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
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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.”