Victorian ski resort Falls Creek ready for season opening

With snow having been falling on Falls Creek’s slopes since April, the resort is now ready for its 2017 season, ready to open for the Queen’s birthday long weekend on Saturday 10th June.

With resort operators reporting strong bookings, Falls Creek ramped up its pre-season with its 10th annual ‘Ice Plunge’ on 1st June, with hundreds of snowsport enthusiasts taking a dip into the freezing waters of Australia’s highest body of water, Rocky Valley Dam - raising nearly $4,000 for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) charities.

Looking forward to the season, Jo Prothero, Marketing and Communication Manager at Falls Creek Resort Management explains “Falls Creeks’ renowned ‘progression perfect’ terrain ensures something for everyone.

“First timers can hit Australia’s longest Green Run, ‘Wombats Ramble’, whilst ... the Summit and the Maze will test the more advanced, or the more adventurous can take a facilitated backcountry expedition incorporating the slopes of Mt. McKay.”

Resort entry pricing remains the same as 2016 for day and night passes with online purchasing and ‘pre-print’ ticket options ensuring ease of entry into the resort.

In addition, rest days are now included in lift tickets issued for four days and over.

Improving Falls Creek’s accessibility, Disabled Wintersports Australia (DWA), in partnership with the YMCA is completing a purpose built universally designed facility at Howmans Gap.

The $3.1 million state-of-the-art centre, scheduled to open at the beginning of August, has 36 beds, so that participants of all abilities can get out and challenge themselves on the ski fields.

Prothero adds that “during the ‘green season’ months the resort didn’t (with) extensive renovations, redevelopments and upgrades made throughout the Village.

“Investors have contributed an estimated $15 million into development across the village introducing visually stunning upgrades at Astra and Elk and enhancing the Village Central area.

“The broader improvements at various locations in aggregate represents the largest investment year since 2008 when St Falls was being developed.

“Over the summer months, the opening of stage 4 of the mountain bike trails saw riders flocking to the resort to challenge themselves on the 40 kilometres of total trail with visitation at an all-time high.

“The Flowtown trail has been a particular favourite with trail counts off the charts. Hikers, runners, road and motor cyclists alike have also kept the resort busy.

“Of worthy note was the staging of the finish of the 1st stage of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour in February and the Peaks Challenge in March. Both cement Falls Creek’s reputation as a road cycling Mecca.”

“In addition, the resort’s ambitious masterplan has received in-principle support from the Victorian Minister for Environment, Land Water and Planning and has been submitted to the Victorian Minister for Planning for consideration.

“The masterplan sets out a vision and direction for future development within the resort (and) once prioritised, along with the relevant planning approvals and funding, the commencement will begin on the next stage of Falls Creek’s transformation into an unparalleled and unique world class all-seasons alpine resort.”

For more information go to www.fallscreek.com.au

Image: Snow at Falls Creek as of 3rd June (top) and the 10th Falls Creek Ice Plunge (below). 

1st June 2017 - SNOW FALLS PROMPT EARLY SEASON OPENING FOR PERISHER 

10th January 2017 - CSIRO MODELLING PREDICTS CLIMATE CHANGE COULD SHRINK AUSTRALIA’S SKI SEASON BY 80 DAYS 

26th December 2016 - PARKS VICTORIA PLAN PROPOSES LUXURY ACCOMMODATION ON FALLS CREEK TO HOTHAM ALPINE CROSSING TRAIL

20th October 2016 - AUSTRALIA’S FIRST EVER ACCESSIBLE ALPINE ACCOMMODATION UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT FALLS CREEK 

27th April 2016 - MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS MARKS FIVE YEARS OF OPERATIONS IN AUSTRALASIA 

24th February 2016 - NEW BOARD WORKING TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR ALPINE RESORTS

10th December 2015 - VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT TURNS BACK MANAGEMENT OF ITS ALPINE RESORTS

12th September 2014 - $2.5 MILLION FOR FIRST ALL ABILITIES ALPINE ACCOMMODATION AT FALLS CREEK

11th June 2014 - FALLS CREEK OPENS FOR 2014 SNOW SEASON

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