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Environment, news, culture from the Australian Alps

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Ski resorts – safety in numbers?

Here in Australia our resorts tend to be corporate owned. For instance Mt Hotham is owned by Merlin Entertainments Group, and Thredbo is owned by Kosciuszko Thredbo, which holds the lease for the areas of Thredbo Village and Thredbo Resort and runs a number of hotel and cinema operations around the world. US-based Vail Resorts has recently bought Perisher ski resort (this includes Perisher Valley, Smiggin Holes, Blue Cow and Guthega). Some are run by boards (for instance Mt Buller).

The Thredbo example is indicative of a global trend, where smaller, sometimes community- or locally-owned resorts are either going under or being bought up by larger corporations.

Continue reading “Ski resorts – safety in numbers?” →

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Coalition calls for re-introduction of cattle grazing trials

The Nationals candidate for the federal seat of Indi, Marty Corboy, and federal Liberal candidate Sophie Mirabella have called on the Victorian Labor Government to resume an abandoned scientific trial of high country cattle grazing. This was reported by The Weekly Times. If you think this is a bad idea, there is an online poll attached to the Weekly Times news story.

Continue reading “Coalition calls for re-introduction of cattle grazing trials” →

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Helping trees flee climate change

This article from the Canadian based magazine called The Walrus got me thinking. We know that climate science predicts that some species will migrate ‘uphill’ to try and find the climatic conditions they can flourish in as the temperature warms. This could see some sub alpine and alpine species becoming extinct as they face stiff competition from new species moving into their traditional range and with Australia only having mountains of low elevation, some species could simply be pushed off the top of the ranges.

Continue reading “Helping trees flee climate change” →

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National Parks Association calls for release of Brumby Management Plan

Wild horse (brumby) populations are causing major environmental damage across the Alps. But as a charismatic animal with strong cultural connection for some groups, the question of population control is a vexed and and emotional one.

Recently, the National Parks Association NSW has called on the NSW Government to release its plan for managing wild horses in the Snowy Mountains.

A draft plan of management due for public exhibition last year was delayed until December, and has again been postponed until early 2016.

Continue reading “National Parks Association calls for release of Brumby Management Plan” →

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Lake Mountain Super G

On Sunday 28th of February the Murrindindi Cycle Club will be hosting Australia’s first marathon super G.

This event showcases the new single track trail that starts at the Lake Mountain summit and finishes at the Lake Mountain ticket office, 12 kilometres, 620 meters of descending and 200 meters of climbing later.

Continue reading “Lake Mountain Super G” →

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Banff Mountain Film Festival

The Banff Mountain Film Festival is the most prestigious international film competition and an annual presentation of short films and documentaries about mountain culture, sports, and environment. It was launched in 1976 as The Banff Festival of Mountain Films by The Banff Centre and is held every October in Banff, Canada.

Approximately 375 films are entered into the film festival annually, and the top 80 films are selected by a pre-screening committee to be shown at the week long festival in Canada. During the festival, the international film festival jury chooses the best films and presents awards in various categories including: Best Film on Mountain Sport, Best Film on Mountain Environment, Best Film on Mountain Culture, Best Film on Exploration and Adventure and more.

From this selection a program of over 2 hours of thought-provoking films, with subject matter ranging from remote landscapes and cultures to adrenaline-packed action sports are selected to tour Australia each April, May and June. In Australia the same 2+ hours of films are shown at each screening.

Full details available here.

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Audax Alpine Classic

The Audax Alpine Classic is a series of road rides to a number of locations in the Alps.

In 2016 it will be held on Sunday 24 January.

This is a huge event. There are a range of rides, including the 320 kilometre ‘Ultimate’. It is billed as the “longest, toughest, single day Alpine road ride in Australia”. This is an extremely hard ride, going over 4 of the “7 Peaks” in one day, leaving Bright for Mt Buffalo, then doing a huge circuit from Bright to Mount Hotham, then Omeo, Anglers Rest and over the Bogong High Plains to Falls Creek and back to Bright.

There are also a number of shorter rides (60 and 70 kilometres). All rides start at Bright.

There is an ‘early bird’ special if you register before January 8.

For full details, please check here.

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Bike packing

If you drive up any of the sealed roads into the mountains outside of winter, you will be aware of the incredible surge of interest in road riding in the Alps. From the Seven Peaks concept (ride up the seven key roads at your own pace during ‘riding season’) to events like the Tour of Bright (which has two substantial hill climb stages including the road to Hotham), road riding is huge.

Mountain bike riding is equally a wildly popular pastime, with Mt Buller in particular being an early adopter in terms of putting in infrastructure. The riding is great, and a growing number of other resorts are seeking to increase tourist visitation through developing infrastructure like single track networks.

Continue reading “Bike packing” →

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Patchy start to northern winter

As snow falls in Japan and the western half of North America, other regions haven’t been so lucky. Substantial snow is yet to arrive across much of Europe, and the situation isn’t much better in the north east of the USA.

As this story by Camila Domonoske from NPR shows, the lack of snow has an economic impact, as well as causing misery for skiers and riders.

Continue reading “Patchy start to northern winter” →

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Have a great summer

OK. So its fairly unlikely we’ll be seeing too much powder over Christmas/ new years, at least if you’re staying close to home (and as for all my friends who are already skiing/riding in places like Japan, I’m totally not jealous. Much).

Hope that, wherever you are, you have an awesome, safe and adventurous time over summer (and remember, getting out into nature is good for you and good for your community).

Might see you out on the trails if you’re in the VIC Alps. Regards, Cam.

Thanks to Protect Our Winters for this image.

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Australian Alps Book: Kosciuszko, Alpine and Namadgi National Parks

By Deirdre Slattery, published December 2015

The following comes from the Australian Alps website.

This new updated version of the original book published in 1998 is a must for students, agency staff, alpine history buffs, adventurers, naturalists and anyone one who has a love and passion for the Australian Alps. 

A fascinating guide to Kosciuszko, Alpine and Namadgi National Parks, it introduces the reader to Australia’s highest mountains, their climate, geology and soils, plants and animals and their human history. It traces the long-running conflicts between successive users of the mountains and explores the difficulties in managing the land for nature conservation. Published by CSIRO, copies of the book may be attained via the web-link at  http://www.publish.csiro.au/pid/7282.htm

A review of the book can be found here.

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‘Wanderlust’ festival, Thredbo

Wanderlust events are gatherings that bring together yoga and meditation, music, artists, and chefs (with a focus on local and sustainable foods) for a ‘transformational retreat’ in a beautiful location. It will also feature a range of outdoor activities like riding, running and hikes. Generally there is a Speakeasy – a series of lectures on a range of topics. Xavier Rudd is preforming on February 20.

There will be a Wanderlust event at Thredbo, described as being ‘a 4-day celebration of mindful living’ from 18 – 21 February.

For further details on the program and cost, check here.

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