“A unique and spectacular event offering both a SnowMarathon and a SnowSprint event in Victoria’s beautiful Falls Creek Resort. Enjoy the magic of winter as you make your way across the high plains, exploring solo or with friends. This one of a kind event takes runners on an extraordinary journey, visiting historical huts and witnessing some of Australia’s highest peaks under snow. The views will give you that feeling of awe, the feeling that you are on top of the world”.
The first inaugural FALLS CREEK BIKE FESTIVAL will take place in beautiful Falls Creek Resort on April 8th 9th and 10th 2016.
Situated on Bogong High Plains Road, Falls Creek, Victoria Australia. This event is set to be one of the best weekend road trips you can experience. With five events now locked in being Fridays single stage SUPER ENDURO race, Saturdays five stage VICTORIAN GRAVITY ENDURO STATE CHAMPS race, Sundays wild URBAN DOWNHILL race, and two kids events on Saturday and Sunday, its set to be a great adventure to this amazing part of the world!!!
Tourism North East has called for feedback on the master plan for the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing walk. This has been billed as an ‘iconic’ walk which links the two resorts via the Bogong High Plains and Cobungra Gap, and is generally done over three days. A permit is required to camp at the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing campsites.
There is a proposal for a major re-alignment of the walk, which instead of skirting the High Plains, cuts out to Tawonga Huts then down into the Kiewa Valley and up Mt Feathertop. This new proposal would require substantial new track building up the Diamantina Spur. The initial public consultation period for the Plan is over.
The 7 Peaks Ride is an iconic set of rides up seven mountains in the Victorian High Country. You do each ride when it suits you, but has a five month window, with riders being encouraged to do at least four of the rides. The riding season starts this week.
The peaks are Mt Baw Baw, Mount Buffalo, Mt Buller, Dinner Plain, Falls Creek, Hotham, and Lake Mountain. Each ride involves a serious ride from the valley.
“McKayos is Falls Creek’s newest event, a MTB gravity enduro bash from the snowy slopes of Australia’s highest drivable peak to the pristine shores of Lake Guy in Bogong Village.
Combining Snow, Dirt and Road, the course takes riders 18km through fire trails and sealed mountain roads for a total descent of 1200m. A mass start on snow is sure to see some chaos from the starter’s gun as riders muscle for position.”
It costs $50. For further information and to register, please check here.
Mountain Journal has often covered the various sustainability initiatives by ski resorts and the snow/ outdoor industries.
It has also noted the fact there here in Australia, the resorts and industry have either given up all pretense of even caring about climate change or simply have never done anything on the issue. In theory most resorts at least support the ideas behind the ‘Keep Winter Cool‘ initiative, but when was the last time you saw any of them promote climate change or sustainability measures in their materials?
As we get closer to the climate negotiations which will happen in Paris in late November, the stakes keep getting higher. With the current global agreement (the Kyoto Protocol) due to expire shortly, it is essential that world leaders agree on the framework for the agreement which will replace it.
Lake Mountain ambassadors, Casey Wright and Kat Paul (profiled here), have blitzed women’s cross country skiing in Australia this season, claiming all the major titles between them.
Their clean sweep of the 2015 race calendar, against some fierce national and international competition, sets them up strongly for the World Championships in Romania in February. While Casey will not be competing, it makes Kat the hot Australasian favourite at the New Zealand Continental Cup from August 28 to 30.
Two Lake Mountain cross country skiers are showing their potential for the international stage by snapping up major Australian national titles this season and with the promise of more to come.
Twenty-year old Casey Wright and Kat Paul, 19, recently won their first open women’s national titles at Perisher which Kat quickly followed up with a clean sweep at the Junior National Championships at Falls Creek on the weekend of August 1 and 2.
Hawkweeds are a highly invasive pest plant species which can cause major environmental damage in alpine and sub-alpine areas of Australia if not eradicated early. Native to Europe, Hawkweeds have recently become naturalised on mainland Australia. Hawkweeds spread quickly via runners and roots, forming dense mats inhibiting and outcompeting native vegetation.
For several years, Parks Victoria has co-ordinated volunteer teams each summer to remove Hawkweed on the Bogong High Plains.
Volunteer recruitment is now open for the 2014/2015 season Falls Creek Hawkweed Survey. Participating in the Falls Creek Volunteer surveys is a great way to help protect the Victorian Alps from this dangerous weed, as well as a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the magnificent alpine environment during the green summer months.
Falls Creek Ski Patrol is holding a Backcountry Awareness Presentation to be held this Saturday night the 9th of August at the Frying Pan Inn between 7 and 9pm.
Seats are limited so call Falls Creek Ski Patrol on 03 5758 1288 for bookings.
Mt Bogong from near Spion Kopje
The night will consist of
· a general presentation on backcountry awareness from both members of the Falls Creek & Squaw Valley Ski Patrol, including: How avalanches form, resort vs backcountry, personal equipment, weather / avalanche information sources when abroad, formal education resources for professionals and recreationists, avalanche transceiver use, probe line and search techniques, safe travel in avalanche terrain and snowpack analysis.
· the second part of evening will be a brief general summary of the recent Bogong Avalanche from Falls Creek Patrollers who assisted in search and recovery efforts – this will include a forensic review of the avalanche from a snow science and search and rescue perspective.
The following is a reportback from Parks Victoria on this summer’s Hawkweed program. For several years PV has been co-ordinating a program on the Bogong High Plains aimed at getting this invasive weed under control.
Volunteers help to eradicate dreaded Alpine weed
Volunteers are helping to eradicate one of the state’s worst weeds from the Victorian Alps. Hawkweed is an extremely invasive member of the daisy family and is a State prohibited weed in Victoria. It has already caused major environmental damage in North America, Japan and New Zealand. Three species have been discovered in the Falls Creek Alpine Resort and surrounding Alpine National Park. An eradication program is underway and being jointly overseen by Parks Victoria, the Department of Environment and Primary Industries and Falls Creek Resort Management. Universities, research organisations and volunteers are also helping with the eradication program.
Over summer, 59 volunteers made a significant contribution by seeking out Hawkweeds across the vast and rugged alpine landscape. Volunteers from the Victorian National Parks Association, Weed Spotters, Landcare and Bushwalking clubs, as well as individuals joined forces for the hunt. They searched a total area of 73 hectares over a five week period in December and January, discovering 15 Hawkweed infestations.
“The search involved approximately a thousand hours of surveillance over rough terrain and often in challenging weather conditions,” said Keith Primrose, Operations Manager for the Hawkweed Eradication Program with Parks Victoria.
The project was assisted with information from Parks Victoria’s Research Partners Program by the University of Melbourne, Parks Victoria and DEPI. This helped locate and prioritise Hawkweed infestations.
Falls Creek Resort Management supplied accommodation for the volunteers free of charge.
This meant they stayed on the mountain for the surveillance work and enjoyed their free time in this beautiful landscape.
Parks Victoria Volunteer Coordinator Yohanna Aurisch says these enthusiastic teams are making a real difference. “We had an amazing season with a fabulous bunch of volunteers and we can’t thank them enough for their time, hard work and dedication. They discovered infestations of Orange, King devil and Mouse-ear Hawkweeds and have helped us take another step towards eradicating this highly invasive pest.”
Keith Primrose says only a committed approach will see the eradication of Hawkweed from the Victorian Alps “Without the dedication and effort of these volunteers this program has significantly less chance of success.”
Planning is already underway for next year’s season and recruitment starts later this year. For more information contact Keith Primrose via info@parks.vic.gov.au
If you think you have seen a Hawkweed please contact DEPI on 136 186.
Falls Creek resort management has announced that the long awaited XC1 and XC2 trails are now open.
The following comes from resort management:
For the past 2 years Falls Creek Resort Management has been busy at work bringing to life a dream shared by those who love the resort. In 2013 this dream is realised with the opening of the first 2 of 4 BRAND NEW mountain bike trails.
Under the commission of World Trail – the best bike trail builders in the business, months of development has joined years of planning to bring the new trails to completion. Head to Slalom Plaza now and try them out yourself
The Grand Opening of the new trails will take place in early 2014 but as a present to everybody visiting the Resort, the 2 XC trails in the wombats area were made open and free to use in time for Christmas! Stop in at the Visitor Information Centre at Falls Creek Resort Management to pick up a trail map when you arrive.
The new trails have been developed in the Gully, Summit and Wombats Ramble ski areas. The trails are so fresh that we haven’t even had time to name them yet! Each trail will be named and graded prior to opening (click right to name one of them yourself) but in the interim, we have detailed each trail’s path and location for you to get to know them.
Wombats Ramble XC Loops
Intermediate
The most visible trails are found amongst the snowgums of the Wombats Ramble area (you may have seen parts of them riding the Falls Express Chairlift last Winter). Able to be ridden as one giant loop, the network consists of two trails – one riding uphill and one riding down. Whilst classified as cross country, there are some great downhill features and corners to navigate at speed.
The trails are intersected by the Aqueduct trail which means you can also ride each as a separate loop – one above the aqueduct and one below. Keep an eye out for some spectacular viewpoints and rocky outcrops along the way.
International DH Trail
Intermediate
We all love skiing and boarding the International Poma area in Winter. This downhill trail now brings just as much fun in Summer! Starting at the Summit Chair top (click here for chairlift operation dates), the trail winds down under the Poma line before zig-zagging down Grand Coer ski run and cutting through Short & Curly to the base of the Summit Chair.
Gully XC Trail
Intermediate
This trail connects the popular “Wishing Well” spot to the Gully region by the base of the International Poma and Gully Chairlift. Winding its way down, it is classed cross country but with a downhill aspect.
Bike Rental
Mountain Bikes are available to rent at Frueauf Village in Falls Creek (Schuss St). Adults full suspension bikes (Kona) are available for $65 per day or $50 per half day (extra day $50). Kids Kona bikes with front suspension are also available for the day rate of $45 (extra day or half day $30).
Helmets are provided with rentals and bookings are recommended by calling 0427 166 335.
A number more rental options will become available toward the new year.
Shuttle and Chairlift Access
New in 2014 will be a weekend MTB shuttle service to take riders and their bikes to the top of the trails – all Summer long. An announcement will soon be made on the commencement of this service.
Like in previous years, the Summit Chairlift will be operational over specific event weekends to allow for lift-accessed biking of the trails – particularly the International downhill trail. Click here for more info.
Downhill Descent Weekends
Cedarwood Apartments in conjunction with Alpine Gravity is hosting a series of downhill descent tour weekends, taking in the new MTB trails as well as existing favourites between Falls Creek and Mt Beauty.
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