By LISA LOGAN,
Falls Creek Chamber of Commerce president
LIFE in the mountains is all about the ups and downs, but this past month seems to have been more than most years.
While we have all been learning to live with the COVID normal we have seen another layer of uncertainty; and it has definitely been a roller coaster that all Victorians have become all too familiar with.
Yet this past month we have seen some incredible snowfalls; the joy of the fresh snow, the terrain that it opens up and enables us to explore and venture into, has been fantastic.
If you have ever stood on top of one of Victoria’s snow covered peaks and looked to the valleys below, you would know how amazing life can be here, and how fortunate we are to have something so unique and so accessible.
The joy of these moments unfortunately has been affected by our inability to share with visitors these past few weeks, so it is with some hope that the amount of snow on the ground still gives us time to share it with more visitors.
After the succession of lockdowns our focus is now on the remaining weeks of the season.
Our declared snow season concludes on Sunday, October 3.
For families the mountains are definitely calling as the season includes the entire Victorian school holidays and September is the time where we have always felt offered the best value and the better weather.
For those who have grown up with the snow holiday will recall it being one their best holidays.
It is an experience that can be enjoyed by all ages and truly have fun as a family, and it is not just about skiing.
Building a snowman or sliding down on a toboggan are experiences those memories can be built on.
Those with a more adventurous spirit may prefer to ride a snowmobile beyond lifts to see some of the splendid views or join a backcountry tour.
Local guides even take tours by ebike and touring skis for a unique adventure.
The adventures don’t stop there.
Even when the snow melts away, Falls Creek is an all–season resort – always a cool destination even in the peak of summer.
For those seeking a different pace there are short and easy hikes moments from the village to the iconic Falls Creek Hotham Crossing and many adventures in between.
Taking in some of the high country history of the alpine huts, enjoy a picnic for sunset at Australia’s highest driveable point; or trout fish at altitude.
From long distance running at the Alpine Challenge to the Mile High Dragon Boat Championships, events here have that added element of altitude.
We launch into our cycling season with the Ignition Mountain Bike three day festival in late November.
Our newest cycling event Grinduro (enduro – gravel grinder–style road race) will be held in December and the Peaks Challenge Falls Creek in March is a 235km loop which has become iconic for being one of the world's toughest and most picturesque road cycling challenges.
NB: Lisa operates Diana Alpine Lodge at Falls Creek.
Spring delight
Spring is a great time to visit Falls Creek, as the days are longer, the sun is shining and the snow is fast and firm in the morning and softens up in the afternoon.
Apres ski starts earlier and google tans abound.
There’s plenty of lovely accommodation available and it tends to be cheaper outside the peak season.
There are great places to eat and drink – from Asian fusion dining at Bob Sugar, fine dining at Astra and great barbecue food at the Frying Pan Inn, a Falls Creek institution.
Take a stroll around the village and enjoy one of the famous brownies and coffee from Milch, or book in for a degustation at Summit Ridge.
