Mt Hotham Falls Creek News June 2013

JUNE ISSUE, 2013 ople

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CRAZY FOR WINTER WINTER’S arrival makes some of us do some ‘crazy things’. At Falls Creek, local Mark Weir and Leighaan Gnyla were making the most of those last autumn rays on their snow beach at Rocky Valley Lake. Another 100 people (inset) participated in the sixth annual ‘Ice Plunge’ at the lake to mark the first day of winter, and raise funds for the local SES service. The lake, which freezes over, was a chilly three degrees Celsius.

PHOTOS: Chris Hocking

3 SKIERS AWARDED National honors for local freestyle, cross country athletes.

GUNS FIRING 5 An early start blowing snow on the mountains.

New body looking at winter tourism

By LEAH TINDILL

6, 9 SKINNY SKIS All the latest cross country and biathlon news.

index Opening weekend Winemaker lunches

2 10

Alpine real estate

11 - 13

Calendar of events

14, 15

ltindill@nenews.com.au

A REDUCTION in red tape and costs are on the agenda for the new Alpine Resorts Industry Advisory Group (ARIAG).

The State Government has just formed the group - bringing together ski lift operators, chamber of commerce members and council representatives from various Alpine locations - in response to concerns for the future of ski tourism.

Falls Creek Ski Club member and Alpine Resorts Working Group (ARWG) chairperson David Risby is a representative on the ARIAG and said a major focus from the region would be reducing

costs to ensure winter tourism continues to flourish.

“Snowmaking extends the life of the season and is very important to all resorts, but it will become an ongoing issue with climate change,” he said.

“We all want to see a vibrant tourism development.”

Mr Risby said the ARWG is also keen to find solutions for promoting the area during the summer months.

“This advisory group is really there to give specific views to the government,” he said.

“What we’re looking at is the issue of cost and trying to reduce red tape.”

The ARIAG held its first meeting on May 28, and Mr Risby said a number of

PINE G AL IA N I L D LEA TRA S A I N AU S I X O TICE SSC T R E P R AC W LA

issues were to be discussed.

Among concerns are strategies for local ski resorts to remain competitive in the international ski market by cutting costs for tourists, while still maintaining the high standard of customer service.

He said an Alpine Resorts’ review from a few years ago revealed that a weekend at the snow for a family of four staying at club accommodation cost around $2000.

“Where someone here might get paid $35 for making beds, I imagine for making beds in any other resort (overseas) they might be getting paid under $10,” he said.

“Quite frankly, I don’t want to see people paid less.

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“It’s just a matter of economics.”

Mr Risby said while the Alpine resorts offer package deals, Japan and New Zealand were offering competitive international holiday deals with longer ski seasons.

“We’ve only got a season which is three or four months long,” he said.

And while Mr Risby said there is always hope for a bumper ski season, it was impossible to predict the projected success for 2013.

“No one can tell you what the season is going to be like,” he said.

“But seeing six to eight inches (of snow) at Falls Creek in late May was a nice surprise.”

PAGE 2 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — June 2013

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‘SnowExcuse’ to have fun on opening w’end

News in brief It’s party time at resorts

TIME TO SLIDE: Falls Creek residents Grace Falconer-Smith and Amy VandeVen take a walk in the first snowfall of 2013 back in April. Thoughts quickly turned to the snow season being only seven weeks away.

Photos: Chris Hocking A REAL HIT: Grace Falconer-Smith cops a snowball in the back of the head, courtesy of Amy VandeVen, who couldn’t help herself during the first snow to grace Falls Creek in 2013 back in late April. The snow got everyone talking and solid follow up falls had people feeling positive about the 2013 season.

Autumn provided some encouraging early snow

THE official opening of the 2013 ski season is set for Saturday, June 8.

Coinciding with the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, there will be plenty of activity.

A new feature to Falls Creek this season will be the Snowstuff Park, jam packed with activities for the whole family.

For more information visit www.fallscreek. com.au and www.mthotham.com.au.

Why not try biathlon?

FOR those feeling adventurous, the ‘Come and Try biathlon’ will be held on Sunday, June 9 at the Whiskey Flat Biathlon Range from 10am12pm and 1pm-3pm.

A second come and try biathlon is also scheduled for June 23.

Fireworks on Summit WINTER will take on a colorful appearance as fireworks ignite Hotham’s skyline.

Noted as the highest fireworks display in Australia, the show will be held on June 29 at Hotham’s Summit Ski Run. Best viewing spots are indicated as near the Summit Trainer or across the road near Zirky’s and Hotham Central.

Roasting for the winter A HEARTY winter roast is set to warm snow goers this month.

The High Country at Dinner Plain will celebrate the traditional roast with a series of gourmet menus this June.

Nestled among the snow gums and falling snowflakes, visitors can indulge in local produce intertwined with a gourmet traditional roast dinner.

Bookings are essential and can be made by calling Rundell’s Alpine Lodge on 5159 6422.

WELCOME TO WINTER WONDERLAND: Mother Nature gave the Alpine resorts a sneak peek at what’s to come? With more than 20cm of snow falling in mid-May, courtesy of a hefty cold front that lingered for days, this has provided a good base for the upcoming season, and it won’t be long before the snow machines are rattling along.

PHOTO: Hotham RMB

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GREAT OPENING 2 Snow provides resorts with best start to season in years

-9 452. 4OM #OSTA GETS IN SOME TRAINING AT &ALLS #REEK LAST MONTH AHEAD OF TAKING ON SOME OF THE WORLD S BEST FREESKIERS THIS MONTH 0(/4/ #HRIS (OCKING

Extreme dream for Aussie skier

By JEFF ZEUSCHNER JZEUSCHNER

this Winter?

THE first pre-season snow fell in midApril and came as a gentle reminder that the long awaited winter was just around the corner for Alpine resorts.

After temperatures began to plummet at Hotham about 3pm on Thursday, April 18, snow fell to elevations down to 1500m, including the Dinner Plain village.

Mount Hotham Resort experienced around 3cm of white powdery snow last Thursday night, snow storms continued into the night and the early hours of Friday morning.

The lowest temperature recorded at Hotham was a chilling -3.9 degrees and a ‘feels like’ temperature of -13.6 degrees at around 8am on Friday morning.

At Dinner Plain residents woke to the snowfalls on Friday morning and by 2pm, the depth of snow had reached 8cm and snowflakes continued fall.

The settled snow created a much better landscape in comparison to summer when the Harrietville fire came within sight. “Things are looking a little different to what they were a couple of months

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YOU don’t get much more extreme than this.

Flown in by helicopter to the peak of a remote mountain,with kilometres of vertical, untracked descent, competing against some of the world’s best.

It’s the kind of challenge Falls Creek skier Tom Costa has dreamed of, and will make a reality at the end of this month.

The former World Cup mogulist will carry the hopes of his nation, again, in the World Heli Challenge in New Zealand.

Some 60 of the best skiers and snowboarders from around the world will battle it out - all trying to pick the best line amid unforgiving back country terrain deep in the South Island’s wilderness. “I have wanted to give this type of event a crack for years and this year with the help of my sponsors, Central Snowsports and Deep Powder Tours, I am making it happen,� Costa said.

Born and raised at the base of Falls Creek, in Mt Beauty, Costa and his three brothers learnt to ski young - and fast.

Adrian and Paul Costa represented Australia at the Winter Olympic Games

and Tom also competed for his country in freestyle on the World Cup circuit, and at two world championships. “I guess this freeskiing is just a natural progression,� the 32 year old said. “I’ve had the opportunity to ski around the world and be exposed to some pretty extreme terrain..and I just love the challenge.�

But this is his first event. “It’s hard to say how I will fare, but I am definitely very excited about representing my home resort of Falls Creek, and you can bet I will be giving it my very best shot,� he said.

“Obviously this sort of event is not easy to train for, especially in Australia, but the plan is to do as much backcountry skiing as possible and try to get comfortable in the big mountain arena. “Weather permitting, I hope to spend some time on Mt McKay with local skiing legend Steve Lee on his new backcountry tours.�

Peaks with 50 degree pitches, 80 to 100 foot drops, open bowls, deep snow and rocky chutes will test every ounce of Costa’s skill and endurance.

Crashes and injuries are inherent risk.

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GROUP EDITOR: Jeff Zeuschner ADVERTISING: Jenny King & Josh Ede EDITORIAL: Simon Crase ADVERTISING SALES EMAIL: jking@nenews.com.au Telephone (03) 5732 3305 jede@nenews.com.au Mobile phone 0458 471 782

SKI LESSONS 7 School holidays present great opportunity for children to get tuition, and have fun

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back,� local resident and business owner Shelley Holah said.

At the time, Dinner Plain Residents and Business Operators Society member Elaine Burridge said the snowfall attracted plenty of attention and lured day trippers to the village across the weekend to get a glimpse of the first snow for 2013. “The phone’s also started ringing with bookings for the season,� she said.

Following the snow fall, the weekend up at Hotham was not quite as cold, however, there were steady showers and winds to keep the chill in the air.

Falls Creek also experienced snow; the lowest temperature of -3.1 was recorded at about 6am on Friday morning, April 19.

The snow shower wasn’t enough to cover the ground at the resort, however it still marked the first official snow fall of the season.

Over the weekend at Falls Creek, there was no more snow, however, Sunday night rain accompanied by sub zero temperatures indicated that another snow storm may not be far away.

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Josh Ede (Mt Hotham/Dinner Plain) Email: jede@nenews.com.au Ph: 0458 471 782

Booking deadline: June 13, 2013

EDITORIAL EMAIL: edit.alptimes@nenews.com.au Published by Hartley Higgins for North East Newspapers Pty Ltd at the registered office, 37 Rowan Street, Wangaratta, 3677.

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Please mail to: Mt Hotham/Falls Creek News, 76 Standish St, PO Box 341, Myrtleford Vic 3736. or telephone: (03) 5752 1058.

Fax (03) 5752 2627. or email edit.alptimes@nenews.com.au Photos courtesy of Mt Hotham Ski Company & Falls Creek Resort Management.

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VISITORS to Dinner Plain have ‘SnowExcuse’ to have a ripping time at the Alpine village over the opening weekend of the season.

Now in its third year, the Dinner Plain SnowExcuse celebration kicks off snow season 2013 with three days of food, wine and family fun.

Dinner Plain Alpine Village continues to establish itself as the gourmet focus of the Victorian Alps with the SnowExcuse celebration showcasing our local cooking talent and the village’s culinary connections.

Previous years have seen showcase collaborations in the Dinner Plain Kitchens featuring Michael Ryan “Provenance�, Frank Camorra “Movida� and Matt Germanchis “Pei Modern�.

In 2013 we see the talents of Michael Demagistris who placed fourth in Masterchef – The Professionals, Sunny Gilbert from Movida, Gareth Elstob from St Katherine’s and Clare Burder of Eminence wines and the Humble Tumbler, come to Dinner Plain to mix it up with the local chefs.

SnowExcuse is not all dining and chefs, there is free regional produce tastings, a dedicated Kids zone with face painting, a jumping castle, sled dogs and a display of the new Dinner Play snowpark.

The ski shops are having their opening weekend sales and of course fireworks on Sunday night.

All the venues are open all weekend so even if you don’t get to the showcase dinners there is great food available from Tsubo, Mountain Kitchen, Hotel High Plains, Graze @ Rundells Alpine Lodge, Sola Copa, Brandy Creek and the Dinner Plain Hotel.

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — June 2013 — PAGE 3

Buses continue to link resorts DINNER Plain business owners are pleased a solution has been reached to a problem which could have dramatically impacted the village in a negative way.

A bus service will operate between Dinner Plain and Mount Hotham during the upcoming snow season, after successful negotiations took place between all parties.

Alpine Shire Council brought all stakeholders to the table to secure an operator to deliver the service under an equitable new model, after earlier this year deciding not to extend

the lump-sum contract to provide the service due to a predicted $320,000 cost for the 16-week winter season.

Dinner Plain special ratepayers did not greet the news positively, and forecasted a significant detrimental effect on the village and Alpine area from Omeo to Hotham to Bright and beyond if the bus service was cancelled.

Alpine Shire Council chief executive officer Ian Nicholls said council had been working hard since February to bring about a more economical and equitable solution.

“Dinner Plain Transit Services will run the bus between Dinner Plain and Mount Hotham this winter under a “user pays” model, which we believe is the most equitable way to deliver this service,” Mr Nicholls said.

“This is a great result for the communities and businesses of Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain.”

Council will provide about $150,000 to the service, easing the burden on Dinner Plain ratepayers.

Mr Nicholls said the savings would create a significant rate

reduction for Dinner Plain Special Rate payers.

Dinner Plain Advisory Committee member and Rundells Lodge owner Gary Battershill said business owners would be relieved their visitors had transport to the ski fields and the service would run at very similar times to past years.

“We are very pleased that the negotiations led by Alpine Shire Council, with Hotham Ski Company and other stakeholders, have ended in a good outcome for the Dinner Plain residents,” Mr Battershill said.

He said Hotham Resort

Management Board’s willingness to agree to a proposal about entry fee also played an important part in the service coming to fruition.

Mr Battershill said while the new service agreement was for 2013 only, he was confident it could work into the future.

Mr Nicholls said the level of use will be closely monitored this season to allow council to establish a clear picture of whether the new model will be sustainable in the long term.

“We want this to work,” he said.

“All stakeholders want the

system to be successful and are working together toward that aim.

“This new system is designed to be sustainable, seamless and user-friendly, providing bus users with simplified entry to the resort.

“By paying $20 per person return ($40 return for families) users take advantage of the bus service and receive resort entry within that price.

“The cost to users is marginally higher than in previous years but council has worked to ensure the cost remains fair.”

Carry chains or risk a fine FINES will be imposed on motorists not carrying snow chains to resorts and could be up to $500 depending on the offence, according to police.

Hotham Resort Management has decided chains constructed in the diamond pattern are the only acceptable ones allowed on the resort this snow season.

Bright police’s Senior Constable Mitch Hawley said officers and resort staff would be regularly checking vehicles driving to and from the mountain to ensure they were carrying the correct chains.

He said more than 30 fines were issued during the 2012 snow season relating to snowchains and there were no vehicle exemptions.

“If you don’t have them, you will be booked,” he said.

Snr Const Hawley said the chains must also be in respectable condition and suitable for the tyres.

“This isn’t about revenue raising,

WINTER CHAMPIONS: Bill Sykes (MLA, Benalla) with Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin (Mansfield) Athlete of the Year; Britteny Cox (Mt Beauty) Junior Athlete of the Year; Anton Grimus (Mt Buller) Ski Cross Athlete of the Year at the Ski and Snowboard Australia Winter Sports awards.

PHOTO: Bill Sykes office

Local skiers take out six national awards

By LEAH TINDILL ltindill@nenews.com.au

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Phone: (03) 5750 1085 Mob: Ian - 0409 501 085 Aaron - 0409 501 076 Liz - 0409 501 084 hothamfreight@bigpond.com HIGH FLYER: Britteny Cox has been racking up skiing titles worldwide. the World Cup in Lake Placid where I received a podium result,” Cox said.

“It’s been a bit of a nemesis course in the past so to have that result was a great achievement.”

Cox said she also enjoyed skiing in Sochi in Russia where the 2014 Winter Olympics are set to be held.

“It was good to get to check out what it will be like for the Olympics next year,” she said.

In among the preparation for the Olympics, Cox said she’ll enjoy coming home to ski at Falls Creek.

“Falls Creek is home and it’s always nice to come back and have a ski there,” she said.

32 Churchill Ave, Bright 3741

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ALPINE skiers have added six more national titles to their list of accolades.

Falls Creek’s Britteny Cox was presented with two titles at the 2013 Australian Ski and Snowboard awards in Melbourne earlier this month, claiming Junior Athlete of the Year and Mogul Skiing Athlete of the year.

Greta Small was presented with Junior Alpine Athlete of the Year, Anna Trnka with Junior Cross Country Athlete of the Year, Phillip Bellingham bagged Cross Country Athlete of the Year and Allison Stoddart received the Participation and Development Award.

Cox said it was particularly exciting to receive the awards after a tough year of competition.

“I was really excited to win for this year because it’s been so competitive for Australia in ski sport this year,” she said.

The wins cap off an impressive list of titles for the 18 year old over the past year including World Cup podium third place at Lake Placid in the United States, to back her first Australian Women’s World Cup podium place from last year, as well as a scholarship grant for a return flight for training or competition travel.

“My highlight of the year was

it’s about safety of everyone using the roads,” he said.

“People need to drive to the conditions and slow down if required and think of the people coming the other way.”

Snr Const Hawley said police had already been to several incidents of cars sliding off the Great Alpine Road due to ice, and one ended in a two-car collision.

Chains must be carried between Harrietville and Omeo and fitted to vehicles when specified.

Motorists on the Great Alpine Road need to lookout for loose rocks, snowdrifts and stronger wind in sections of the drive.

Mt Beauty police’s Sergeant Peter Johns reiterated his colleague’s safety message for Falls Creek and drivers needed to obey the call to fit chains, but be mindful of where this occurred.

Sgt Johns said depending on the conditions, this could be required as low as Orange Bridge.

PAGE 4 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — June 2013

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Strategic plan for our Alpine resorts

By SIMON CRASE scrase@nenews.com.au

ENSURING the Alpine resorts are maximising their tourist potential, exploring all avenues for efficiency savings and paving the way for long-term viability have been acknowledged as key components behind a document aimed at providing future security for the tourism destinations.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith tabled the Alpine Strategic Plan 2012 in December last year, the document setting out the next five years for the resorts which include Falls

Creek and Hotham.

A key component of the tourism industry in the State, the resorts generate healthy revenue for the Alpine region and are critical for Mt Beauty, Bright and Harrietville beyond the borders of the snow fields.

The Alpine Resorts Coordinating Council compiled the draft plan in mid-2012, after meeting with a large number of stakeholders at all resorts, and 66 submissions were received following public consultation.

Falls Creek and Hotham experienced bumper winter seasons in 2012, but the plan also touched on the need for resorts to increase summer vis-

itation as a way of maximising the tourism potential to the Alpine peaks.

In the next five years, Falls Creek hopes to build on its growing reputation for highaltitude training by constructing an elite facility to cater for professional athletes across myriad sports.

At Hotham, a major desire is the relocation of the Great Alpine Road, and although this carries a great cost, it is viewed as vital to facilitate growth and increase accommodation capacity.

In tabling the strategic plan, Mr Smith said each resort would produce an alpine resort master plan to guarantee

their environmental values are protected and give the private sector heightened certainty about the resorts’ long-term directions.

“The (Alpine Resorts) strategic plan sets out a more co-operative and integrated approach to investment, promotion, management and use across the resorts,” Mr Smith said.

“Investment opportunities need to be more co-ordinated and non-commercial activities will need to be reviewed.”

Mr Smith said the alpine resort master plans would also simplify planning and leasing decisions and allow high priority development opportunities

to be identified through the Victorian Alpine Resorts Development Program.

The strategic plan also proposes a new financial management framework for the resorts to sustain their significant economic contribution to the state’s economy and to their surrounding regions.

Bill Sykes (MLA, Benalla) said the State Government recognised the importance of vibrant, efficiently managed Alpine Resorts to the regional and state economy.

Mr Sykes received a briefing in regard to the document and feels the plan gives clear guidance for the resorts and he has long maintained the need

for resort management boards to look closely at ways to save money, which has been an issue for resorts in the past.

“I believe that there are opportunities to improve visitor experiences and reduce costs by the application of modern day best practices and taking advantage of new technologies,” Mr Sykes said.

With the Lake Mountain resort recently being overtaken by private management for a 12-month trial, Mr Sykes will keep a close eye on how the operation progresses and the local member believes it could be a model applied at other resorts if it proves to be a successful move.

News in brief Snowboard holiday program

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YOUNG snowboarders will have the chance to develop their skills and styles at the first school holiday program on June 29.

The programs are designed to develop all round freestyle race and mountain snowboarding skills for $795.

Riders will have the opportunity to compete in the Australian Junior Series, Victorian Interschools, Interschool Nationals, the A la Carte in the Park Series, Hotham SBX Festival and more.

For more information, visit www.hothamsnowboarders. com.au.

IT’S PLAYTIME: MacKenzie Hull, 3, delights in snowplay at Falls Creek when a reasonable dump of snow fell in mid-May. The resort enjoyed its second significant snowfall of autumn as a cold front swept the Alps and lingered for much of last week and into the weekend.

Temperatures dipped to -3C and about 30 centimetres of fresh snow fell.

Photo: Chris Hocking

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More areas for snow play

By LEAH TINDILL ltindill@nenews.com.au

TWO new dedicated snow play areas will be available to Alpine ski goers this season.

Following the success of the dedicated area at Mt Hotham last year, Alpine Shire’s Dinner Plain and Falls Creek will add the fun to their slopes.

And there’s a whole host of activities to look forward to.

New technology from overseas slopes will come to the mountains including snow skateboards, ski trikkes and snow scooters.

Each new device aims to offer a different experience on the snow while still allowing users to carve up fresh powder or gain faster tobogganing rides.

Snowstuff managing director Steve Belli said the parks were opened to “compliment skiing and boarding”.

“The ski trikke is very much like a ski action – you stand on it and it swings from side to side,” he said.

But Mr Belli said the traditional snow favorites hadn’t been forgot-

FUN IN THE SNOW: If the Snowpark at Hotham is anything to go by, the newly created parks at Dinner Plain and Falls Creeks will be a hit with everyone.

PHOTO: Snowplay ten with snowball and snowmen making still available in the parks.

“It’s to get a family snow experience for everyone in one spot,” he said.

An opening weekend will be

held at Dinner Plain on June 8 and 9 with parks to officially open from then.

To keep up to date with opening hours and activities, visit www. snowstuffpark.com.au.

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — June 2013 — PAGE 5

Resorts to maximise their ‘natural assets’ ALPINE resorts, including Falls Creek and Hotham, will be expected to improve in a number of areas, including show greater accountability, under a new plan aimed at maximising the important natural assets.

One of the other major initiatives being introduced is the formation of the Alpine Resorts Industry Advisory Group (ARIAG), bringing together appointees from across the sector, as well as business and council representatives.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith announced the comprehensive plan at the Australian Alpine Resorts forum held at Mount Buller in early May. The plan follows a State Government commitment to investigate whether the resorts were running at their maximum potential, as well as improvements that could be made to improve efficiencies, individually and collectively.

Mr Smith said the plan was aimed at ensuring the long-term

viability of the state’s alpine resorts and would see more emphasis on accountability, transparency and engagement.

“Victoria’s alpine resorts are of enormous importance to our state, generating income for local economies and jobs for Victorians,” Mr Smith said.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is determined to secure the long-term financial viability of the alpine resorts by focusing on the winter economic engine and building on the year-round competitive strengths of individual resorts.”

Mr Smith said new alpine resort master plans would be developed by each resort in the next 12 to18 months, and these would entail precinct development, infrastructure, fire and emergency management plans and native vegetation provisions.

“These will be complemented by the Victorian Alpine Resorts Development Plan, an investment pipeline plan managed by

the Alpine Resorts Coordinating Council which will identify public infrastructure investment priorities and potential funding sources,” he said.

The ARIAG will work with the Alpine Resorts Coordinating Council, government and portfolio agencies and provide valuable input into policy, strategic planning, management, development, use and promotion at the resorts.

As part of the package of reforms, Mr Smith also announced new uniform reporting requirements for all resorts to ensure increased accountability; changes to the alpine industry’s marketing model to ensure a more integrated, state-wide approach to better share resources; and the development of a new five-year strategic marketing plan by Tourism Victoria and the Alpine Resorts Coordinating Council, in consultation with Alpine Resort Management Boards, the Alpine Resorts Industry Advisory Group and relevant regional tourism boards.

Mr Smith said good progress was being made to deliver on the actions set out in the Alpine Resorts Strategic Plan 2012.

Alpine Resorts Industry Advisory Group members z Nick Whitby - Chief Executive Officer, Buller Ski Lifts Pty Ltd z Helen Moran - Head of Victoria, Midway Division Merlin Entertainments Group z Graham Parker - Falls Creek Chamber of Commerce president z David Risby - Alpine Resorts Working Group chairman (a committee of VSA) z Ian Nicholls - Chief Executive Officer, Alpine Shire Council z Helen Antsis - Chief Executive Officer, Baw Baw Shire Council z Paul Carrick - Chairperson, Tourism North East Board z Eric Bickerton - Chief Executive Officer, Disabled WinterSport Australia z Adam Joyce, treasurer, Snowsports Industries of Australia.

Shire inclusion ‘positive’ ALPINE Shire Council chief executive officer Ian Nicholls says council’s inclusion on the Alpine Resort Industry Advisory Group (ARIAG) is a constructive step in the announced resort reforms.

“Potentially, it’s a positive move…and from our local government point of view, it’s a good thing,” he said.

Mr Nicholls, who was invited onto the ARIAG, said he would need to hear more about the group’s full scope, but he expected the ARIAG to have input into the broader strategic decision-making taken by Falls Creek and Hotham.

Call in and help us at Brunoskis to celebrate our 37th winter.

Toddlers jackets 0-4 now $30; Pants, $22; and suits $69.

Ski and snowboard gear up to 35% off Snow chains, $35 (Auto Technica); For the anti-rust V2 Traction, from $139; or Auto Tensioning Weissenfels from $199.

We also have a full range of 4WD chains.

Call into SKI SHOP AND TOURS since 77

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Phone: (02) 6056 1388.

An early start to the season MT HOTHAM snowmakers (from left) Richard Guiness, Wayne Clayton and Drew Driver got an early start to the 2013 season.

A winter blitz, that dumped up to 25cm of snow on the mountain during mid-May allowed the team to start up its snowguns on May 22, and produce a small but productive low humidity run on the Big D beginner slope area.

This was not the first time the snowguns had run this year, however, as they were

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Hotham has a fleet of 82 snowguns following their continued investment this year into more snowguns, enabling the resort to open more terrain earlier and for longer each season.

The mountain’s snowmaking system uses recycled water from the Hotham Village water treatment plant.

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plan was constructed.

“A meeting was held here that was very well attended and we were more than delighted to see we had a reasonable input into the plan when it was released,” Mr Parker said.

Among the reforms Mr Smith announced last week, a more integrated approach to marketing has been signalled, and Mr Parker believes locally business operators are well served and there are chances for greater exposure.

“I think North East Tourism Board is doing a fabulous job, and they’re there for us to be more involved with, both personally and from a chamber perspective,” he said.

In a recent change to State Government legislation, the Alpine resorts boundary changes announced in December 2012 were enacted last week, and Mr Parker has praised the move which brings the Rocky Valley Dam foreshore back into the resort confines.

“Falls Creek now has a beach - we took a booking at Easter and the people were undecided about whether to come here or go to the beach, well, now they’ll be able to do both,” Mr Parker said.

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A FALLS Creek business operator has been selected on a new advisory committee which will have a say in future decisions concerning Alpine resorts in Victoria.

Falls Creek Chamber of Commerce president, and operator of Nelse Lodge, Graham Parker, was invited to be a member on the Alpine Resort Industry Advisory Group (ARIAG).

Mr Parker described his 12-month appointment as a privilege and being able to represent chamber of commerce members from Falls Creek, Hotham and Buller was a responsibility “To be absolutely honest, it was really quite an honor,” he said.

“It’s an interesting group of people and looks as if it will be a venue where we’ll have a free position to talk about things openly and without outside interference.

“Personally, I’ll enjoy sitting down with people in different positions and giving my point of view which hopefully mirror those of small operators on the mountains.”

Although the group’s introduction is a relatively new one, and Mr Parker

is still digesting his role, he hailed the initiative as a positive one and having cast his eye over a comprehensive terms of reference, believes the group has the requisite amount of broad appointees to deliver relevant viewpoints for consideration.

“It looks like a two-way street; we’ll be passing things up the chain to the minister and things will also be passed down to us,” he said.

A joint chamber of commerce meeting is being hosted in Falls Creek in the week following opening weekend and Mr Parker intends canvassing his fellow counterparts for any issues that may need raising in the ARIAG forum.

“Since the chambers have a representative on this new group, this gives us a chance to work even closer together,” he said.

“As part of the joint meeting, the executive will meet and I’ll be able to take away from that a brief which I can then take to the advisory group.”

The reforms have followed on from last year’s release of the Alpine Resorts Co-ordinating Council’s Alpine Resorts Strategic plan 2012, and business owners at Falls Creek happily shared their views before the

PAGE 6 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — June 2013

www.nenews.com.au

Public feedback on future plans for resort is sought CAN you help shape a vision for Falls Creek for decades to come?

Falls Creek Resort Management Board (FCRMB) has released the draft ‘Pathway to the Future’ document for public consideration and is urging anyone interested in having input to provide feedback.

The draft details the FCRMB’s proposal to promote and develop Falls Creek as a vibrant and distinctive village offering the most

memorable alpine experiences in the country.

The document can be viewed at www.fallscreek.com.au/StrategicManagementPlan.

Hard copies are available from the FCRMB office at 1 Slalom St, Falls Creek.

Feedback can be submitted via email to future@fallscreek.com.au or mailing to PO Box 50, Falls Creek, 3699, by 5pm, Friday, June 14.

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DEFENDING Kangaroo Hoppet champion Alexander Legkov, and second placed Ilya Chernousov, together with many of their Russian team mates, will return to Falls Creek this season.

In what is a major boost for Falls, the Russian cross country contingent plan to train at Falls Creek throughout August as part of their preparation for the coming northern winter.

And it is a very special winter for all Russians as their country will host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi.

Legkov will return this year as the undisputed king of distance skiing in the world.

After starting his 2012/2013 season with two wins in the Australian Sprint and 10km National Championships at Falls Creek, and then claiming the 2012 Kangaroo Hoppet title, he returned to Europe and won the multi day Tour de Ski World Cup and the 50km Holmenkollen World Cup race in Norway.

Legkov finished the season with the crystal globe awarded to the top ranked distance skier on the 2012/2013 World Cup circuit.

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FLASHBACKS: The Russian trifecta on the 2012 Hoppet podium were (from left) Ilya Chernousov (2), Alexander Legkov (1) and Ivan Alypov (3). best skiers in the world in action in competition and training.

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — June 2013 — PAGE 7

Changes to assist in all-year resort growth

By LEIGH GIOLLO FALLS Creek’s ambitions to significantly grow all-year round activities at the resort have received a boost, with the State Government implementing changes to assist with future development, especially in the ‘green season’.

Minister for Environment and Climate Ryan Smith introduced a Bill into Parliament earlier this year to adjust the boundaries of the Alpine National Park and Falls Creek Alpine Resort area.

This has been done in an attempt to continue making the area appealing to tourists and increasing profitability throughout the generally less active summer months, supporting the resort’s target of becoming an ideal destination for high altitude training for elite athletes, and also providing an opportunity for other visi-

tors as a year-round destination.

Among the proposed boundary changes is an addition of 9.6 hectares of land from the Alpine National Park on the northern foreshore of the Rocky Valley Storage.

There will be a small realignment of land in the Sun Valley currently housing resort infrastructure and Howman’s Gap Snow Clearing Quarters.

In return, about 12 hectares of high conservation value land on the northern slopes of Mt KcKay will be returned to the Alpine National Park.

The Falls Creek Management Board, which has recently completed its Biodiversity Management Strategy (BMS), fully supports the government’s move.

The BMS is serving to comprehensively identify each ecological vegetation class contained in the resort, and has identified the

increased area of land added to the Alpine National park as well as its significant species of flora and fauna.

Falls Creek Management CEO David Herman was pleased with the potential outcome, as well as the BMS being the first environmental management instrument of its kind used by a state public agency.

“The proposed Bill is the culmination of considerable multiagency cooperation supported by our cutting edge BMS,” he said.

Mr Herman said the land changes would allow Falls Creek to pursue its access and equity objectives by delivering an all season’s activity base supported by the beauty of the Rocky Valley Lake.

“The land returned to the Alpine National Park is of high conservation value, thereby further

protecting key species of flora and fauna for all Victorians,” Mr Herman said.

The resulting increase of tourism diversity would also likely make it easier for potential investors as these tourism and recreational opportunities continue to open up.

“Victoria’s alpine areas are beautiful and unique places providing some of the best outdoor recreation and eco-tourism opportunities in the state,” Mr Smith said.

“We want to encourage more altitude training, lake events, road cycling and mountain biking.”

The resort has already had success in luring elite sporting outfits such the Geelong Football Club and Melbourne Rebels, as well as national and international cycling teams to train at the resort.

Earlier advice on condition of road

AS part of rationalising the Alpine Shire Council’s depot at Dinner Plain, rezoning must occur to provide for further development on the site.

Council is currently seeking authorisation from Planning Minister Matthew Guy so the rezoning amendment can be made to the Alpine Planning Scheme.

The depot is located within the Service Infrastructure Precinct at Dinner Plain, and land on an adjacent allotment is also included in the touted planning scheme amendment.

The 2008 Dinner Plain masterplan signalled the need for the depot’s expansion due to additional use.

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No battle at Falls: SSDF abandons its event in interests of schools interschools events this year would be counter-productive.

SSDF chair Leigh Crang said his committee had agreed to cancel the SSDF event and support the event held at Mt Buller for 2013.

“Buller Ski Lifts declined our revised offer to retain the integrity of the event and has continued to support SSA’s management in conducting the 2013 event,” Mr Crang said.

Mr Crang confirmed SSDF had been forced to make its two employees redundant and both had given loyal service for more than 13 years.

SSDF sponsorship agreements with a number of companies have been terminated, in particular Subaru Australia, which also is a major sponsor to other states’ interschools committees.

Mr Crang said the SSDF firmly

believe state-based schools events should be run by not-for-profit state-based organisations.

“The structure proposed by SSA, and supported by BSL, certainly does not meet this criterion…this decision may have negative consequences for schools, student and families,” he said.

SSDF will retain its website and become the Interschools Committee of the VSA and plans to amend its constitution to provide broader schools representation going forward.

Mr Crang said SSDF remains committed to contributing to the development of opportunities for schools in snowsports and the maintenance of efficient and affordable events.

“SSDF will be releasing its plans for 2014 events at the end of this ski season,” he added.

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THE Schools Snowsports Development Foundation (SSDF) which has run Victorian Interschools for 13 years has failed in its attempt to recover the management of the 2013 interschools event.

SSDF decided last year that the event would move to Falls Creek but subsequently decided to stay at Mt Buller.

However, Buller Ski Lifts (BSL) announced it would run the event itself in conjunction with the national body Ski & Snowboard Australia Ltd (SSA).

Earlier SSA had disputed SSDF’s claimed ownership of the Victorian Interschools Championships which were originally coordinated by the Victorian Ski Association, now the Victorian Snowsports Association (VSA).

SSDF committee conceded that for the benefit of all schools, two

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AXENT Global will install a new electronic road sign in Myrtleford to provide motorists heading to the resorts the latest road conditions.

Bill Sykes (MLA, Benalla) said the new electronic information sign will provide drivers and cyclists with up-tothe-minute information about transport conditions including potential delays, traffic hazards and diversions, speed restrictions and road works.

“The Great Alpine Road can be affected by snow, fire and floods, only recently, it was closed to through traffic as a result of bushfires in the region,” Mr Sykes said.

“With the snow season nearly upon us, these improvements will help maintain safety by offering up to date information for the many tourists expected to travel here.

“This will allow them to plan ahead and adjust their route accordingly with minimal impact to their travel times, comfort or safety.”

Mr Sykes said the new information sign would also assist the various emergency services agencies in effectively responding to incidents.

The $140,000 project has been funded with a $120,000 contribution from the State Government’s Transport Investing in Regions initiative, and $20,000 from VicRoads.

The sign will be installed at the southern end of Myrtleford, adjacent to the Myrtleford Butter Factory, the location chosen after consultation with the Alpine Shire Council, which requested the sign be erected within the town boundary.

For information on travel restrictions on the Great Alpine Road go to vicroads. vic.gov.au.

News in brief Depot seeking to expand

PAGE 8 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — June 2013

www.nenews.com.au

A power of work to get road opened MASSIVE HIT: Rainfall caused a huge slip on the Great Alpine Road, between Harrietville and Mt Hotham.

HARD AT IT: Crews and machinery are spending hours trying to get the Great Alpine Road up to scratch.

WORK TO BE DONE: The Dargo Road remains closed.

PHOTOS: Alex Baird

THE landscape took a massive hit during and after the Harrietville fire and a power of work was carried out, but traffic movement is back on the Great Alpine Road between Harrietville and Mt Hotham much to the delight of tourism operators, workers and visitors.

The road between Harrietville and the Dargo High Plains Road was opened on May 30 at 4pm.

VicRoads, government bodies and the North East Maintenance Alliance worked tirelessly to repair the road, which is expected to cost millions of dollars after the recent fire, which burnt 35,000 hectares.

Authorities worked tirelessly to ensure the road was available for use over the busy Labor Day weekend and Easter holiday period, and also in time for full operation by the snow season.

Heavy rainfall caused ‘slips’, which left damage to the foundations, leaving barriers set up along strained parts of the winding road.

VicRoads regional director North Eastern Victoria, Graham Freestone, said VicRoads crews

had cut back the uphill slope on the major slip site five kilometres south of Harrietville to widen the road and stabilise the site.

In the wake of the Alpine fires, VicRoads repaired and stabilised two major and various minor slip sites, replaced culverts, guard rail, guide posts and signs that were destroyed by the fires.

Dead and hazardous trees were removed to reduce the risk of trees falling onto the road once the winter weather sets in.

Mr Freestone said a reassessment would be undertaken after winter and they may have to undertake more tree clearing. “We thank the communities on both sides of the mountain for their patience and support over the last months,� he said. “We are well aware of the imposition the closure has had on them and their businesses. “However, we have worked hard to make the road safe and mitigate the risk of falling trees as far as possible.�

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — June 2013 — PAGE 9

August Teague back as Falls Creek training centre coach CROSS Country ski coach August Teague from the USA is set to return to Falls Creek this winter to resume his job as the national team training centre coach.

Teague will arrive late June and stay through to September, working daily with the national team athletes based at Falls Creek and on training camps with the rest of the team.

One of the main focuses this winter is on preparing athletes for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Sochi in 2014.

Currently Australia is likely to have three cross country athletes competing in Sochi the front-runners being Callum Watson from Jindabyne and locals Phillip Bellingham and Esther Bottomley.

There’s also a quota place for a second female athlete if one of the other

team members can make a jump.

“August has a critical role in our preparations for Sochi,” said Finn Marsland, Ski and Snowboard Australia’s Cross Country Skiing high performance manager.

“We saw last year that his technical expertise is lifting our athletes up to another level, and he’s now taken over the training plans of all of our World Cup team.

“It’s fun to be working alongside someone with such a passion for the sport.”

National team training camps kick off at Falls Creek in the first two weeks of July, then championship races fill out the rest of the month with the Victorian Junior Championships on July 20/21 and Australian Championships on July 28/29.

COMING BACK: August Teague (left)is returning to Australia this season, where he will be continuing to help coach Australia’s elite cross country skiers including (from left) , Mark van der Ploeg, Callum Watson and Phillip Bellingham.

Australian biathlon – bigger and better in 2013

Falls Creek Medical Centre Winter Consulting Hours Daily: 10.00am - 12noon & 2.00 - 5.00pm After Hours Ring 03 5758 3238 or if an emergency call 000 Email enquiries@mbmc.com.au Web www.mbmc.com.au

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TALENTED TEAM: Coaches Nick Grimmer (left) and Allison Stoddart (right) with the junior team of (from left) Casey Wright, Anna Trnka, Xanthea Dewez and Ashleigh Spittle.

Groundbreaking effort by Australian junior team up by local grown coaches Nick Grimmer and Allison Stoddart, both of whom will be back at Falls Creek for much of the winter.

Grimmer took up the world junior coaching position after returning from a year coaching in Alaska, while Stoddart has been coaching with the Victorian junior team for the last three years.

Next year’s World Junior Championships take place in Val di Fiemme in Italy, and Australia is likely to send a large team again.

Three of the four members of the women’s relay team are still eligible to compete, and there are plenty of other junior athletes from Victoria, NSW and the ACT with the potential to step up to the qualification standard.

The Australian junior team is selected from two weekends of racing, one at Falls Creek on July 29/30 and the other at Perisher Valley on August 17/18.

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IN January this year Australia fielded its largest team at the World Junior Championship since 1989, and for the first time ever entered a junior women’s relay team.

The team of Anna Trnka (Mt Beauty), Xanthea Dewez (Wangaratta), Ashleigh Spittle (Viewbank) and Casey Wright (Launching Place) finished 14th in the 4 x 3.3km relay event, battling throughout the race with teams from skiing strongholds such as Kazakstan, Ukraine and Canada.

The women on the team also produced the best individual results, with Dewez and Wright cracking the top 50 in the classic sprint, and Trnka qualifying for the World Championship in the 5km freestyle.

The best individual male result was 64th (out of 81 starters)

by Alasdair Tutt (Wangaratta) in the classic sprint.

The team was headed

AUSTRALIAN biathlon is going from strength to strength at all levels of participation, in both summer and traditional winter activities.

Last winter there were twice as many participants at championship events compared with two years previously.

In addition, there was a continuing increase in participation in camps and winter fun events, such as the Paul Commemorative Family Weekend.

Since last winter Australian biathlon members have been active both here and overseas.

On the international front, several biathletes and coaches took part in training and International Biathlon Union (IBU) events in the Northern Hemisphere winter.

Highlights of IBU events included World Cup athlete Alex Almoukov achieving a personal best and his first-ever IBU points, and four athletes taking part in events at the “second tier” level of IBU competition, namely IBU Cup. Over the Australian summer, Whiskey Flat range at Mount Hotham - the home of Australian biathlon - has had a “facelift” as well as substantial works done.

While the bushfires that threated both Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain did not affect Whiskey Flat range, there was substantial fire impact to the

UP AND COMER: Wodonga’s Dyllan Harmer, pictured in action at Whiskey Flat last season, is one of biathlon’s rising stars. He is an IBU Cup athlete and is in Sweden undergoing a 12 week intensive summer biathlon training program until mid-July. trails around the area.

Over the Labor Day and Anzac Day weekends trails were cleared, fallen trees chipped, snow fencing erected and the extremities of the range flagged.

Much of this work was done in conjunction with Mount Hotham Resort Management staff, with whom Australian Biathlon works closely.

Added to this was many hours spent refurbishing some of the biathlon targets which were removed from the range last December, with others being replaced by new ones ordered from Norway.

Off-mountain, in addition to the regular off-

season training, Australian Biathlon has started programs using newlyacquired Larsen Laser Biathlon Systems.

Suitable for all ages, but especially for those aged under 12s, these lasers have been a big hit with kids who were previously too young to take part in biathlon, due to firearms age restrictions.

Laser programs are now under way in Melbourne, Wangaratta and Wodonga.

This winter season will see a new crop of participants taking part in “on snow” biathlon events at Mount Hotham, the only accredited biathlon range in Australia.

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PAGE 10 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — June 2013

www.nenews.com.au

Be prepared: some basic advice from one of the locals

ON THE ROAD: Make sure you’re covered before heading to the resort.

TRAVELLERS to Falls Creek, and indeed all Alpine resorts, need to consider a variety of aspects to make their trip to the snow the most enjoyable experience possible.

Falls Creek’s Koki Alpine Resort owner/operator Vesna Sugden can recall a guest breaking an ankle on the first day of their holiday and as she was covered the cost of ski lift tickets, accommodation and numerous other items were refunded.

Families should budget for travel insurance, costing from $82 for three days $116 for five days.

This very modest investment could reap a significant amount if there is an accident.

4WD owners coming to Falls Creek must fill up below the resort at either Bright or Mt Beauty with alpine diesel or their vehicle will not start when they

are about to head home after a snow holiday.

Due to the weather changes at the resort, Vesna advises guests to bring layers of clothing such as trackies, thermals and tights.

“The myth it is more expensive/beneficial to hire snow equipment in the city isn’t true,” she said.

“There are numerous outlets at Falls Creek that rent equipment at a reasonable amount plus kids 14 and under are provided with helmets free of charge.”

Vesna pointed out the obvious: “If your boots don’t fit they can be exchanged where you hired them. If you got them from a rental outlet before they travelled to Falls Creek that isn’t possible.

“Apartment guests should bring the fundamentals and any items that aren’t readily available,” she said.

“We have a supermarket called Foodworks that stocks most common items and will deliver to their apartment while they are out skiing or snowboarding.

“I also suggest budgetconscious guests go out at least one night and try one of our many restaurants within the resort.”

Guests coming to Falls Creek require oversnow transfers to many of the lodges and apartments so they should time their arrival to suit the timetable.

“I also advise you can park off the mountain (at Mt Beauty) and take a Falls Creek Coach that drops its passengers at the Accommodation Transfer Service where the purposebuilt vehicles depart to the various accommodation options throughout our European-style alpine village.”

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Monday and Wednesday 5.30 - 6.30pm Cond. apply

THE dynamic restaurateur Barry Iddles took the reins at the resort’s very popular Winterhaven Restaurant & Bar three winters ago and last winter Elk Restaurant (formerly Julians) was added to his Falls Creek ventures Falls Creek’s numerous restaurants know how to satisfy their winter clientele and Iddles has shown he’s prepared to up the ante among his counterparts in this picture-postcard alpine resort.

Under his watch are two of the resort’s favorite après ski spots and this winter he’s once again being creative and engaged the services of some very capable winemakers.

On three occasions there will be winemaker lunches at Winterhaven Restaurant & Bar this winter.

The first, on Monday, June 17, will showcase a Yarra Valley vineyard Ingram Road/Helen’s Hill Estate, a family owned vineyard and winery that produces exceptional cool climate wines.

Comprising 150 acres the vineyard includes a 140 seat restaurant (with some of the finest views of the scenic YarraValley), Helen’s Hill is owned by Allan Nalder and family and goes under the official title of owner/assistant winemaker, but wears a number of hats.

It’s such a great opportunity to get people to try something new.

Allan is fifth generation farmer with a passion for making wine.

The second Winterhaven Restaurant & Bar winemakers lunch is on Monday, July 15.

Matching wines to a delicious lunch will be provided by a Margaret River Vineyard Flametree.

Its winemaker Cliff Royle is making the long journey from snowless WA to snow-covered Falls Creek.

Winning Australia’s most wellknown and respected wine accolade, the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy, with their first ever red wine, Flametree Wines firmly established itself in the upper echelon of Margaret River wine producers.

Proving that this accolade was not a coincidence and that Flametree was actually deserving of the prestigious award, the next vintage

was also a finalist in the following year’s show.

This unprecedented success has since continued, with many critic reviews and awards.

A third winemakers lunch will be held on Monday, August 19 with another very capable winemaker showcasing some wines produced a little closer than Flametree Wines.

Host will be a winemaker from the renowned King Valley winery Michael Dal Zotto.

He’s a member of a family that has been involved with making wine for many generations.

Dal Zotto’s parents started the King Valley vineyard in the late 1980s, and after planting their first prosecco vines in 1999, the family came full circle — planting a grape variety from Dal Zotto’s father, Otto’s, home town in northern Italy.

The Dal Zottos are part of a collective push from the King Valley region to get people to learn about Italian varieties.

“That’s why it is important for us to be involved in the lunch at Falls Creek,” Michael said.

“It’s such a great opportunity to get people to try something new.”

Cost is $80 per person for lunch and matching wines.

www.nenews.com.au

MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — June 2013 — PAGE 11

Helpful tips for your dream property in Australian Alps IMAGINE having your own piece of paradise in the alpine resorts for use all year round. Owning property or operating a business in the Alps can be a great investment and a wonderful lifestyle.

Dan Flynn, partner at TressCox Lawyers, offers the following advice on what to consider: Location, location It is most important that you check proximity to lifts, conveniences, car parking and accessibility to the property when under snow, etc.

Onsite parking will increase the value of a property. Check that ownership and use of a car space is linked to the property and also relevant resort vehicle entry permit requirements.

Personal use or rental returns?

Do you want to use the property for personal use, rental returns or a combination of both? Some properties have compulsory management and letting agreements, some allow combinations and some are simply own your own. We suggest you look for a combination with the right to reserve the premises for your own purposes if you so decide. Alpine apartments can provide great rental returns during and outside of the snow season.

If a compulsory management agreement is required, check for overall management fees, and whether these are inclusive of third party agents and suppliers.

Fitout of apartment Is the property fitted out and sold with all the modern conveniences?

Most properties in an alpine resort are sold on a “walk in/walk out” basis with all the mod-cons provided.

Having furniture delivered to the property can be difficult during the snow season.

Be careful to ensure that a detailed inventory is included in the contract and check the condition of items at the time of signing the contract. These items should be in the same workable condition on settlement, fair wear and tear excepted.

Outgoings Have a look at the annual costs over the previous couple of years for the property. Heated driveways and footpaths can be a luxury, but they can be expensive to operate. Seek copies of annual budgets for the premises which should show insurances, land tax, maintenance budgets and other recurring fees.

Finance Before buying any property you must always be sure of your finance.

The type of leasehold arrangement for alpine property has a significant impact on whether banks are prepared to lend. Registration of alpine leases has made accessibility to finance more readily available. There are numerous methods of structuring finance. This needs to be examined depending on your use of the premises and your financial circumstances.

Shareholding and subleasing The most common form of ownership of property in an alpine resort is to take shares in a landholding company together with a sublease.

The shareholding gives rights of participation in management of the holding company and the sublease provides security of tenure that may be registered at the Office of Titles. This ownership model closely reflects ownership of freehold land within an owner’s corporation.

As an owner you will be encouraged to be involved as a director of the Head Lessee company. This gives you control in the management of your property, but includes responsibilities as a company director, such as avoiding conflicts of interest between personal interests and the company interests, acting with care and diligence to properly inform yourself about company decisions and of the company’s financial affairs.

Business opportunities The resorts present wonderful opportunities for business and retail activities. Commercial leases and business operations may be conducted in the usual manner with the benefits of retail legislative protections.

Look for commercial arrangements and tenure to suit your business proposal or project. There are restrictions that may need to be negotiated to conduct business operations within the resorts and ski field areas.

The alpine resorts present wonderful lifestyle and business opportunities. The resorts contribute over $1.5 billion to the Australian economy annually. TressCox Lawyers are able to help and advise with any of your proposed alpine interests and transactions.

COOL WAY TO TRAVEL: After a wintry blast Falls Creek received its first snowfalls in April. Temperatures this morning dipped to -3C, with residents at the resort waking to a blanket of white snow. Falls Creek Primary students (from left) Emma Lucey, Marko Sugden (middle) and Pearl Maguire take to the snowmobile with the onset of winter approaching. PHOTO: Chris Hocking

Assessing snow sport instructors ASPIRING snow sports instruc tors for the 2013 season will be assessed at a dedicated weekend ski clinic during June.

In order to assess all applicants as fairly as possible, the Hotham Snowsports Centre will conduct dedicated

and separate skills clinics for new and returning ski and snowboard instructors over two days on June 15 and 16.

To check out more details visit http://www.mthotham.com. au/mountain/school/programs/ adultspecialtyprograms

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Join the best ski club on Mt Hotham

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Our lodge in Dargo Court is one of the best located, best equipped and best maintained self catering ski club lodges in the Hotham Davenport Village. All seven bedrooms have ensuites. The views from the lounge are spectacular. The club is focussed on providing the perfect environment for families to have a great time in the snow. Guests are always made welcome by our managers and by our members.

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Membership is equity based. All members have equal rights.

PAGE 12 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — June 2013

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MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — June 2013 — PAGE 13

AGL Hydro staff safety means iPads for schools

LOOKING for a challenge?

Hotham’s Learn to Ski Week aims to teach new riders and skiers a few new skills.

Classes are taught by a team of dedicated ski instructors, before students are able to practice their new found talents on the mountain.

Learners will also gain some general mountain knowledge about snowmaking and grooming experts with trivia scheduled to test your memory.

Accommodation and lift pass deals for the week beginning June 15 can be found at www.mthotham. com.au/mountain/school/lessons/learntoski.

Celebrate Harry’s b’day CELEBRATION plans for Harry the Snowdragon’s birthday party are under way.

Harry’s birthday will be celebrated at the Big D with his live show, party games and birthday cake.

The free event is set for June 26.

ALPINE CONVEYANCING SPECIALISTS

GOOD TO GO: Andy Rookes (Falls Creek), Tarn Dwyer (Tawonga), Ria Dwyer (Tawonga), Isaac Armitage (Falls Creek), Isaac Gorham (Tawonga) and Emma Lucey (Falls Creek) holding the new iPads.

Photo Helen Whittaker

CONTRACTS SECTION 32 VENDOR STATEMENTS ALPINE LEASES SALE OF BUSINESS FAST, FRIENDLY AND COST EFFECTIVE SERVICE

WINNERS ALL ROUND: AGL Hydro senior SCADA controls engineer Stuart Cariss, AGL head of hydro Kathryn Coates, with (behind, from left) Thomas Stanmore, Katelan Stanmore and Erin Gorham, all from Tawonga Primary School.

Photo: Ellen Gorham

Contact us to discuss buying or selling your property

First in Alpine Real Estate Robin Ford - Ph 0430 749 701 www.rtalpine.com.au

CONTACT DEB LEONARD ON 0422 048 494 OR EMAIL dleonard@leonardandassociates.com.au

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STUDENTS attending school at Falls Creek have been hooked in to the latest electronic must-have accessory thanks to a local company.

Falls Creek and Tawonga primary schools have a focus on technology in the classroom this year and AGL Hydro has been willing to help, purchasing seven iPads, four for Tawonga, three for Falls Creek, for student use.

A successful scheme at AGL Hydro resulted in the local schools gaining from the generous donation last month.

For each month AGL employees do not have a lost time injury or medical treatment injury, the company donates an amount of money to a good cause, thus creating a two-fold benefit as employees are encouraged to think about their health and safety.

The staff and students from both schools are very excited about the teaching and learning opportunities that the new devices will provide and wish to thank all AGL Hydro employees for being extra careful at work.

News in brief Up for challenging week?

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For a knowledgeable and pro active service with competitive fees please contact your local expert Rob Ford for an appraisal

PAGE 14 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — June 2013

Events calendar for Falls Creek

www.nenews.com.au

JULY

18 FREE Night Show Spectacular

4 Free Night Show Spectacular: Great skiing in the Village Bowl from 8pm, ending with fireworks display.

6-7 Interschools Grand Prix Championships 11 FREE Night Show Spectacular 12 Rossignol Children’s Cup 13-14 Interschools Grand Prix Championships

20-21 Falls Creek Victorian Children’s Championships 22-26 Mim Sodergren Women’s Ski Program: Hand-picked women instructors give women the chance to improve their skills and overcome their fears in a comfortable and caring environment.

25 FREE Night Show Spectacular

AUGUST 1 FREE Night Show Spectacular 2-3 Falls Creek Sled Dog Classic: Sled dog teams racing under lights in village.

AUGUST 8 FREE Night Show Spectacular 10 Falls Creek Big Air Comp: Skiers and riders to compete in the air.

15 FREE Night Show Spectacular

22 Hoppet Night Sprints: World’s best cross country racers compete head to head in the Village Bowl, from 7pm.

23-25 Mim Sodergren Women’s Program 24 FREE Night Show Spectacular 24 Kangaroo Hoppet: Australia’s premier long distance cross country ski race attracting the best competitors from Australia and around the World.

29 FREE Night Show Spectacular

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AUSTRALIA’S original and most prestigious sled dog race will once again result in sled dog teams from across Australia ascending on the majestic peaks of Mt Hotham for glory.

Dinner Plain Alpine Village, located in the spectacular Victorian High Country, plays host to the Altitude 5000 Sled Dog Challenge, to be held on August 1011 this year.

The Sled Dog Challenge is having its 20th birthday and the important milestone demonstrates how durable the sport has been.

Altitude 5000 would like to invite supporters of the race, both old and new to join us as we acknowledge the event’s great history, and look forward to an exciting future.

More than 70 Mushers (dog team drivers), and in excess of 350 sled dogs are expected to compete in this year’s event across four classes.

With the sport maturing, and some of the mushers and dogs, the popular Touring class will be on the program, giving older, retired dog sled teams an opportunity to once again run on the

MUSH, MUSH: Sled dogger Travis Johnson gets a move on in the 2012 Dinner Plain Sled Dog Challenge, which attracted quality teams from across the country and the Tasman. snow in a less competitive environment.

The race provides a unique experience for competitors and

spectators alike to experience the sport of sled dog racing in a pristine Alpine Environment.

Book now as this unique event

is not to be missed and accommodation in the picturesque Dinner Plain Village can be hard to find during snow season.

Ash is ready to dish it up at Falls Creek THE well-earned reputation of Falls Creek’s numerous restaurants and après ski bars will be enhanced by the collective experience of two chefs employed to satisfy hungry skiers and boarders.

John Alcorn, the owner of Falls Creek-based Feathertop Restaurant and Mo’s Bar, is overwhelmed by the expertise of the chefs he’s recruited for the resort’s winter season “They are not run-of-the-mill local chefs, they both have acquired an amazing array of cooking skills from their international travels,” he said.

Ash Smith (a snowboarder who will learn to ski this winter) began his passion for producing quality cuisine in his native home of New Zealand while working alongside a Japanese chef Ishi Kura at the award-winning Aorangi Peak Restaurant in Rotorua, the popular tourist destination in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island.

“I am very fortunate to have Ash and another talented chef Fern Jones, who has also gained valuable skills while working in kitchens overseas, in my restaurant this winter,” John said.

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Fern’s specialty is pastries and her time on Hayman Island, Dunk Island, at Byron Bay, Noosa, Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove, Sorrento, Victoria and in English and German hotel kitchens has added more skills to her repertoire.

While Fern reckons she’s good on the grill and with the pans, John’s convinced she will be the ideal partner for Ash in the kitchen.

“They are without doubt the most talented duo I’ve ever employed in my time running my restaurant at Falls Creek,” he said.

“Both chefs have been influenced by some of the best in the business and they’ll raise the bar yet again for the resort’s hungry skiers and boarders.

“From Queen’s Birthday, the official opening long weekend, Feathertop Restaurant and Mo’s Bar will be open seven days a week.”

BURNING DESIRE TO EXCEL: Ash Smith will leave diners with a memorable experience when they visit Feathertop Restaurant and Mo’s Bar.

A perfect week to learn how to ski, board DO you have friends who have never tried skiing or snowboarding?

Wouldn’t you love to introduce them to the snow so they can see for themselves what all the fuss is about? Now you can.

Learn to Ski Week is back in 2013.

The first Learn to Ski Week this season is from June 15-21.

Of course, guests at Hotham can learn to ski and snowboard at any time during the season with Hotham’s dedicated

snowsports experts at the Hotham Snowsports School for adults and kids.

However, Learn to Ski Week is designed specifically for first-timers to hit the slopes in a supportive environment with other beginners who are

new to the snow.

Adults will get an all-inclusive Learn to Ski package including a beginner lift pass, group lesson and equipment hire.

The longer you stay, the cheaper it is with multiday discounts.

www.nenews.com.au

MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — June 2013 — PAGE 15

Calendar of events at Mt Hotham for June, July

JUNE

9 June Come and Try - snow or no snow: Come and Try biathlon at the Whiskey Flat Biathlon Range from 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm. 12 years above and FREE. 15-21 June Learn to Ski Week: Can’t ski or board?

Doesn’t matter! This is the week to learn a new sport and show off to your friends! Hit the slopes for a week of exciting activities where you can hone your snowsports skills with our team of dedicated ski instructors, then brush up on your mountain knowledge with some trivia after you speak to our snowmaking and grooming experts. Accommodation and lift pass deals are on offer this week so stay tuned to find out more! Click here for more information.

15 June Snowsports Skills Centre Clinic 2013: There are a number of full-time and part-time positions to join the Hotham Snowsports Centre as a ski or snowboard instructor for the 2013 season. In order to assess all applicants as fairly as possible, the Hotham Snowsports Centre will be conducting dedicated and separate Skills Clinics for ski and snowboard (both for first-time instructors and instructors with experience) over two days.

23 June Come and Try - snow or no snow: Come and Try biathlon at the Whiskey Flat Biathlon Range from 10am-12pm and 1pm-3pm. 12 years above and FREE. 26 June Harry the Snowdragon’s Birthday Party: Come and celebrate Harry’s birthday at the Big D with his live show, party games and birthday cake!

FREE. 29 June Fireworks at Hotham: Watch as the winter night ski lights up during the highest fireworks display in Australia.

Fireworks shows are held at Hotham’s Summit Ski Run. Best viewing from near the Summit Trainer or across the road near Zirky’s and Hotham Central.

29 June - 5 July Hotham Snowboarders Inc School Holiday Program 1: The school holiday programs are designed to develop all round freestyle race and mountain snowboarding skills. Riders will have the opportunity to compete in the Australian Junior Series, Victorian Interschools, Interschool Nationals, the A la Carte in the Park Series, Hotham SBX Festival and more.

Cost: $795 http:// hothamsnowboarders. com.au/

JULY

biathlon champions! $20 for participants and free for spectators.

26 July - 2 August Frosty Fruits Gay Ski Week: Hotham hosts the Frosty Fruits Ski Trip with plenty of groomed fun both on and off the slopes. New in 2013 are short stay and long stay options. Enjoy a quick visit from 25 July - 28 July or make the most of it and stay for the week from 26 July - 2 August.

27July Pea Brain Soup Big Air: Held at the Big D colosseum, Pea Brain Soup Big Air gives contestants from around Australia the chance to get together and wow the crowd with big air and impressive jumps. Part of the A la Carte in the Park Series, this event is one not to be missed!

29 July - 2 August FIS ANC - Giant Slalom: Hotham will again be hosting two international Giant Slalom races on the famous Snake Gully showcasing the

highest level of Alpine Ski Racing in the Southern Hemisphere. Come and cheer on our nation’s top Alpine racers. Olympians and National Team athletes from 18 countries will compete to improve their world ranking and for the title of ANC Champion.

29 July - 2 August RAAF Games: See the Navy, Army and RAAF battle it out on the slopes for on-snow supremacy in Slalom, Giant Slalom and Snowboard Cross disciplines.

29 July - 2 August Women’s Week (ski and snowboard): Fine tune your technique at the 2013 Ocean Spray Women’s Week from 29 July - 2 August. 5 day and 3 day options available. Ski or snowboard with like minded ladies and receive tips from our best female instructors.

Optional sessions on women’s equipment, ski alignment and tuning, Pilates, plus a massage at the White Spa.

LEARNING THE ROPES ON THE SLOPES: Sam White from Goolwa in South Australia enjoyed his skiing lesson with ski instructor Jane Myers at Mt Hotham last year. Sam was learning all about the sport as part of Learn to Ski Week, which included group snowsports lessons, activities and kids trivia. With good natural and manmade snowfalls, and school holidays here, there will be plenty more kids on the slopes learning this month.

PHOTO: Hotham TV

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6 July Bread and Butters Rail Jam: To welcome the snow and the opening of the Basin Rail Park, Hotham is hosting a rail jam to get you into full swing for the A la Carte in the Park series set to launch this season. Preregistration at Boardbox or Guest Services in Hotham Central.

6-12 July Hotham

Snowboarders Inc. School Holiday Program 2: The school holiday programs are designed to develop all round freestyle race and mountain snowboarding skills. Riders will have the opportunity to compete in the Australian Junior Series, Victorian Interschools, Interschool Nationals, the A la Carte in the Park Series, Hotham SBX Festival and more. Cost: $795 8-13 July Park Rangers Squad: The chance for 7-14 year olds to benefit from 6 hours instruction each day focused on Hotham’s natural terrain.

Spend time in the park and on the bumps. Includes two video sessions and lunch for $811 (lift ticket additional). Open to advanced skiers and riders.

13 July Cheese and Crackered Rail Jam: Hotham’s park crew are gearing up for the second entree to our A la Carte in the Park Series for 2013 with the Cheese and Crackered Rail Jam! Come and watch as the crew show off their skills. If you’re keen to join in, register at Boardbox or Guest Services in Hotham Central.

13-14 July Cruz the Blues and Conquer the Blacks: Spend the July school holidays exploring the mountain with our Cruz the Blues passport event.

Take on the mountain over three select weekends. Get your passport stamped at the checkpoints and go in the running to win a multitude of weekly prizes plus a grand prize giveaway at the end. Open to all ages, this program is a fun way for groups and families to discover what Hotham Alpine Resort has to offer and win! See www.hotham. com.au/passport for the latest updates.

17-18 July Tassie Interschools: Competition heats up again with the Tasmanian schools competing against each other on Hotham’s tough terrain. The Tassie Interschools championships take place over two days, with each school battling it out to prove they are the best on the slopes.

20-21 July Merlin’s Magic Wand Fundraiser: Help raise money by donating a small amount to Merlin’s Magic Wand - providing magical experiences to ill, disabled, or disadvantaged children. www.merlinsmagicwand. org.

20-21 July SkiMag Demo Weekend: Try before you buy this weekend at the SkiMag Demo Weekend. Major brands will be available to trial at the top of the Village Chair. Register to test the latest models for two days and receive a goodie bag and subscription to the SkiMag. 20-21 July Victorian Biathlon Championships: Check out the Victorian Biathlon Championships at the Whiskey Flat Biathlon Range this weekend.

Contestants ranging in age from 12 to 60+ will compete in a sprint event on Saturday and a mass start event on Sunday to reveal the 2013 Victorian

PAGE 16 — MT HOTHAM FALLS CREEK NEWS — June 2013

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J o i n i n t h e c o n ve r s a t i o n

ST MORITZ, SWITZERLAND COUPLES PACKAGE HOTEL HAUSER ❄❄❄

$1159 *

per person

Includes 7 nights twin share accommodation with breakfast.

Valid 06 Jan – 08 Mar.

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@MogulSkiWorld

mogulski.com.au ❄ 1800 335 724 ❄ reservations@mogulski.com.au LIC #31304 *conditions apply please contact Mogul Ski World for all details