at Mt Hotham on the first day of July.
WHAT was first mentioned as a joke turned into reality for an expectant Melbourne couple at Mt Hotham in early July. David Warlond said his wife Natasha had mentioned to him when they left for Dinner Plain on June 25 that she would probably give birth to their third son while away. Then after deciding to stay an extra day in anticipation of better snow, Mrs Warlond went into labour in the early hours of Friday, July 1.
“About half an hour after we left Melbourne she joked that she would give birth because we weren’t prepared,” Mr Warlond said. “As fate would have it, extending our stay by a day brought that on in one way or another.” Christian Warlond was delivered at 4.49am less than two hours after the couple turned up at the Mt Hotham Medical Centre. They had initially started
to drive toward Omeo before turning around once they were told they would have to go to Bairnsdale hospital before heading back to the mountain. “I have never been so nervous in my live, with the weather conditions as well, it was snowing a bit,” Mr Warlond said. “Natasha had difficulties with our other two boys so we were worried if we had to give birth anywhere other than a hospital.
“I rung up Omeo and they said they don’t deliver babies and we’d have to go to Bairnsdale, at that stage we were about 500 metres down the road and then turned around. “We drove towards Bright and stopped at the main car park at Mt Hotham to make a final decision and we saw the paramedic standing outside the medical centre. “The doctors and nurses there were amazing, and Craig the paramedic was a legend.
“We had the first two in Melbourne so to have this one 1800 metres above sea level was a bit different.” Nurse Jen Gallagher said it was a significant day for the staff at the medical centre. “We had a close call last season but this was the first baby born in my four years here,” she said. It is thought to be just the second baby delivered on Mt Hotham, with the first being 52 years ago in 1964.
North East Living is a new tri-annual glossy magazine showcasing the spectacular North East region including interesting people, picturesque places, beautiful homes and gardens, first class food, wine and much more.
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PAGE 8 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2016
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The new Falls Creek Snowmobile Park is made just for kids
There’s no mobiles like snowmobiles THIS year for the first time Falls Creek has its own minipowered snow mobiles. As you may have guessed these are not for the grownups. But these are petrol powered, micro-versions of the real thing with controls and speed suitable for children aged 5 and up to 50 kg in weight. The kids Snowmobile Park has a dedicated track next to the Eagle Chair. For $15, cheaper if you book when you drive into the resort, the youngsters get 10 minutes on the track and all supervised by the hard-working resort management staff. Lisa King is one of those supervisors and says the kids love it. “It takes them a little while to adjust but once they get the hang of it ... they’re off,” she said. “They have a smile from ear to ear when it’s over. “The numbers come in waves, generally early afternoon after a morning skiing can get pretty busy – the best time is in those couple of hours just prior to lunch.” But in addition to being another family driven add-on the park is also a push to reinvigorate the Village Bowl. “We want people to come
TEST RUN: Andrew Batley tests out Hotham 365 during opening weekend.
into the resort,” Falls Creek Resort Management’s Jo Prothero said. “The Gully Chair is free for people on foot to get up into the bowl and then you have
the snowmobiles, a new toboggan and snow play area as well as the Tube Park. “This area once was the heart of the village and the development in Slalom Plaza
probably has taken that mantle but these activities are seen as key drivers in reestablishing activities in the bowl.” Adelaide’s Michaela
WATCHFUL: Lisa King overseas the operations in the Village Bowl.
Spooner was watching her son Jamie on the snowmobile. “Kids need to be entertained and something like this, as a break from skiing
or boarding is a great idea,” she said. The snowmobile park operates from 10am to 3pm and is limited to two on the track at any one time.
Resort looks back in time
MODELLING THE PAST: Therese van Putten is one of the volunteers driving the growth of the museum at Falls Creek.
TUCKED away in the Panabode Building next to the newly renamed Halley’s Comet chairlift at Falls Creek is a bit of history – in fact a lot of history and the collection is growing. The resort’s historical society, with the aid of an ever increasing number of benefactors, has put together a collection of memorabilia and artefacts from Falls Creek’s vibrant past. There are of course old skis and old ski boots, but there are also indigenous artefacts, a pioneering
skidoo and uniforms tracing the history of ski patrol at the resort as well as Australian Winter Olympic gear dating back to Innsbruck and more recently freestyle skier Brittany Cox’s jacket from Sochi. But Karen Smythe, who is coordinating the volunteers who man the museum most afternoons, says her favourite is the lift ticket tokens collected by Falls Creek stalwart Lyn Gibbs. “The amount of people who stop and work their way through the different tokens is just amazing,” she said.
“There are tickets that you tore off each time you caught a lift, a curious coin that dates back to the 1960s and so many others that rekindle memories.” Smythe says the museum is a work in progress. “People now realise that we are open, that we are here and so they are now willing to donate some of their treasures,” she said. “And that is exactly what we want to happen -- with more memorabilia, artefacts and other bits and pieces we can rotate exhibitions, create new displays so that people come
back time and time again. “Just the other day a lodge owner brought in a video of the construction of his building -- it is these videos and footage that will continue to build our collection. “Our next big push, at least for next year, will be to create a fashion display through the ages – it’s a chance to showcase some of that great ski gear from the 1960s and ‘70s.” The Falls Creek museum is closed on Mondays but open from 1pm to 4pm the rest of the week.
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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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2016 — PAGE 9
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PAGE 10 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2016
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When diesel turns to gel VICTORIA’S peak motoring body says it has rescued dozens of motorists in Victoria’s Alpine regions during recent cold snaps, after their diesel turned to gel in freezing conditions. Guy Hummerston, RACV General Manager Automotive Services said winter was always a busy time of the year, particularly for RACV’s Bright depot, which provides Emergency Roadside Assistance in the Alpine areas of Mount Hotham and Falls Creek. In the week from 11 to 17 July, when temperatures dropped as low as minus 10 degrees Celsius, the depot responded to calls for help from 173 members, about a third of which were for frozen diesel. It is the most common roadside emergency that our members need help with in Alpine areas during the snow season, accounting for 32 per cent of call-outs during the 2015 snow season. So far this snow season, RACV patrols have helped 100 members get back on the road after frozen diesel incidents. “Standard diesel turns to a gel at around minus six degrees Celsius, which can be a problem when visitors to the Alpine region fill their fuel tanks with standard diesel in Melbourne for example,” Mr Hummerston said. “It won’t be a problem while the vehicle is running because the fuel is flowing, but when you try to start the vehicle after it has been parked in the cold for some time, the engine may not start.
HERE COMES THE COMET: First year Falls Creek towies Tom Edwards and Maddi Morris give the renamed Halley’s Comet the thumbs up last week.
Huge vote of confidence as Falls icon reverts to old name
Back to the future for Halley’s Comet FEDERAL Election Day may have been a dud in deciding the winner on the spot but the desire for change has seen an overwhelming vote for the old ways at Falls Creek at a poll of a different kind back on the same day. Just a week after the BREXIT decision that saw Great Britain leave the European Union came FEXIT and like its better known northern hemisphere poll the vote was an overwhelming ‘Yes”. The Falls Express Chairlift, so named since 2006, will revert to its original
name of Halley’s Comet – as it was known when first built 30 years ago. “The Falls Express Chairlift is ridden by more visitors than any other lift at Falls Creek,” resort management’s Jo Prothero said. “Despite this status, there was a rising push for change to bring the chairlift back to its roots and officially rename to Halley’s Comet – as it was originally dubbed when built in 1986. “This movement has gained such traction that a mountain referendum has been called for Falls Creek
visitors to decide - Should we change the name of the Falls Creek Express Chairlift?” The poll was held on July 2 in conjunction with the federal election with 75 per cent of respondents voting in favour of the old name. Falls Creek Head of Marketing Anthony O’Shea said the people had spoken. “With nearly 1000 votes cast, they’ve voted by more than 3 to 1 to return Falls Express to its original name: Halley’s Comet,” he said.
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“We’re going to honour the plebiscite. “Over the next couple of years, and the usual cycle of replacement of trail signs, trail maps, app updates, etc. we’ll return to the original name. “We’ll also refresh the livery of the chairlift top and bottom stations over that time. “In the meantime, we’ll have a transition period where both names are in use, which shouldn’t be too confusing as in many people’s minds the chairlift has always been Halley’s Comet.”
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Dumping your unwanted goods in the national park and at our recreation reserves is a health and safety hazard. It harms the environment and is costly to clean up...that’s why we need your help to put a stop to it. Always dispose of your unwanted goods the safe and legal way. Take them to a transfer station or contact Resort Management for further advice.
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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2016 — PAGE 11
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PAGE 12 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2016
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2016 FALLS CREEK winter events SNOW CAPPED COMEDY
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SLED DOG CLASSIC August Sat 6th
Ski & Snowboard Downhill Events
Cross Country Ski Events
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JULY SUN 10TH YMCA Howman’s Gap p Vic Relay Champs
JULY MON 18 - FRI 22ND Sth Aus Interschools Champs
JULY SAT 16TH - SUN 17TH Vic Junior Sprint & Distance istance Champs
JULY FRI 22ND The Falls Creek Night Rambler FINALS
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JULY TO AUGUST SUN 31ST - FRI 5TH Australian Police Winter Games ASSSTC TBA Contact us for more information
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TUESDAY Y Stttrrre S eet et Party Par P Pa art rttyy (featuring ((fe e ur uriin ng Pete the ng Kids Street Dra rag ra aggo on) n) at at Falls Fa Falll Creek Cre Cr C ree eekk Central. C Ce e Snow Dragon) pm m in July ulyy & August Aug Au ugust ugust ugu ug 4pm – 6pm
AUGUST FRI 5TH The Board ard Lounge Throwdown #2 AUGUST ST SAT 20TH Storm m the Castle SEPTEMBER TEMBER SAT 3RD Bandwagon wagon Banked Slalom SEPTEMBER EMBER SAT 17TH The Dreamer eamer Slopestyle
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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2016 — PAGE 13
High plains Aussie Rules LOOKING for four quarters of comedy? Look no further than the annual Canning Cup on Friday, August 5 that pits a rag tag bunch of Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain towies and mountain staff, aided and abetted by some former, okay ageing, AFL stars, against the hardened boys from Omeo. David Cloke, Stephen Powell, Matt McGuire, Wayne Walsh, Ted Carroll, Guy Rigoni and Russell Robertson will pull on the red-V and navy blue when they kit up for the Dinner Plain/Mt Hotham Demons in a match designed to raise awareness around motor neurone disease. MND sufferer and former champion footballer Neale Daniher will be guest speaker at the sold out lunch earlier in the day, while Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie will take to the netball courts at the Omeo Recreation Reserve. Dinner Plain’s Peter McKenna said the “Big Freeze” had come to the mountains. “This started eight years ago after one of the legends of Dinner Plain Peter Canning lost his battle with the disease,” he said. “It is really four quarters of comedy rather than footy but the cause is all that matters. “It’s fantastic to have Neale Daniher coming – he’s raised more than $8 million in 18 months as part of the Big Freeze and is a true inspiration.”
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SHOOTING FOR GOLD: Great early season snow saw big turnouts for the biathlon national training camp at Whiskey Flat last month.
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MOUNT Hotham will again be biathlon central during August following on from a highly successful July, which saw the largest National Camp in more than a decade among a host of other events. Biathlon Australia’s Emma Flanagan the Australian Biathlon Championships on the weekend of August 13 and 14 would be the upcoming highlight. Biathlon is an Olympic sport that combines crosscountry skiing with rifle shooting. This combination originated in Scandinavia, where skiing and rifle shooting remain an important part of military training. “The Hotham Biathlon Arena is the only range in Australia and is located 3 km east of Hotham Village,” Flanagan said. “It is part way through the 2016-2017 Development Project, which in the long term will increase the capacity to 15 lanes, and allow disabled access and international competitions. “But for Winter 2016, there are only 11 lanes, which means that the Mass Start event planned for 13 August may need to be
changed to an Individual (Distance) event.” Australian Biathlon Chief of Race, Neil Richardson, is hoping that’s not the case. “The mass start is a fantastic race, where everyone starts at the one time, we ran one at a championships event a couple of years ago,” he said. “However, if by the close of registrations we have as many participants as predicted, we won’t have enough lanes for everyone to shoot at the one time. “In that case, we’ll run an Individual race, which has an interval start, so we can leave plenty of time gaps between starters; this means there are no queues for people waiting to shoot. “As problems go, worrying about having too many starters is a nice one to have”. Also at Mount Hotham for the first two weeks of August is the Defence Nordic Biathlon Association, for the annual “Exercise Coolshot” event. Some 80 defence force personnel are expected to take part in this event, with participants coming from as far away as Perth and Darwin to take part.
PAGE 14 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2016
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Supermarket, coffee shop, lunch, dinner and late night venue
General-ly speaking of course By JUSTIN JENVEY CO-OWNERS of The General, Steve Pennington and Darren White describe it best when they say it has different personalities at different times of the day. Anyone that’s been to Hotham is familiar with The General whether you have been there morning or night or for a coffee, beer, meal or to party. Once the lifts stop turning it’s probably Hotham’s most popular venue and there’s something happening every night, generally some musician or band playing, but even on quieter nights like Tuesday a crowd still files through the doors for trivia. “It’s a supermarket, post office or coffee shop in the morning,� White said. “It gets a little bit busier at lunchtime, it’s quite busy in the afternoon and then really busy for dinner with families and all sorts of different people. “At 9pm they have all left and every young person comes here and it takes on a whole different personality again. “Even during the night it does, with the two different levels there might be electronic music upstairs and then live acoustic music downstairs.� While it’s recognised as Hotham’s number one
A retreat to triumph TRACKERS Mountain Lodge, in the heart of Falls Creek, is building a reputation for its Yoga Retreats in the picturepostcard alpine resorts snow season. To enhance its standing amongst yoga enthusiasts the owner (an enthusiastic yogi follower) has pulled off quite a coup. Byron Bay-based Tara Fitzgibbon, pictured below has embraced all things yoga for more than 18 years and is coming south to host the second September Snoga Retreat in the resort.
Fitzgibbon will incorporate Yin Yoga into her repertoire when she hosts a five-day Snoga Retreat between September 11 and 16. Yin Snoga Retreat costs $1195 per person twin share including: Lodge-style accommodation, daily morning and evening Yin Yoga Sessions, breakfasts, dinners and daily afternoon teas, all day tea and coffee, welcome and departure functions, crosscountry ski adventure, high country picnic, laughs, lightness and joy.
TAKING ORDERS: Sarah Oakley is enjoying her first season behind the bar at The General. INSET: The General in party mode.
entertainment venue, as the home of DJ Eddy as well as regularly hosting visiting bands and acts what The General serves up in terms of entertainment, it continues to expand. “We have tried to run a fair bit of après action this year as well as light DJing in the afternoon,â€? Pennington said. “We introduced a few of our guys on staff like Mark Hogg and Benny Williams who play acoustic. “When a swell of people come in we might pull them out of the bar or wherever and just pop them up on stage to perform for a while and people love it.â€? Pennington said that’s what The General is
about, the people. “We just try and provide an honest product and I think our customer base comes in here and invests in us because they know they can rely on us,� he said. “We’re a venue where people of all ages can come and mix and talk about the best drops for the day or where the best powder was and we encourage that conversation. “We like to think we’re about real music, real food, and real people.� Upcoming acts performing at The General include Ben Smith on July 29, Dallas Frasca August 5, Ash Grumweld August 11, and Woodlock on August 12.
YOGA MASTER: Tara Fitzgibbonis coming to Falls Creek.
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PLAIN SPEAKING GLIDING FROM PUB TO PUB THE annual pub to pub cross country ski race will mark its 25th anniversary on Saturday, August 6. It’s a fun event for skiers of all ages and abilities, where first-timers line up alongside Australian champions. The pub to pub starts at The General at Hotham and participants must be able to ski the 12km between Hotham and Dinner Plain within two hours. The race starts at 11am with race entry at The General at Hotham between 9am and 10.30am on the morning of the race. More information is available on the Pub to Pub website.
MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2016 — PAGE 17
There’s a blizzard brewing in the mountains
Crafty new venture at DP
SKIING UNDER THE STARS THERE’S choice when it comes to night skiing at Mt Hotham and Dinner Plain. Dinner Plain’s Snow Park lights up every Wednesday and Saturday night throughout winter, with the ski slope and the tube run open for action. Just 10 minutes away, Hotham’s Big D is also open every Wednesday and Saturday night for some skiing and snowboarding fun. Both sessions start at 6.30pm, both run for three hours. Tickets are available from all ticket outlets costing $10 at Dinner Plain and $12 at Hotham. Bookings are not required.
ON THE HOP: New head brewer Christopher Haren has swapped the Great Ocean Road for the Great Alpine Road at Blizzard Brewing in Dinner Plain.
MELTING snow and clear unpolluted skies make the waters of the high Victorian Alps some of the purest in Australia. Such an unadulterated ingredient – snow melt – is what inspired Blizzard Brewing Company founder Mark Hubbard to produce Australia’s newest brews, carefully crafted by an award-winning brewer. “When you go to a vineyard you can taste the influences of the environment on the wine. That’s what I’m mostly excited about in our beer; we’re brewing with the freshest water available to any brewer in Australia.” Nestled among the snow gums at Dinner Plain, 1550 metres above sea level, Blizzard Brewing Co. opened its doors at Easter, with its brews served at venues throughout Dinner Plain, Hotham and Falls Creek. But it’s at the brewery itself that visitors get the ultimate beer experience, with the opportunity to taste the locally sourced ingredients separately, including hops from Myrtleford and lavender from Harrietville. Alan Sheppard, co-founder of Barcelona’s Edge Brewing, which was voted the Top New Brewer in the World by Rate Beer in 2014 helped kick start the venture.
He’s now been replaced by Christopher Haren most recently at Rogue Wave Brewing at Aireys Inlet. “He’s swapped the Great Ocean Road for the Great Alpine Road,” Hubbard said. “We have only been open a few months and we are pretty happy with the takeup, the venues who have our beers on tap are doing really well. “It is a great location here at the bottom of the ski run but I’m constantly surprised by how many people stay in Dinner Plain and don’t know about us. “The other great challenge here is the tyranny of distance – getting raw product to the brewery is a costly exercise, I think we would be the most remote craft brewer in the country.” Hubbard says punters are torn on their favourite. “The Brandy Creek Kolsch is very popular after a big day out on the slopes because it’s very approachable and doesn’t have too much bitterness in it,” he said. “But for those who do like a hoppy taste, the Powder Pale Ale will be something they’ll go for. “My personal favourite is the Avalanche Amber Ale -- it’s so smooth and delicious.”
Ž LJŽƵ ǁĂŶƚ ƚŽ ĐƌĞĂƚĞ ƚŚĞ ƉĞƌĨĞĐƚ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƟŽŶ between your family and a family in France? Why not host a French exchange student and learn more about French culture together easily in your own home? A French ‘brother ‘or ‘sister’ in your family can be fun and helpful, especially if someone in your family is learning French. If you would like to be a volunteer host family to a friendly French boy or girl in high school arriving soon on exchange in mid-August, don’t miss this opportunity.
For details please call 1800 500 501 info@scce.com.au www.scce.com.au j/31d52481-v27/32-16
BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS EXPAND YOUR MIND MAKE FRIENDS FOR LIFE
PAGE 18 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2016
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Gapsted Wines
MYRTLEFORD Ceccanti Kiewa Valley Wines WINERY WALKABOUT: Enjoy the hospitality of high country vignerons including Boynton’s Feathertop Winery (above) and Bruce and Annie Holm’s Ringer Reef (below) at Porepunkah.
Feathertop Wines Ringer Reef Wines
This way to Falls Creek!
MT BUFFALO
This way to Mt Hotham
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Legs tired, wind blowing too hard? Take advantage of all the alpine valleys have to offer and just a short drive from the mountains or on the way home … CECCANTI KIEWA VALLEY WINES
BOYNTON’S FEATHERTOP WINERY
GAPSTED WINES
285 Bay Creek Lane, Mongans Bridge
6619 Great Alpine Rd, Porepunkah
From Mt Hotham: 94km - 1hr33min
From Falls Creek: 53km - 1hr From Mt Hotham: 91km - 1hr38min
From Falls Creek: 70km - 1hr23min From Mt Hotham: 66km - 1hr12min
From Falls Creek: via Great Alpine Road 98km 1hr44min or via Kiewa Valley Highway 102km - 1hr38min
L
T
ocated just outside Myrtleford near the Snow Road turnoff, Gapsted Wines is an award-winning winery producing wines from grapes grown in the King and Alpine Valleys. Sample some of the most decorated and rare wines in Australia including Petit Manseng and Saperavi or stick to the classics like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Shiraz. Perfect for an afternoon nibble or a multi course feast the a la carte restaurant and cellar door is open every day and showcases food sourced from the surrounding gourmet regions. Most dishes can be partnered with a certain variety of Gapsted wine to enhance your meal. With spectacular views across the vines towards the rolling hills and bushland whether you re enjoying the food and wine undercover or on the luscious green lawns you will enjoy the experience in any weather.
his picturesque winery with views of Mt Feathertop and Mt Buffalo has been producing cool climate wines from the 21 different grape varietals for more than 25 years. Along with traditional wines you ll also discover many alternate varieties at Boynton’s including Savagnin, Vermentino, Tempranillo, Prosecco and Friulano. When it comes to eating, the restaurant is open year round for lunch and head chef Simon Buckley has created a seasonal and modern menu using fresh produce from the vineyard veggie garden and other local growers. Also available to enjoy on the terrace are seasonal platters. Feathertop stocks a huge deli range of cured meats, local cheeses, house made baguettes, dips and pestos, olives, pates and local trout for you to choose from. A child-friendly venue with kids food options as well as a playground. Luxury accommodation is also available.
6835 Great Alpine Rd, Porepunkah VIC 3740 From Falls Creek: 64km - 1hr10min From Mt Hotham: 68km - 1hr22min
T
his vineyard and winery provides some of the best panoramic views in the area. Just six kilometres from Bright and with the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail running past the front gate it s a comfortable ride if you want to hire a bike for the day. Owner and winemaker Bruce Holm was involved in largescale commercial wine production in Griffith and Mildura for 30 years before planting the first vines on the property in 1998. Ringer Reef s selection of wines includes classic and Italian varieties from Chardonnay, Merlot, Montepulciano, Moscato Giallo, Nebbiolo, Petit Manseng, Pinot Noir, Sangiovese and Sauvignon Blanc. The homemade bread with Happy Valley Homestead olive oil and dukkah is a must, Boosey Creek cheeses, Mt Buffalo Olives quince paste and olives, delicious meats, and Australian Pumpkin Seeds are also available to nibble on.
Fresh take away, a quick bite or a late lunch… Our family friendly restaurant can help you with all of the above! Give us a quick call when you’re leaving the mountain to let us know what time you’ll be arriving on (03) 5752 2310
10% di sc availab ount l all ‘Roa e to Falls C d to re Memb ek’ ers!
134 Great Alpine Road, Myrtleford Phone: 03 5752 2310 www.luposkilncafe.com.au Thursday to Saturday 8am to 4pm, Sunday 8am - 5pm. School holidays open 7 days.
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hile this family owned vineyard, winery and cellar door has the feeling of a natural Australian bush setting be prepared for a Tuscanstyle treat. Angelo and Moya Cenccanti purchased the 100-acre property in 1977 with the intention of planting cool climate grapes, in a climate with similar altitude and soil type to that found in the Chianti region in Tuscany. The classic varieties of Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Reserve and Nonno Reserve thrive in the cool Alpine climate where long cold winters, and cool summer nights, create the perfect environment for maturation of grapes with ripe characters, soft tannins and an abundance of fruity flavours. The menu ranges from antipasti through to a full banquet (if so desired) with a classic Tuscan influence. When time permits staff are happy to show guests through the winery.
3897 Great Alpine Rd, Myrtleford VIC 3737
RINGER REEF WINES
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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2016 — PAGE 19
Mogul Ski World SPECIALISING IN SNOW HOLIDAYS
MOGUL SKI DEALS
Whistler is considered to be one of the best snow resorts in the world
Kids Ski FREE with a paying Adult* Kids Rent FREE with a paying Adult* Kids Transfer FREE with a paying Adult*
Ask about the Discounted ski and snowboard rentals* Discounted Lessons*
MOGUL LIFT DEALS Book by 31 August and Save Save up to 78%* on lift passes in April Save up to 51%* on lift passes in Jan to April
Two mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, sit side by side linked by the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola in just 11 minutes and give a total size in excess of 8000 acres. From dedicated beginner areas and perfectly groomed cruising runs to challenging mogul fields, steep chutes and exciting tree skiing, there is skiing and riding to suit every level. Opportunities for family time abound including ice skating, tubing, zip lining, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, and more. The pedestrian village offers over 200 shops, lots of great restaurants and plenty of groovy bars and nightclubs. Every Sunday night through the winter, watch an electrifying evening of free, live entertainment with the Fire & Ice Show.
Make this your year to experience Whistler FAMILY
SUMMIT LODGE BOUTIQUE HOTEL ★★★★
FAIRMONT CHATEAU WHISTLER ★★★★★
COAST BLACKCOMB SUITES & SPA ★★★★
Based on 7 nights in a Deluxe Studio and a 6 day lift pass.
Based on 7 nights in a Deluxe Valley View room and a 6 day lift pass.
Based on 7 nights in a 2 bedroom condo and a 6 Day Pass for 2 adults and 2 children under 12 years.
Valid 03 Jan – 01 Feb.
Valid 06 Jan – 14 Feb.
Valid 01 Jan – 26 Jan.
From $1199* per person
ACCOMMODATION DEAL LIFT DEAL
Book by 31 August and Save 25%* Book by 31 August and Save up to 37%*
From $1638* per person
From $3990* per family
ACCOMMODATION DEAL
Book by 31 August and Save 45% AND Free room upgrade from Fairmont Room*
ACCOMMODATION DEAL
LIFT DEAL
Book by 31 August and Save up to 37%*
LIFT DEAL
Book by 31 August and Save 35%* Book by 31 August and Save up to 37% AND Kids 12 and under ski FREE*
1800 335 724 IATA Accredited *conditions apply please contact Mogul Ski World for all details
reservations@mogulski.com.au mogulski.com.au
PAGE 20 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — August 2016
www.nemedia.com.au
BREAK THROUGH phrase:/ move forward, achieve your goals, reach your peak.
i Boost your fun on the snow. g Open up more terrain. f hotham.com.au/snowsports
Louis Muhlen | Age 18 | Hotham Skier | Product of Hotham Ski & Ride School instruction since 2004 | 8:23am | 18 July 2016. j/15d13507-v3/32-16