Top: Only 41.99kms to go... at the start of last year’s Kangaroo Hoppet. Pic - Ken Bell. Bottom: Fantastic action as the skiiers race down Heathy Spur. Pics - Ken Bell.
FROM THE CEO
Drop it… You’ll Drink It!
How good is all this snow? We are back above average in terms of snow depth, with more cheeky top ups on the way. So, the outlook for Spring skiing is looking pretty darn good.
Of course, with the Spring comes snow melt. A legacy of being a part of the Kiewa Hydro Scheme is not only do we have an abundance of water (FYI the lake holds 28,000ML of it) for snow making and power generation, but the network of aqueducts around the resort and across the high plains captures this melt and ‘recycles’ it.
In fact, the Australian High Plains, particularly those around Falls Creek, Mt Hotham etc are a major part of the Murray Darling Basin. Approximately 50-70% of the water that makes it way to your tap in metro Melbourne, the townships along the way and all the way to Adelaide, originates from part of what you’re skiing on!
With the current global campaigning about single use plastic bags and the damage they are doing to the environment, thinking about what we do with ‘disposable rubbish’
is a hot topic. We’ve also seen the dramatic and disgusting pictures of turtles, whales, dolphins - whose stomachs are bloated from consuming plastic bags, mistakenly believed to be jelly fish… resulting in what could only be imagined as having been horrendously painful and excruciating deaths… there are many options to combat this and I’m fully in support of the campaign to stamp out single use, nonbiodegradable plastic bags.
However, one of the more ubiquitous problems that is often overlooked are cigarette butts!
Yep… Apparently of the 24 billion cigarettes sold every year in Australia, seven billion butts never find their way into a bin! That’s one butt for every human being on the plant being dropped! Cigarette butts are the largest source of litter in the WORLD. You’re probably thinking… “I don’t smoke, what has this to do with me?”
Cigarette butts leach the toxic chemicals that smokers inhale, such as cadmium, lead, arsenic and zinc into water streams. They are made from a type of plastic – cellulose acetate that can take up to 12-15 years to break down, and many are consumed by
OPENING HOURS
12noon – 4pm Tuesday to Sunday
Volunteers Needed Ph: Margy 03 5758 1200
Panabode Building, Slalom Street, Falls Creek Map Ref: E4. Look for the Harvey Kat.
Drop it – and you’ll probably be drinking it when you get home!
numerous species as they make their way into the environment.
So, my message to all the smokers out there is… put your butts in a bin - or carry a vessel to put them in and dispose of later. Dropping them or flicking them once you’ve inhaled that last toxic plume, impacts those of us who choose not to smoke and the environment that consequently bears the brunt of this act of irresponsibility. Think before your flick. Or better still – go here and get responsible for your butts; http://www.buttfree.org.au/ products/ashtrays-butt-holders/.
So next time you see someone incorrectly dispose of their butt… call them out. Particularly here at Falls Creek… because you’ll only be drinking it later! Gross - yeah! What is more, under the Litter Act 1979, dropping a butt can result in a $200 fine for incorrect disposal.
Help protect our very fragile alpine environment by doing the right thing, every little bit helps… because the alternative is a smoke free resort. So remember, no smoking on the ski field, in the lift queue or on the lift. Thanks for your help.
Visitor Information Centre
The Falls Creek Visitor Information Centre is located in the Resort Management Office, up stairs on the corner of Slalom Street and Bogong High Plains Road. Open 8am – 5pm daily for Visitor Information and Gym Memberships. Ph: 03 5758 1202. (Map Ref: E4)
Resort Entry
Resort Entry is located at Howman’s Gap, approx. 4km before reaching Falls Creek. Day and Night passes are $56.50 on arrival per day, (or $51.50 on line). If arriving after 5pm and departing prior to midnight on the same day, entry is free. Visitors over 65 years of age receive a discount.
Season Passes are available at $555 (or $475 on line).
An ‘All Resorts’ permit, valid at all Victorian Snow Resorts is available for $787.00. Enquire at the Visitor Information Centre desk.
Resort Entry Fees fund the essential services of:
• Ski patrol • Car Parking
• Snow Clearing • Water Supply • Waste Management
Resort Entry Tickets may also be purchased on-line at www.fallscreek.com.au
Child Care – Hours & Rates
Falls Creek Child Care is located in the St Falls complex, at the base of the Halley’s Comet chairlift – open from 8:30am to 5pm, seven days a week for children from 12 weeks to five years old.
Hours & Rates
Morning: 8:30am – 12:30pm $90
Afternoon: 1:30pm – 5pm $75
Full Day: 8:30am – 5pm $135 Bookings are strongly recommended as places are limited. Make your booking at: www.fallscreek.com.au/childcare.
Accommodation Transfer Service
Operating from the Terminal Building on the Bogong High Plains Road, the Accommodatin Transfer Service will move you, your family and your luggage comfortably to your lodge or apartment.
Hours of Operation
Mon – Thurs & Sat: 8am – 10pm Friday: 8am
Foodie Tip of the Week: The Cock & Bull - and its proprietor, Barry Jones are somewhat of Falls Creek legends. Bazz celebrates 40 years of owning and running Pretty Valley Lodge and Ropers Apartments. One of his many contributions has been the addition of a traditional English Pub to our F&B offer – The Cock & Bull. It’s comfort food personified, with some very traditional pub dishes on offer, all able to be washed down with a pint of Guinness or a Kilkenny. His Chicken Wings are legendary on plates of 5, 10 or 15. Pub Favourites like Fish & Chips, Parmi’s, Carbonara are available, plus Olde English Favs… save room for dessert, the Banoffee Pie is worth it. Bonus; they do take away too. Bookings: 03 5758 3225. •
Stuart Smythe, CEO Falls Creek Resort Management
Adventure your way with Falls Creek Snowsports School!
Our Falls Creek Snowsports School offers an extensive variety of ski and snowboard programs, catering to children and adults of all abilities. We’re here to drive your passion for snowsports, develop your skills and get the most out of your on-snow experience!
Paw Patrol Snowclub (3 - 5 years)
Full & half day programs – see your child’s love of skiing grow as their skills progress! Specialised lessons include professional full-time staff, full day or half day options, delicious lunchtime meals, progress cards and all in a word class learning environment. A favourite of the Nickelodeon Paw Patrol puppies!
• Full day: 09:15am – 2:50pm • Half day: 9:15am – 1:00pm
• PM lesson only: 1:15pm – 2:50pm
Registration from 09:15am and 1:15pm, with lessons commencing at 10:00am and 1:30pm.
Junior Workshop (6 – 14 years)
Full day programs – book your child in for a full day of adventure and watch as they learn to master skiing or snowboarding! Specialised lessons include constant supervision, full day lessons, delicious lunchtime meals and progress cards.
Full day: 09:30am – 2:50pm. Registration from 09:30am, with lessons commencing at 10:00am.
Ride Tribe (13 – 17 years)
This year, our full day ride tribe program will commence at blue level and up. This dedicated teen program is designed to further develop the skills and confident of our teenage skiers and snowboarders. High-end Ride Tribe groups will hit
the parks, freeride the mountain and most importantly, have a tonne of fun with other ripping teenagers. The program includes constant supervision, full day lessons and delicious lunchtime meals. Full day: 09:30am – 2:50pm
Registration from 09:30am, with lessons commencing at 10:00am.
Adult Programs (15+)
Develop your skiing or snowboarding skills in our group lessons, designed to cater for adults of all ability levels. NEW FOR 2019. Adult group lesson start at 10:00am
The AM Group Lesson features extended sessions and is available daily from 10:00am – 12:30pm.
The PM Super Session guarantees a maximum of five participants and is available daily from 1:30pm – 2:50pm. Enquire about our number of speciality programs, including our Mim Sodergren Women’s Program!
Brand new to snowsports?
If you have never skied or snowboarded before, the Falls Creek Learn to Ski or Learn to Board lessons are for you. With a group lesson in either the morning or afternoon, plus exclusive all-day access to the Halley’s Comet, Mousetrap, Boardwalk and Drover’s Chair beginner lifts, you will find your skills developing in no time! Lessons are available for adults and children and commence at 10:00am and 1:00pm daily.
New for 2019Adult LEARN TO SKI “ALL
DAY”
As a first timer, we want your experience to be as comfortable as possible. Join our Full Day First Timer program and enjoy the guidance and support of your instructor all day, and even over lunch. Get past your second session in the afternoon, and really get moving within Falls Creek’s world class beginner terrain.
Private Lessons
For the ultimate in personalised instruction, you can’t go past a private lesson. Receive expert, individualised instruction in a session specially designed to cater to your individual needs and preferences. Advance bookings are essential, so get in quick! For all advance lesson bookings and enquiries, please email snowsports@fallscreek.net.
Booking Details
Save time on arrival and pre-book any of our group programs* online at our Falls Creek E-store: https://shop. skifalls.com.au, or let us guide you through your choices at any resort ticket office, rental store, or the Snowsports School Office in Cloud 9. For any enquiries, please contact us at (03) 5758 1000. ‘All trails lead you home at Falls Creek!’
FROM THE GM
2020 Epic Australia Pass
With the exciting acquisition of Hotham and Falls Creek by Vail Resorts earlier this year, many of our existing and new snow enthusiasts responded with huge confidence and opted to buy the Epic Australia Pass. In doing so, they’ve unlocked the freedom and flexibility to ski and board in four countries yearround. Falls Creek, Hotham and Perisher, Whistler Blackcomb in Canada, Hakuba Valley and Rusutsu in Japan, and the best of the US are all connected through one incredible season pass, representing the best value pass product for our guests - ever!
This week, the 2020 Epic Australia Pass (affectionately known as EAP) goes on sale. With only $49 upfront and the balance payable on 1 May 2020, you can lock in your EAP for only $829 for Adults, $469 for Students (5 years up to year 12) and $639 for Seniors (65 years and over).
With your Epic Australia Pass you will enjoy:
• Unlimited, unrestricted access to Falls Creek and Hotham and Perisher in the 2020 season.
• Five consecutive days with no blackout dates at Rusutsu and Hakuba Valley, Japan for the 2020 – 2021 season
• Access to Breckenridge and Keystone in Colorado; Park City in Utah; Heavenly, Northstar and Kirkwood in Lake Tahoe, California and Stowe in Vermont in the 2020 - 2021 season (holiday restrictions apply)
• 10 days combined at Whistler Blackcomb, Vail and Beaver Creek in the 2020 - 2021 season (holiday restrictions apply; days do not have to be consecutive)
• Unlimited, unrestricted access to Okemo, Mount Sunapee, Crested Butte and Stevens Pass in the 2020 - 2021 season
Some of our North American resorts have holidays restrictions, but these can be removed by upgrading to an Epic Australia Plus pass to allow you to enjoy greater flexibility.
In addition to a host of great value benefits across Whistler Blackcomb and the best of the US, 2020 Epic Australia Pass holders also receive unrivalled savings and benefits across Falls Creek, Hotham and Perisher including:
New Range of Salomon Ski & Snowboard Boots have just arrived!!
25% Discount for all June Ski & Snowboard Boot purchases! Expert Master Boot Fitter’s on site to fit you up. Open Daily: 8am – 6pm FREE Pick-up & delivery for all ski and snowboard rental!
• 6 Bring a Mate lift ticket discount invitations
• Up to 25% off lessons
• Up to 25% off equipment hire
• Up to 15% off Retail Purchases
• Free Night Skiing
Want to learn more?
We are hosting an Epic Après this Saturday 17th of August, from 4pm – 6pm at the Stag Bar in Cloud 9. We invite all Epic Australia Pass holders and guests who aspire to purchase an Epic Australia Pass to come along. Enjoy a glass of The Stag wine and a slice of pizza on us, and learn all about what make Vail Resorts such amazing holiday destinations. Come mingle with our staff, many of whom also work and live in Vail Resort destinations around the world and are excited to share their insider knowledge and local secrets.
Please note: you will be unable to leave Cloud 9 between 5pm & 6pm while our Grooming Team prepare the slopes for night skiing, so you’ll either need to head down prior to 5pm or stay in Cloud 9 until 6pm, when the mountain and lifts re-open. Should the weather be unkind for night skiing, the event will be moved to The Frying Pan in the Village Bowl.
We look forward to having you join us! • Sharon Raguse
General Manager, Falls Creek Ski Lifts
PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAVID ROSENDALE
Exhibited Locally
David Rosendale returns to exhibit at QT Falls Creek with selected prints from his study of seasonal change, ‘The Fall,’ with new and unreleased works spanning the years 2016 – 2019.
This Exhibition represents work produced whilst Artist in Residence at Falls Creek in 2017 and beyond, a perpetual commitment and study of the Victorian Alpine landscape. The exhibition returns to Falls Creek after a busy schedule in 2018, travelling through Melbourne and Canberra.
Rosendale’s work has been featured by major domestic & international brands and featured in prestigious publications and awards such as the Australian National Photographic Portrait Prize, and semifinalist in the Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize.
Based in Melbourne, David has produced an immersive study of Falls Creek, a project that would document all four seasons and imbue the photographer’s role as observer throughout year-long cycles of change. Ski infrastructure and the subtle human footprint in the region, play supporting roles to the majestic mountains, serving as reminder of the fragment human activity plays within the landscape.
Having begun his journey at Falls Creek in Winter, experiencing the transient nature and tiny window in which this imagery existed, lead an evolution for the body of work, to grander fascinations of seasonal change & metamorphosis. Of truly immersing oneself in an environment, witnessing a metronomic rhythm to which all processes of life keep time. This exhibition represents limited edition prints from the beginning of the project in 2016, to present day.
23 - 25 August 2019. QT Hotel Function Room, 17 Bogong High Plains Rd, Falls Creek.
Fri 23rd - 6pm - 8pm. Sat 24th - 10am8pm. Sun 25th -10am - 8pm.
10% of any sales will be donated to the Falls Creek Museum. Drop in to the official opening, Friday 23rd August, 6-8pm. David will be on site for the entire weekend, answering questions about his experiences photographing in the landscape throughout the seasons.
More details can be found on the Falls Creek Website.
https://www.fallscreek.com.au/listing/ photographs-by-david-rosendale-exhibitionfalls-creek or https://www.davidrosdendale. com.au. •
Open 8 till Late Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Mondays: $20 burger night Plus TRIVIA
Tuesdays: Kids eat dinner free (w purchase 1 for 1 of main meal)
Wednesdays: $25 Steak Night
All day Breakfast Burritos All day coffee | All day smiles $10 Cocktail Hour Daily 4pm - 5pm
Dinner Available from 5pm Ph: 03 5758 3407 Bookings Recommended 4 Schuss Street, Falls Creek. Map Ref: J3
Located front of Karelia Lodge on Parallel St Opens from 12noon until 4pm Daily! Mountain Staff Special Famous goulash pies or soup: $10
Capturing the moody elements and the absolute beauty of the Bogong High Plains in summer. Pic – David Rosendale
DISABLED WINTERSPORT AUSTRALIA
Guide Training and Brodie Shaw
DWA trained over 12 new guides last weekend. DWA Guides are an extremely necessary part of DWA’s volunteer support services, without them all assistance and camps would not operate. New qualified guides assist with DWA Camps on weekends and assist Pete Hull during the week through the DWA Resort Services Program. While DWA Camps are great and extensive just as important are the individuals who want to ski mid-week with DWA assistance.
Brodie Shaw was one of the DWA members who had for a long time wanted to go to visit the snow.
Brodie Shaw had never sit-skied before and this was her first journey to the snow and to Falls Creek. Brodie’s Cerebral Palsy (CP) restricts several activities but Sit Skiing has been on Brodie’s bucket list for quite some time.
Peter Hull from DWA was contacted through Falls Creek Resort Management and Pete was the sole primary guide and found out after one or two runs that Brodie loved going fast. Pete decided to safely increase the speed from a cruising turn to a more dynamic turn and Brodie immediately could be heard laughing in her own special way by other skiers many metres away. Pete then decided to explore and guide Brodie through the snow banks and trees of Wombats Ramble after the fresh weekend snow fall and what a thrill that was for Brodie.
Not to be outdone by the terrain park on Drovers, Pete manoeuvred 360-degree turns that thrilled Brodie and all the onlookers. At the end of the day about eight runs were completed on the new DWA Dynamique Sit Ski and Brodie still had that beautiful smile on her face.
Although restricted in her activities Brodie is a very adventurous person as her accomplishments have also included surfing on a bean bag, indoor sky-diving, paddle boarding and hiking on a trail road. Now with Sit Skiing added to this impressive and
comprehensive list Brodie stated it was her favourite with a glass of champagne. Not while sit skiing of course but as a part of the après ski life that we all enjoy.
Well done Pete and Brodie - the smile says it all!!
If you would like to be part of Resort Services as a guide email Pete Hull at phull@disabledwintersport.com.au to find out about training and upcoming guiding opportunities. If you would like more information about DWA and our Resort Services Program, or donate to support our work, head to www.disabledwintersport. com.au. • Pete Hull
in front of the fire. For
DWA’s Resort Services Guide, Pete Hull and Brodie at Halley’s Comet - about to start their weekend of adventure. Pic – Courtesy DWA
Down the Plastics Rabbit Hole
With all the biomechanical talk of the last few articles Ray, our Boot-fitter and Industrial designer, was feeling a bit left out and I could sense that he wanted to spew forth some techy techy stuff about boots. So, I’ve let him have the reigns on this one. (Under close supervision…)
We all know that ‘Oils ain’t Oils’ and let me tell you: plastics ain’t plastics. To the uninitiated there is an infinite number of plastics out there, all with their own brand names and grades. But as far as ski boots are concerned, we only really care about three types of plastics, and even then there’s only really two that really matter (to the more enthusiastic boot-fitting nerds among us). We’re not going to get too techy because the world of plastics is enormous, complicated, varied, won’t help you much and it’s a deep rabbit hole to go down accidentally… so we’ll talk about the generalities of plastic only.
Let’s start in the middle, because that’s probably 80% of the skiing world. Polyurethane is the boot plastic of choice, its key qualities are: rebound, mouldability (holds a punch) and it grinds well. As a general rule, the downside is that its stiffness changes drastically with temperature, so make sure your bootfitter understands this and takes it into account. A floppy boot in Spring is as comfortable and effective as a sofa bed mattress.
A lot of touring boots are incorporating Polyamide (nylons). This makes them much lighter, more expensive and slightly different to work with as far as expanding and grinding is concerned – a good bootfitter should understand this.
Race boots most often use PolyurethaneEther, an expensive Polyurethane blend.
COMFORTABLE SKIING
The other thing to take into account regarding plastics in ski boots is: how much plastic or how thick is the plastic in your boot?
The big thing in boots at the moment is making boots lighter. You can do this by using more high-quality plastics (more expensive) or you can use less plastic in each boot (cheaper). Both approaches have challenges.
World Cup boots, or race boots in general, will have a fairly uniform and thick wall plastic. This makes for a stiff boot with great rebound characteristics and feel and response in all directions.
To decrease the weight of a boot, the manufacturer will often remove plastic from areas of the boot that are not supporting the key directions of force in a ski boot, ie. forwards and to the inside edge. This is great for most people, the downside is that if you need to expand or modify these boots in any way you can have a noticeable effect on how the boot skis, and in some cases
J.B.’S
A CT Scan of a ski boot and the relevant thicknesses. Image – Courtesy https://www.tec-eurolab.com
cause the boot to ‘collapse’ as the shape becomes critical to how the boot supports you.
Make sure your boot fitter has a plan for any mods they expect to make to your boots and that the boot they choose for you can accommodate these modifications. •
Ray Wills
Boot fitter at Ortho Ski
FALLS CREEK PRIMARY
Wins
Victorian XC
Interschools
Twelve students from Falls Creek Primary School travelled to Mount Buller on Sunday 4th August to compete in the Subaru Victorian Cross Country Interschools Championships. This event is open to all Victorian schools and attracts around 350 competitors each year. The event consisted of an individual classic race in the morning, (which also had a team category), and a skating relay in the afternoon in teams of three. The categories our school competed in were division four (grades 5 and 6), and division five (grades 2, 3 and 4).
The Division 4 Boys teams consisted of Beau Duggan, Ben Weir and Madox Grayling and they were the first to race. Beau had the best result finishing in 9th place with Ben in 12th and Madox 27th. Their combined times put them in the 5th position as a team.
In the skating relay after lunch the boys had a great race and finished on the podium, taking out the silver medal.
Division 4 girls, Abbie Hams, Skye Pringle and Teagan Christie were all new to cross country racing but they all skied very stongly in a field of over 50 girls. In the classic race all three girls finished mid-field, giving them 8th place as a team, and in the skate relay they improved their performance finishing in 5th position.
In the younger age-group grade 2, 3 & 4 boys, Jasper Wong, Darcy Moon and Tully Duggan had fantastic results in the classic race. Jasper and Darcy took out the silver and bronze medals as individuals, with Tully placing 7th and their combined results gave them the team gold medal. They continued their excellent form in the afternoon, skating hard to finish in gold medal position in the relay.
Division 5 Girls, Evie Armitage, Ava Moegel and Lexie Grayling faced strong competition from girls much older and taller than them, but showed amazing determination. In the classic race Ava finished 4th; Evie 6th and Lexie 25th,
putting them on the podium in the bronze medal position as a team. In the skating relay they showed how tough they were in the softening snow conditions, finishing on the podium again, this time in silver medal position.
At the end of the day the trophy for Champion Co-Ed Primary School is awarded and this is always hotly contested between our tiny school, Geelong Grammar and Melbourne Grammar. This year we were extremely excited to bring the trophy back to Falls Creek, with our students finishing with a massive 72 points, ahead of Geelong Grammar on 51 points and Melbourne Grammar with 35. It was great to see the teamwork and positive attitude of all our students. Many thanks go to our fantastic group of parent helpers for all their support. This event is a real team effort and we are particularly proud of our students’ achievement as they learn to cross country ski as part of our school sports program, taught by our school staff. • Well done everyone! Ed
Our fabulous team: Lft to Rht: Ben Weir, Madox Grayling, Beau Duggan, Darcy Moon, Jasper Wong, Tully Duggan, Abbie Hams, Skye Pringle, Teagan Christie, Evie Armitage, Ava Moegel and Lexie Grayling. Pic – Courtesy Falls Creek Primary
Welcome To Our 29th Event
On behalf of the Organising Committee it is a great pleasure to welcome all participants and supporters to Falls Creek for the 2019 Kangaroo Hoppet. With skiers from 16 nations already entered - the resort will really be living up to the tagline ‘The Fourth Saturday in August – When the World Comes to Falls Creek’.
Regardless of whether you have travelled 1km or 15,000km to be with us I hope that you all enjoy the warm hospitality and atmosphere that the Hoppet, with a lot of help from our friends in the local communities, manages to deliver to our skiing friends from around the world each year at Falls Creek.
Travelling, meeting old friends, making new ones and enjoying skiing is what the founders of Worldloppet had in mind 42 years ago when they met in Uppsala
International Night Sprints
Want fast and furious racing? Want to see serious thrills and spills?
Well then look no further than the 2019 International Night Sprints on Thursday Night, the 22nd. With some of the fittest and fastest athletes in the world coming up to Falls Creek for the Kangaroo Hoppet, the 2019 International Night Sprints is the perfect opportunity to size up your bet for who will take the line honours in the 29th Running of the Kangaroo Hoppet.
(SWE) to form the federation, and the Worldloppet Master award was established as a goal to encourage achievement of this aim. I think it fairly unlikely that they envisaged how successful this award would become, or that skiers would take on the challenge of achieving multiple awards, certainly not to the extent of French skier Hannes Larsson who has 34 Worldloppet medals in his collection. There are seventy six Australian skiers on the Worldloppet Master Honour Roll, led by Marg Hayes with seven awards closely followed by her partner Bruce Wharrie with six.
While welcoming skiers and friends to the event, I would like also take the liberty of
So what exactly will be happening?
Racing will kick off in front of the newly revamped Frying Pan Inn in the Village Bowl at 6pm on Thursday Evening (just before the fantastic Falls Creek Night Show). The races will be run in a ‘sprint’ format, which will see up to four skiers race head to head in a knock-out format leading all the way to a final which will have the big dollars on the line.
Who to look out for?
Will it be 2019 Australian sprint champion Kat Paul, Australian 10km title holder Casey Wright, or will some international foe steal their thunder? In the men’s, will home grown Olympian and all round nice-guy Phil Bellingham notch another win on his home turf, or will it be one of the international field which includes skiers from Italy, Switzerland and Sweden who top the podium?
None the less, I know for a fact that it will be exhilarating racing which will through up some interesting results. So why not come down, cheer on the fittest on the planet, have beverage and then hang
speaking on your behalf to acknowledge and thank the groups without whom there would not be an event – our major sponsor AGL Energy, supporting sponsors Brazen Brownies, Fischer, Rojo and Elude; our major partner Falls Creek Alpine Resort, supporting partners 4Site, Alpine Shire, Howman’s Gap Alpine Centre, Falls Creek SES and Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club together with the members of our organising committees, race office staff and our small army of volunteers from the local and cross country skiing communities. Have a great day. •
Allan Marsland OAM Chairman, Kangaroo Hoppet
around for the night show? You won’t be disappointed! •
Hoppet Waxing
The National Team is running a waxing service again, with support from the YMCA Falls Creek Cross Country Centre. Skis can be dropped off at the Nordic Centre at Windy Corner between Monday 19th August and midday on Friday 23rd August, and picked up from the same place on the Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. All money goes towards the XC Towards 2022 fundraising campaign supporting Australian athletes preparing for the 2020 World Junior/U23 Championships and the 2022 winter Olympics. There are two options, $40 or $70, both include structure and a High Fluor underlayer, and the $70 job includes a Fluor Powder as the final layer. Not only is it for a good cause, but some of the nation’s best wax tech will be able to perform some wizardry on your skis to help you achieve your Hoppet goals for 2018. To be sure of not missing out you can book your skis in online at https://www. skiandsnowboard.org.au/events/25165/ For any questions contact Tom McMahon on 0439 427 562. •
KANGAROO HOPPET WEEK 2019
2019 HOPPET SHOP
Opening Hours
Saturday 17th Aug 2pm - 6pm
Sunday 18th Aug 2pm - 6pm
Monday 19th Aug 2pm - 6pm
Tuesday 20th Aug 2pm - 6pm
Wednesday 21st Aug 2pm - 6pm
Thursday 23rd Aug 2pm - 6pm
Friday 23rd Aug 10am -12midnight
Saturday 24th Aug 6.30am - 8:30am
(Race Day) 2pm - 6pm
Sunday 25th Aug 9am - 3pm
Hoppet Passports and Results will be available at the Presentation Venue:
The Mount Beauty Community Centre, Kiewa Crescent
Saturday 24th Aug, 7pm - 9pm
Sunday 25th Aug in the Hoppet Shop
Visitors and community members who are not involved in the event are also welcome to visit the Hoppet Shop and Race Office to check out the results, the souvenir merchandise and the Hoppet Dozen.
There are over 30 volunteers helping in the Hoppet Shop/Race Office, many of them don’t even go near the snow, but they are always happy to support the event.
Kangaroo Hoppet Race Office
Open Saturday 17th to Sunday 25th
August
Located next to the Visitor Information Centre in ‘The Auditorium’ on the left as you approach Mount Beauty.
This is your One Stop Hoppet Shop and you can:
• Collect race numbers.
• Check out the range of Hoppet clothing and souvenir items.
• Check out the Hoppet Dozen featuring wines from the King Valley and Alpine Valleys wine regions.
• Worldloppet Passports available for purchase.
• Enter the race. Late entries accepted until 4pm Friday 23th August.
• Catch up with friends and check out who is here this year.
THE PROGRAM
Falls Creek International Night Sprints
Thursday 22nd August - Falls Creek Village Bowl.
6pm. Outside the Frying Pan Inn (at the bottom of the Summit Chairlift).
Australia’s top sprinters take on the rest of the world in an exciting series of knockout sprints.
Get a complimentary ride up the Gully Chairlift to the Village Bowl. Stay on after for the Summit Night Show Spectacular and Fireworks.
Falls Creek Summit Night Show Spectacular & Fireworks
Thursday 22nd August – Falls Creek Village Bowl
7pm. Outside the Frying Pan Inn (at the bottom of the Summit Chairlift).
A fabulous display of skiing and boarding put on by the talented crew at Snowsports School – followed by Live Entertainment in the Frying Pan Inn.
Worldloppet Masters & Passport Holders’ Reception
Friday 23rd August – Howman’s Gap Alpine Centre.
From 4pm. A unique chance for Worldloppet Masters and Worldloppet Passport holders from around the world to meet and see who has made it to Australia this year.
Stay on for a $25 three course meal if you wish. Pre-booking is required for the meal. Phone 5758 3228 or email howmansgap@ ymca.org.au
THE
MAIN EVENT
Saturday 24th August 2019
Falls Creek Nordic Bowl
9:30am Kangaroo Hoppet 42km
9:40am Australian Birkebeiner 21km
9:50am Joey Hoppet 7km
Presentation Ceremony
11:45am Hoppet Finish Area
Post Race Social Evening and Awards Presentation
From 6:30pm. Mount Beauty Community Centre, Kiewa Crescent, Mount Beauty –next to the Bakery.
Official Ceremonies at 7:30pm with presentations to the winners of all events, age class, school and workplace awards, AGL athlete scholarships and new Australian Worldloppet Masters. Special award badges for those who have taken part in ten Hoppets, and gold medallions to those who have completed twenty Hoppets. Spot prizes from Fischer, Brazen Brownies, Rojo, and Elude.
Grab a great curry from the Spice Trailer, enjoy a coffee, a soft drink, a beer or a wine and relax for an enjoyable evening – from 6:30pm.
When you come off the mountain and need a meal or just somewhere to hang out over a drink or snack, there are a number of choices, including Flour+Water, Roi’s Restaurant, The Mount Beauty Bakery, TakeOut, Treats, West Peak Hotel, Settlers Tavern, Stockpot Restaurant, Templar Lodge and Swiss & Chips.
Hoppet 29 - The Morning After Sunday 25th August
Appreciate Your Achievement! Hoppet Race Office
In The Auditorium, at the Mount Beauty Information Centre.
• Check results and event photos from Top Shots at the Race Office.
• Last chance for Hoppet shopping. Relax with friends over a coffee and brunch at Flour+Water, The Bakery, Treats, Stockpot, Rocky Valley Snowsports, and then maybe check out the local wineries on the way home. •
KANGAROO HOPPET 2019
Who’s Who This Year?
The 2019 Kangaroo Hoppet is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested events for many years. A strong international contingent, supported by an experienced Australian team, will provide a great spectacle for all participants and spectators in the Falls Creek Nordic Bowl this coming Saturday 24th August.
In the men’s field a trio of Swiss stars including; Olympian and four-time Hoppet champion Valerio Leccardi, marathon specialist Lauro Braendli and World Cup Sprint finalist Fabian Schaad will be looking for a team advantage on the start line. However, competing with the Swiss will also be a trio of Italian Olympic and World Championship athletes including Enrico Nizzi, world junior medallist Giacomo Gabrielli and Italian junior sprint champion, Francois Vierin.
A very strong domestic team will be alongside the internationals with the intent to retain the big prize in Australia. Fourtime runner up, and local Falls Creek dualOlympian, Phil Bellingham will be looking to finally get his name on the trophy after being so close for so many years. However, it might be the rising stars in Mark Pollock and Seve de Campo that can bring it home for the locals.
The women’s event will be equally closely contested with a great mix of local and international athletes showcasing the elite field. Canadian Erin Yungblut and Russian Arina Kalinina are both looking great on paper, ready to challenge a
strong Australian contingent including Asian Games medallist and PyongChang Olympian Casey Wright. Casey is fresh from a four-year stint on the NCAA for Alaska University and will be looking for a big result down under. Perennial favourite, Aimee Watson, will be back for another crack and will draw on her strength if the conditions become tough. Both the women’s and men’s events will be a spectacle to delight everyone.
AGL are again supporting our up-andcoming Australian skiers with $8000 worth of scholarships designed to support up and coming athletes in their chosen XC pathways.
The Hoppet is the biggest snow-sports event in the southern hemisphere and with 7km, 21km and the premier 42km event, there is a wonderful experience for skiers of all ages and abilities. More information can be found at www.hoppet.com.au. •
$35
Saturdays & Wednesdays
$10 Small Pizza 4pm - 6pm
For Menu and further info, visit: www.snowlands.com/thelasthoot Slalom Plaza (opp Halley’s Comet)
Ph: 03 5758 3088 Map Ref: F3
AGL SCHOLARSHIPS
$8000 At This Year’s Hoppet
AGL Head of Renewables Simon Kelley announced this week that the eight AGL Energy Scholarships awarded annually at the Kangaroo Hoppet would increase from $500 to $1,000 per scholarship. These scholarships are awarded to the first Australian man and woman in the following categories. First Australian man and woman in the 42km main event of the Kangaroo Hoppet, the first U23 man and woman in the 21km event, and the first U18 and U14 boy and girl in the 7km. Our 2019 event will be held in eight days time at Falls Creek on Saturday 24th August.
“We recognise that participating in top flight sport comes at a financial cost, which is why we created these scholarships that provide funds for our younger developing skiers to assist with training and development and, for our elite skiers, to offer a reward for the immense effort and dedication needed for these athletes to reach the top of their field” said Mr Kelley.
Ben Derrick, Kangaroo Hoppet Race Director and Ski and Snowboard Australia XC Chair, praised the generous offer from AGL. “These scholarships represent the great community spirit from AGL that has been genuinely appreciated by many of our skiing community over the last decade, from past Olympians down to the developing skiers coming through our pathway programs. Support from AGL, not just to stage the event, but to develop and grow our sport is a wonderful contribution to what is for so many people a lifetime sporting and recreational activity.” •
AGL Head of Renewables Simon Kelley, with last year’s scholarship winners, from left: From left. Phill Bellingham. Barbara Jezersek, Hugo Hinckfuss, Darcie Morton, Nick Blackwell, Zana Evans, Jayden Spring, Heli Laajoki. Pic – Mike @ Top Shots
The 2019 Hoppet Dozen
The Hoppet Dozen, available only from the Kangaroo Hoppet Race Office in Mount Beauty, with the option of either six whites or six reds, provides skiers with a unique chance to sample wines from four of our local regional wineries.
The sheltered alpine valleys of north east Victoria have established a reputation for high quality cool climate wines. The Alpine Valleys wine region takes in the Kiewa, Ovens, Buckland and Buffalo River Valleys, while the adjoining King River Valley to the west is a region in its own right. The cool nights and the reliable natural rainfall of the alpine valleys combine with the warm days from being north of the Great Dividing Range to reduce transpiration rates, creating ideal ripening conditions that maximise the natural sugars, esters and acids in the grapes leading to intense fruit flavours.
A quick glance the list selected for this year’s selection throws up three names that need a bit of an explanation - Bianco, Rosso and Gris de Gris. The Bianco and Rosso are from Sam Miranda’s Ballerina range with their distinctive ballet dancer label. While it is easy to just say bianco is Italian for white, we can go into a bit more detail and say that if you were in the area around Soave, about half an hour’s drive east of Verona, and you found this style of wine, chances are that it would be called Soave and consist of at least 70% Garganega. However since you are in north east Victoria you have to find another name and call it ‘Soave style’, or the EU geographic names folk would be cross. The Rosso is much simpler, rosso
is Italian for red and it is red wine. To be precise, a very nice blend of Shiraz and Barbera.
Which brings us to the Gris de Gris from Feathertop winery. As you might hazard a guess, it has something to do with Pinot Gris, and you would be right. The grapes were picked a bit earlier than usual and the result is a wine more in the style you would expect of a Pinot Grigio. The style was inspired by a wine of this name that Feathertop owner Kel Boynton came across in a café in Paris. To find out just which street in Paris, you will have to acquire a bottle and read the label.
White Wines
Sam Miranda Wines. Snow Road, Oxley.
NV Sam Miranda Prosecco
2018 Bianco (Soave style)
2017 Sam Miranda Pinot Grigio
Boynton’s Feathertop Winery, Great Alpine Road, Porepunkah.
2018 Gris de Gris (Pinot Gris) Gapsted Wines. Great Alpine Road.
Fuel up the mornings - recharge the days relax the evenings
Super convenient location at the base of Eagle Chair
2018 Ballerina Canopy
Chardonnay
2018 Valley Selection Reisling
Red Wines
Sam Miranda Wines. Snow Road, Oxley.
2017 Rosso (Barbera/Shiraz)
2017 Mountain Range Cabernet
Boynton’s Feathertop Winery, Great Alpine Road, Porepunkah
2015 Shiraz
Gapsted Wines. Great Alpine Road.
2018 High Country Tempranillo
2017 Valley Selection Cabernet / Merlot
Ceccanti Kiewa Valley Wines. Bay Creek Lane, Mongans Bridge.
2016 Cabernet / Merlot
Even if you can’t make it to the Hoppet Office during Hoppet Week, there is no excuse not to drop in on one of these cellar doors to try out the wines on offer and take some home to share with friends. •
Last years Hoppet Dozen was a huge hit. Make sure you get the new dozen this year! Pic - Ken Bell.
CROSS COUNTRY NEWS
Big Dance Approaching
The Kangaroo Hoppet, the big dance, is just over a week away now. We are getting excited. The race that puts Australia on the globe, this sunburnt country, known for its beaches, red earth and shrimps on the barbie, we - as a cross country skiing community get to show the world what we are about! And we have a pretty good presentation at that!
The 42km Kangaroo Hoppet marathon race is part of the Worldloppet ski marathon series whereby each country that has snow or some sort of skiing culture, hosts a marathon in their backyard. Ours is next Saturday the 24th. This year will be the 29th Hoppet as we look back to 1990 where it all began. This week, as we get in Hoppet spirit, I take our focus back to 1990, where it all began. Who came up with the idea? Who designed the course? What was the course? Who won?
How Did The Hoppet Start?
In 1997, inspired by the Norwegian Ski Culture and most importantly the famous
54km ski marathon in Norway known as the Birkebeiner Ski Race, a group of skiers from Mount Beauty decided to form a ski club known as the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club. Two years later the members of the club decided to bring a little taste of Norway down to Australia and they held a 25km Australian Birkebeiner where each of the 80 or so participants carried a 5kg pack (to symbolise the baby King Haakon who was rescued many years ago by Norwegian soldiers).
After ten years of running this event, in 1989, it was decided that it was time to put Australia officially on the map as a real deal XC country and begin to create a Worldloppet race down under. In 1989 a bunch of ski loving, Crocodile Dundees gave it a crack and held a great 42km ski race named the Australian Birkebeiner Ski Marathon including a 21km ‘Birkebeiner’ event and a 7km ‘Birkebeiner Lite.’
Interestingly classic technique was the choice this year, just like the Norwegian one. This was an astounding success.
A lot of hard work, a butt load of Faxing (no email back then) and a plane trip to Haamaliina (Finland) in June 1990 between Mount Beauty locals and the Worldloppet committee. The Worldloppet committee sent down a Norwegian, an Austrian and
an American to survey the course. The ‘Australian International Ski Marathon’ had to be held in 1990 as a test event to prove that it could work. This event was in free technique.
The international crew liked what they saw, except they wanted a new name.
With the fantastic aid of Paul L’Huillier I have been able to find the exact minutes of the meeting in which the name ‘Kangaroo Hoppet’ was realised, enjoy; ‘Too hard... let’s have a drink’. Kangaroos are Australian. Kangaroos hop. Hopp is a word in Scandinavia meaning ski jump (or so some local linguistic expert claimed). Loppet is a Swedish word meaning bloody long ski race. ‘Let us open another bottle of this excellent north east Victorian red wine’. Kangaroo loppet Kangaroo hop .. ‘Aargh! Someone go out and get another bottle’.. Kangaroo Hoppet!
There it was, The Kangaroo Hoppet, a global event! To think they didn’t believe us that there was snow in Australia…
Thanks to the unsung heroes, a few pioneers of the first Kangaroo Hoppet; Paul L’Huillier (National Cross Country Skiing Development Officer and Coaching Director and Club member), Allan Marsland (Executive Officer and Club member), Bob Lawton (ChairmanAustralian Ski Federation), Peter Keage (Alpine Resorts Commission), Phil Bentley (CEO Alpine Resorts Commission) and Richard Green (Chairman - Falls Creek Resort Management Board). Government departments and agencies that supported the event were: Alpine Resorts Commission, Falls Creek Resort Management, Tourism Victoria, Sport and Recreation Victoria, State Electricity Commission, Parks Victoria and the Shire of Bright (now the Alpine Shire).
CROSS COUNTRY NEWS
The First Kangaroo Hoppet
The first Kangaroo Hoppet started with a delay in start date, with unbelievable snow falls in 24hrs, the race was postponed by a day. A beautiful Blue Bird day (as Teehom would say) met competitors.
With the USA Ski team down at the time, John Aalberg from America took out the first title and Betsy Youngman also from USA won the female class.
Why Is The Kangaroo Hoppet Special?
There’s a wattle blooming every day, somewhere in our land,
From the misty alpine passes to the burning desert sand.
The Hoppet is a chance to show off Australia’s unique snow covered landscape to the rest of the world. It is Australia’s chance to show that we are not just a place to go to the beach or get bitten by a snake, we are actually connected to that Scandinavian/European ski culture.
From the Eastern coastal fringes where the wattle grows the best,
To the lonely rugged gorges of the Kimberley out West.
Fully licensed restaurant
Renowned Dining and Wines
Hand-made Pasta ~ Slow-braised meats ~ World’s best Pork Chop ~ amongst other un-worldly delights by Roi!
Hand-churned fruit ice-cream - to die for!
Hand-made Pasta ~ Slow-braised meats ~ World’s best Pork Chop ~ amongst other un-worldly delights by Roi!Hand-churned fruit ice-cream.
AGE Good Food Guide since 1998
Lonely Planet Guide
Open until Saturday February 17th. Then closed for three weeks.
Re-Opening Friday March 9th
Bookings Please! – Gift Vouchers available
Ph 03 5754 4495
AUSTRALIAN WATTLE
177 Kiewa Valley Highway, Tawonga
The Hoppet is the friendly and relaxed approach to life of the Australian. Australians also love to participate in sport, and the Kangaroo Hoppet caters for this passion by offering not only the main 42km and the 21km event, but also a 7km event that attracts a diverse group of skiers, ranging from elite juniors to parents, grandparents, babies in pulkes and first time skiers.
To the poppy-fields of Flanders, beneath the cannons’ roar.
The wattle is our symbol, and a hundred years before Henry Lawson wrote of the shearers’ strikes he saw---
Race News
“We’ll make the tyrants feel the sting o’ those that they would throttle, They needn’t say the fault is ours if blood should stain the wattle.”
Of all the native trees the wattle wins the test, For it blooms in golden trusses and the wild birds make their nest.
High up in the canopy, well in from the borders,
Quick race report; the Rocky Valley Rush was last weekend. Lauro Brandlii found some form and won the 15km event ahead of a healthy Mark Pollock and big bodied midfielder Phil Bellingham (potentially a few too many hard ball gets the day before Phil?). In the women’s 15km, Iris Pessey showed she is not just an uphill runner to win gold in front of Kat Paul and Aimee Watson. Casey Wright and Jayden Spring were winners of the 7.5km event.
The scenery is superb, but you’ve got bigger things to worry about - like the cost of this thing they’re about to load you in to. “It’s OK; I’ve got Victorian Ambulance cover” Pic - Courtesy Ambulance Victoria. For further information on ambulance memberships, call 1800 648 484 or visit the website www.ambulance.vic.gov.au. A further bit of good news is that you can ring the above number, give them your details, pay by credit card and you are covered by 5pm the next day. You can do the same by jumping on to the website. If you don’t have a credit card, go to your local Post Office and it can all be done there. •
The Diggers kept the wattle close --- those brave and hardened men,
And the wattle was their talisman, to get back home again.
This weekend racing turns to Perisher, NSW, where we see part two of the Australian National Championships. Great conditions are awaiting, and competitors get to show their stuff in a skate spring on Saturday and a 10/5km classic distance on Sunday. Good luck to all! •
Seve de Campo
Australians love the wattle, and the mighty river gums,
That grow up on the Murray, and no matter what fate comes,
No matter where we travel, no matter where we roam
It’s the Wattle and the Redgum that draw our hearts back home.
Falls Creek
Sprigs of wattle went along when Aussies left for war,
The very first Kangaroo Hoppet Poster featuring 1988 Calgary Olympian Chris Heberle and picture taken by your Ed. Poster image supplied courtesy Paul L’Huillier LOUNGE BAR & RESTAURANT
RACE CLUB NEWS
Put A Lid On It!
Amongst the fun we’ve had over the past two months skiing, boarding, racing and competing in various events, it’s worth remembering that hurling yourself down a slope at high speed with skis or a snowboard strapped to your legs can be a risky activity. We’re used to seeing Ski Patrol out and about helping people when they do sustain an obvious injury. But, what about when the injury isn’t immediately obvious? Or when you stubbornly refuse to accept that you might be injured for the first 12 or so hours after the crash?
During the school holidays Race Club facilitated a Concussion Awareness Seminar for our 212 members. Frankie from Altitude Physiotherapy Falls Creek kindly ran the Concussion Awareness Information Seminar and gave a really informative and educational presentation to help parents and children better recognise the signs of concussion and to manage a diagnosed concussion.
Frankie also very generously offered all Falls
MOUNT BEAUTY BAKERY
Your favourite local coffee spot
Proud to support the Kangaroo Hoppet
Drive to the Conditions
The means slow enough to avoid an mishaps – like losing your steering because your front wheels lock up when you put the brakes on –and you slide in to a ditch (at best!). Get rid of ALL of the snow from your car – it’s dangerous!
Carry chains (for your drive wheels), gloves (for your hands), mat (to keel on), torch (to see), and knowledge (to know how and when to fit and remove chains).
A Motoring Tip brought to you by Rick at Mount
Creek Race Club members’ access to the Concussion Sideline Course from Complete Concussion Management. Complete Concussion Management specialises in evidence based concussion care. This course is designed to equip those on the frontlines with a basic understanding of what a concussion is, how to recognise them, and how to safely manage a concussed athlete back into the classroom and the sporting environment.
So, a few Saturdays back, after a bit of a crash while doing Race Club’s Saturday Masters’ program (caught an edge, rebalanced, caught my opposite edge, lost both skis, both stocks, took out the fabric part of the race gate, summersaulted once or twice, lost a glove and my goggles), the thought that I may have a concussion did cross my mind – briefly - before I ignored it for the next 12 hours.
But the next day, the signs of concussion were harder to ignore. Nausea, headache, insomnia, considerably slowed thinking, tiredness, inability to find the words I wanted to use, and problems concentrating were all present and banging loudly on my brain for recognition.
If you search Ski & Snowboard Australia’s website for concussion, you’ll find the
following statement (amongst lots of other details). ‘All concussions are serious and may be caused by a direct blow to the head, face or neck, or by impact elsewhere on the body, with force transmitted to the head. It is a brain injury that can occur without a loss of consciousness that causes a disturbances of brain function with resolutions usually proceeding smoothly over days to weeks, but in some cases, symptoms are prolonged,’ coupled with the handy hint to ‘remember: If in doubt, sit them out.’
So I sat myself out from skiing and took myself along to the physio for a concussion test. In the end, it turned out I had concussion and whiplash. I mean, if you’re going to do something, you may as well do it properly. Was I wearing a helmet? Yes I was. Am I glad I was wearing a helmet? Yes I am.
Many of us will remember hearing the news that Formula 1 racing car driver Michael Schumacher fell and hit his head while skiing off-piste in Méribel, France. Although he was wearing a helmet, he suffered a serious head injury, and spent almost six months in a medically induced coma. Following the accident, equipment retailers said they had seen a spike in helmet sales – dubbed ‘the Schumacher effect’ – but a 2015 survey revealed that one-third of British skiers and snowboarders still did not wear a helmet on the slopes. 2
Anecdotally, I’ve always been impressed by how many visitors and locals at Falls Creek wear helmets. It of course helps that our Ski School as a ‘no helmet - no work’ policy, and ‘no helmet no lesson/competition’ policy. Go Falls! Each time I visit Buller for the Vic Interschool’s competition, I’m amazed to see how many people don’t wear helmets. Last year when I visited Thredbo for the first time in 20 years, I was astonished to see ski
RACE CLUB NEWS
metres so far this week and the conditions are perfect to ‘keep on pumping!’ Falls Creek Museum
patrollers and race coaches working without helmets. But as they used to say: different strokes for different folks. No judgement, just lots and lots of surprise. Because Schumacher’s accident really did have an impact on the general public’s helmet awareness.
To maximise your appreciation of the resort, a visit to the museum is a must. Open from 12noon until 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday, the museum is fantastic. There are many relics and some great films from many days back and it presents a fantastic insight into how our village grew.
Speaking of museum, the historical society – and in particular one Karen Smythe –has done a fabulous job of putting this
As ‘Miss Snow It All’ says “fifteen years ago, Australian ski fields were a very different place. The snowsuits were one-pieces, the skis were straight, the snowboards were rare – and so were the helmets. But the snowy tides have shifted significantly over the seasons. The Australian Ski Areas Association (ASSA) has released statistics from research conducted across every Australian ski resort during July 2018 –80.8% of skiers and snowboarders from a sample size of 29,000 participants were wearing a helmet – up from 76.4% in 2017 and 72.2% in 2016. This is the highest level of helmet usage recorded in Australia’s resorts since survey data first began to be compiled in 2013. Interestingly, the single biggest increase in helmet use between seasons was from 2013 to 2014. In 2013, 57.4% of boarders and skiers had a lid on it when they headed out on the slopes. During the 2014 winter season, data from the ASSA found that helmet usage rate was 67.0%”. 3
“In what is claimed to be the first UK tests to measure the impact of crashes on the slopes using dummies, the TRL found wearing a helmet dramatically decreases the risk of serious head injury or death. The study, in association with the insurance company, Direct Line, simulated collisions with a crash test dummy hitting a tree at speed, up to 12mph with and without a helmet – and with a helmet at 19mph. A proposed test at the same speed without a helmet was not carried out as results suggested the test would destroy the dummy, and such a crash would kill a human”.
The Schumacher Effect – and Nyree’s personal experience backs up the resort attitude.
Travelling to Falls Creek this winter?
Leave the worries of hiring and fitting chains, coping with anti-freeze and icy roads behind you!
WINTER EDITION SEVENTEEN
AD PROOF
You are invited to the 5th Annual “Falls Creek Meeting” 4:30pm to 6:30pm Sunday 9th June 2019 at Elk. Drinks at bar prices. Nibbles provided.
“Scientists at the TRL concluded skiers and snowboarders without a helmet experienced up to four times as much g force on the head than those wearing a helmet. They also found the heads of those involved in a crash at 20kph encounter nearly two tonnes of g force if not wearing a helmet”. 4
I have no idea how fast I was going a few Saturdays ago while I was doing gates training on Father Fosters. Slower than the U16 & FIS groups - waaaaay slower - but probably faster than your average punter as a basic guestimate goes. But it was fast enough that when I hit the ground, it had an impact. Even with a brand new MIPS helmet snugly attached to my head.
Park your car in the secure car-park in Tawonga South and ride our comfortable warm coach to Falls Creek!
FRIDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 2017
Will wearing a helmet prevent a serious brain injury, such as concussion? No. That’s the cold hard truth of the matter. But if you crash, it may limit the severity of the injury you incur. So… be safe out there people. Ski in control; try not to catch an edge and most of all wear a helmet. You only get one set of brain cells to operate your body with. And they are precious. •
Cheers, Nyree Fiddes - Falls Creek Race Club
Telemark – Touring –Recreational and a range of Snowboards. König & V2 Chains – and we can supply magnetic
2 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ski/news/researchshows-ski-helmets-do-not-prevent-concussion/
3 https://www.snowsbest.com/helmet-report/
4 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ski/news/Ski-crashstudy-offers-verdict-on-helmets/
In an article written by Hugh Morris in 2013 for British newspaper the Telegraph, Hugh commented “a head-on ski or snowboard collision at 19mph without a helmet could be fatal, while a 12mph crash is likely to cause a serious head injury, according to new research by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL)”.
Daily departures from Melbourne, Albury and Mount Beauty will have you on the slopes sooner – without the fuss!!
This is not really a meeting, it’s more about meeting others and catching up with old friends and kicking off the new season with a bang! (read hangover).
Meet Resort Management CEO Stuart Smythe and Falls Creek Ski Lifts GM Sharon Raguse and get an update on preparation for the upcoming Winter. You will also hear about Mountain Film returning to Falls Creek for the 2nd year on Sunday 29 July. Don’t miss it! •
Visit the Bogong Power Station Information Centre
A ski lodge atmosphere at off-mountain prices
For historical & geological exhibits. Now open Sundays 10:30am - 2:30pm Bogong Alpine Village Group Bookings - Phone 03 5754 3318
LOCAL RADIO
In
A family friendly lodge situated in the beautiful Kiewa Valley offering suites for individuals, couples and families, Valley View is the perfect place to kick back and relax after a long day on the slopes
Kiewa
In the Harrietville area
and snowboard racks! Gear: Sportful XC clothing & La Bent accessories Plus: Enjoy a coffee, toastie or cake on our deck or take-away!
TED “PHANTOM” WEEKS
0456 022 21 1
Emergency Services Broadcaster
3.0 CM x 1 COL $35.70
Ph: 5754 4554
SEASON CONTRACT
Email: info@alpineradio.com.au
Website: www.alpineradio.com.au
BOOKINGS: 0409 033 920 info@valleyviewlodge.com.au www.valleyviewlodge.com.au Located only 30km from Falls Creek! Find us on Facebook!
Mount Beauty Community Radio for good music, local news, snow reports and developing programs.
Kiewa Valley Highway, Tawonga South
PROPERTY OF THE WEEK
QT 403
Beautiful, modern three bedroom, three bathroom apartment, situated at the base of Halley’s Comet high speed detachable Quad chairlift - also with direct access to the carpark. You can park right at the front door and take the lift straight to your apartment. Then park your car in the overnight parking area, which is a short walk to the property.
This well-appointed apartment is 111sqm inside and has a generous terrace with a large hot tub. There are views on three sides of the property, which encompasses the Summit, up Halley’s Chairlift and across to Spion Kopje and Mt Bogong.
The apartment is sold fully furnished and managed professionally by QT management on-site all year around. It has good rental returns and the owner is able to personally use the apartment for seven weeks during the year.
There is a European laundry, owner’s storage cupboard and the bathrooms and kitchen have beautiful stone benchtops.
QT complex has a communal drying room and boot room with a ski cage for each apartment, and opens directly onto the lift-line at Halley’s Comet. It is true ski-in ski-out as well as drive right to the door.
The QT complex also offers a well-stocked supermarket (open all year round), a ski and hire shop, two restaurants (one open all year round), a coffee shop and bar.
In the summer months, (which we describe as everything not winter), the location can be easily accessed by car with adequate parking out front or nearby. Also, right outside your front door for the duration of the summer months is the mountain bike centre of Falls Creek.
While the quality of your enjoyment of Falls Creek as a winter resort is undoubted, it is the growing suite of summer activities that adds untold value to a purchase in the village.
Over the last decade, much work has gone into developing and securing summer trade. The resort now boasts in excess of 40km of mountain bike trails (with more planned) – with most being accessed from Slalom Plaza. Add to these the many kilometres of aqueducts and management vehicle tracks and your exploring, whether on foot or on your bike is endless. The Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing is an iconic Australian walk of international standard being promoted by Parks Victoria.
The afore-mentioned suite of summer activities includes Ignition – the launch of the mountain bike season; the Alpine Challenge; the Mile High Dragon Boats; the regional Longest Lunch; the Bicycle Network Peaks Challenge Falls Creek; the Easter Festival as well as regular mountain bike shuttles and Trails, Tales and Tucker guided walks.
This is a rare opportunity to secure a property in the most prestigious complex in Falls Creek. Price is $525,000. Contact Ted Weeks at Falls Creek Real Estate on 0456 022 211.
PUBLICATION SCHEDULE:
2019 WINTER PUBLICATION SCHEDULE & RATES
Ed 12 * 23.08.19 * Kangaroo Hoppet; All-In Slope Style, Rudi Pendl Night Race. (C)
Ed 13 * 30.08.19 * Kangaroo Hoppet Wrap. Aus Junior XC Sprint & Distance Champ.s. (C)
Ed 14 * 06.09.19 * Mini Series #4. Summit Masters. Australian Juniors XC Wrap. (C)
Ed 15 * 13.09.19 * Falls Freestyle Wrap. McKaos Lead Up, Summer in the Sun (C)
DISTRIBUTION:
• All accommodation houses, restaurants, businesses, club lodges and apartments in Falls Creek, Bogong Village, Mount Beauty, Tawonga South, Tawonga and Dederang, plus the RMB’s between Dederang and Tawonga and selected venues in Bright and Myrtleford.
ONLINE:
• Available in PDF form at: www.fallscreek.com.au/whatson/
INSERTS: • Not Available
ADVERTISING RATES: DISPLAY:
CLASSIFIEDS: • Like the Trading Post. Send in your Classifieds and
BUSINESS DIR.:
ENQUIRIES
Chris Griffiths live solo and acoustic is a Melbourne musician who will be playing at the Falls Creek Hotel for Happy Harvey Hour on Tuesday 20th and Thursday 22nd August between 3:30 and 5:30pm.
Chris does classic songs from The Beatles, The Eagles to Bruno Mars and all the fav’s in between.
Chris is up to 8000 shows, and has played all over the world, including, Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kiev, and Nashville, with an extensive play list and loves taking requests from the audience.
Happy Harvey Hour is an institution on Falls Creek being one of the first Happy Hours in the snowfields with a history
TRADING POST CLASSIFIEDS
Email your adverts to us and you don’t pay until you sell the goods – or until your Advert achieves the desired results. Em: kencbell@bigpond.net.au
FOR HIRE
Three Tonne Tipper and mini Excavator. Ph: 0427 942 171. FOR SALE
RM Williams Cuban Heel Boots, Bushman Tan, with added rubber protective sole. Almost brand new. Size 9 G. Retail $309.95 will sell for $250. Ph: 0400 350 488. FOR SALE
Alma Novia Wedding Dress, Size 8, High front neckline with intricate lace and beaded detail, high lace back and buttons, soft tulle A-line skirt that flows in to a beautiful train. Worn once – by mistake. $950. Ph: 0400 350 488
ALTERATIONS, DRESSMAKING & REPAIRS
Call Kerry 0407 814 114 for all sewing needs.
ALTITUDE PHYSIO & MASSAGE
Frueauf Village(below Milch Café) Ground Fl, Rm 2, 4 Schuss St, Falls Creek. Ph: 5758 3766. Em: fallscreek@altitudephysiotherapy.com.au. Wb: www.altitudephysiotherapy.com.au
BUILDING & ELECTRICAL
Duggan & Hanlon, your complete building service, please call Justin on 0458 220 879.
CIVIL CELEBRANT - HEATHER MULL
Quality Ceremonies - All Types. Mb: 0428 993 125. www.celebrant-ne-vic.com.au
DRIVING INSTRUCTION
Summit Driver Training. Tawonga based driving instruction and re-assessment. Ph Craig 0427 722 287.
ELECTRICAL
All Electrical Services. Ph: 0418 698 491. Reg No: 7923.
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR
Altitude Electrical - no job too big or small. Domestic, commercial & industrial. Contact Ben Svarc 0419 801 109.
going back to the mid 70’s. It would be interesting to get an idea of how many jugs of Harvey Wallbanger (Galliano, Vodka and Orange juice) have gone over the counter in those intervening 45 years.
Don’t miss Chris next week at Harvey’s.
L O CA L RAD I O
Alpine Radio 96.5 FM
In the Kiewa Valley
Alpine Radio 92.9 FM
In the Ovens Valley
Alpine Radio 94.5 FM
In the Harrietville area
Emergency Services Broadcaster
Mount Beauty Community Radio for good music, local news, snow reports and developing programs. Ph: 5754 4554
Email: info@alpineradio.com.au Website: www.alpineradio.com.au
TRADING POST CLASSIFIEDS
FOR SALE
One brand new pair of ASICS Tennis shoes, size 46 Euro (11.5 US). Worn once. Too tight for me. Retail Price: $159.95. Will sell for $120. Ph: 0400 350 488
WORK WANTED
Administration all-rounder looking for part-time/ casual work. Proficient with both MYOB and Xero. ABN and references available. Mb: 0478 729 259. Em:raymondroberts255@yahoo.com
NEW MOUNTAIN STAFF
Do you need linen, TV, or a bedside table, call in to the Hospital Op Shop, 1A Tawonga Crescent. Another option for clothing is the Uniting Church Op Shop on Hollonds Street. Ph: 0419 615 732.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
FREIGHT - ALB - MTB - FALLS CREEK
Remo’s Transport from Albury/Wodonga to Mount Beauty & Falls Creek Mon to Fri incl. Refrigeration Available. Ph: John or Esther 0417 414 320
HAIRDRESSER
Natalie Raymond, Birds Nest Salon, 26 Hollonds Street, Mount Beauty. Open Six days a week & evenings by appointment. Ph: 03 5754 1177.
LD’S HOME PET CARE
Pet Care & Dog Walking. Ph: Lisa: 0407 541 695
PAINTING SERVICES
Interior/Exterior, Domestic/Commercial. Obligation Free Quotes. Quality & Service Guaranteed. KLM Alpine Painting Services, Ph: Laif 0437 023 921
PHYSIOTHERAPY
Kiewa Valley Sports & Spinal Physiotherapy. 5A Hollonds St Mt Beauty. Out of hours and home visits available. HiCaps. Ph: 5754 1270.
REFRIGERATION & ELECTRICAL
Qualified Refrigeration Mechanic & Electrician available to solve problems in the Upper Kiewa Valley and Falls Creek. DC Electrical & Refrigeration. Ph: 0428 737 273.
4.7 out of 5 - Not a bad rating put up by someone else! And improvements to come this winter!!! Talk to us at:
41 Bogong High Plains Road, Mount Beauty Open 8am - 8pm weekdays 9am - 7pm W/ends & Holidays Ph:
OLD SCHOOL HARDWARE
Clothing, boots, Workwear, Insulation, Heaters! If you need it, we have it – or we’ll
VOLUNTEERS WANTED
Would you like to be more involved in the community? To learn a little more of our unique history? Then why not volunteer to help staff the Falls Creek Museum where you get to meet lots of wonderful people. To learn more, phone Margy on 03 57581200 during business hours.
CLOTHING REPAIRS
Call Marilyn Sparks, Mb: 0411 335 326. Also on Facebook private message.
MISSING BOOK
A copy of Dr. Ruth Lawrence’s Thesis on the Bogong High Plains was left in the care of Bill and Yvonne Sutton. It has been lent to some-one and not returned. If any knows anything please contact Bill or Ph Ken Bell on 0400 350 488.
STORAGE
Caravans, Vehicles, Pallets, Large Lock-up Units. Ph: 0428 361497 www.alpinewarehousing.com
TAXI & 4WD SERVICE
Mt Beauty Taxi Service. Covers Falls Creek & Albury. Ph: 0409 573 909 or 13 10 08.
COMPUTERS & SERVICE
Custom built computers, Upgrades, parts, laptops, troubleshooting, virus removal, data recovery, back-ups. Ph: Michal Trnka 5754 4637 or Mb: 0417 163 601.
CAKE MAKING & DECORATING
Elene Wood at www.studioecakes.com.au in Tawonga – for all occasions. Mb: 0409 673 192 or Em: studioecakestawonga@bigpond.com
BOWEN THERAPY & MASSAGE
Tawonga South. Ph: Heather 0428 993 125.
CARPENTRY & BUILDING SERVICES
Oztek Property Maintenance. Let us look after your home. We do bathrooms, decks, pergolas and all handyman needs. Call Dave 0466 990 862.
AUGUST
Weekly Mount Beauty Park Run. 8am Saturdays. Bicentennial Park, Lakeside Avenue. Ph: 03 5754 1118.
16th Regular Monthly Meeting of the Mount Beauty Men’s Shed group, BBQ Lunch and Guest Speaker. From 11:30am. All Welcome. Enquiries to: secretary@mountbeautymensshed.org.au
17th Wildlife Victoria Rescue and Transport Training Workshop. 10am to 4pm at the Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre. Cost is $90. Bookings Essential. Ph: 03 9445 0310 or Email: volunteer@wildlifevictoria.org.au.
17th TDFNL Rd 18. Dederang Mount Beauty V Thurgoona @ Dederang
20th Regular monthly meeting of the Mount Beauty Self Help Anxiety Support Group 7pm – 8:30pm at the Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre. Gold coin donation appreciated. Ph: 03 9830 0533.
22nd Fabulous Falls Creek Night Show Spectacular 7pm under lights on the Summit. Featuring Skiing and Boarding Demos and a fantastic Fireworks display. Ph: 03 5758 1000.
22nd Falls Creek Invitation Night Sprints 6pm in the Village Bowl, bottom of Summit outside the Frying Pan Inn. Ph: 03 5754 1045.
23rd - 25th David Rosendale Photography Exhibition. The Boardroom at QT Friday 6pm – 8pm. Sat & Sun 10am – 8pm. Em: info@davidrosendale.com.au.
24th TDFNL Qualifying Final. Venue TBC
24th All In Slope-style. 9am – 2pm. Ruined Castle Terrain Park. Falls Creek’s home-grown Slopestyle Event. Ph: 03 5758 1026.
24th Falls Creek Nordic Bowl. 9:30am: Kangaroo Hoppet, 42km. 9:40am. Australian Birkebeiner, 21km. 9:50am. Joey Hoppet, 7km. Contact the Race Secretary: 03 5754 1045.
25th TDFNL Elimination Final. Venue TBC
29th Rudi Pendl Night Race. 6pm on the Summit. In memory of an Austrian friend that embraced snow, dance, cooking and all of Falls Creek. Ph: 03 5758 1026.
31st Australian Junior XC Sprint Championships. 9:30am Falls Creek Nordic Bowl. Ph: Ann 0427 006 246.
31st TDFNL 2nd Semi Final. Venue TBC.
31st Falls Creek Light the Night – Supporting the Leukaemia Foundation 5pm to 7pm Slalom Plaza. Ph: 03 5758 1200
SEPTEMBER
1st Australian Junior XC Distance Championships 10am Falls Creek Nordic Bowl. Ph: Ann 0427 006 246.
3rd - 8th Gay Ski Week Australia. Australia’s only national Pride event: frosty, fun and fabulous. Would you like to play at Australia’s biggest alpine party? www.pointsofdifference.com or phone: 1300 990 390
5th Upper Kiewa Valley Community Association Annual General Meeting. 7:30pm at the Auditorium at the Information Centre. All members should attend and other interested folk are welcome to hear what has been achieved in the last 12 months. For further detail, Email: kpike@westnet.com.au
7th Mount Beauty Community Market, 9am – 1pm. Top end of Hollonds Street and Kiewa Crescent. You make it, you bake it, you grow it – you’re welcome! New stall holders welcome. Enquiries or to book a stall, phone Bev: 0419 289 672, or Em: bevbantick@gmail.com.
7th Snow Trek & Travel Mini Series Four. 11am Falls Creek Nordic Bowl. Ph: Lynn-Maree 0409592 226.
7th & 8th The Summit Masters. Tradition and true roots return to The Summit! This year there will be a solid day of competitive bumps skiing on the
Saturday, with the masters Giant Slalom on Sunday. 9am – 3pm each day. Further details @ 03 5758 1026
11th Regular Monthly Meeting of the Probus Club of Mount Beauty. 10am at the Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre. Regular Guest speakers and plenty of healthy activities. All Welcome. Enquiries to: Mb: 0419 514 399
12th
14th
17th
Regular Monthly Meeting of the UKV Community Association. 7:30pm in the Auditorium, beside the Mount Beauty Visitor Information Centre. All Welcome. For more info, phone: Mb: 0428 226 922.
Regular Monthly Meeting of the Mount Beauty Diabetes Support Group. 10am Lakeside Community Centre. All Welcome. Ph: 0427 544 824.
Regular monthly meeting of the Mount Beauty Self Help Anxiety Support Group 7pm – 8:30pm at the Mount Beauty Neighbourhood Centre. Gold coin donation appreciated. Ph: 03 9830 0533.
20th Regular Monthly Meeting of the Mount Beauty Men’s Shed group, AGM, BBQ Lunch and Guest Speaker. From 11:30am. All Welcome. Enquiries to: secretary@mountbeautymensshed.org.au
TIPS FOR SNOW DRIVING
Beware of Bridges - Bridges are the first to freeze and ice over in cold weather. Unlike roads which lose their temperature on their surface, bridges are exposed the wind and cold from underneath which promotes the perfect environment for black ice. Even if the roads seem okay in mild snow, use extra caution when you get to a bridge.
