2017 GRAVITY ENDURO NATIONAL SERIES JUST IN TIME… From the

from This Week in Falls Creek & Mount Beauty - 23 June 2023

CROSS COUNTRY NEWS

Round One - Falls Creek

he National Gravity Enduro Series acts as the qualifying series for the Enduro World Series. See mention in the article with Ben McIlroy.

TChief Operating Officer

Round One of the GE National Series will be staged this weekend, beginning with practice sessions from 11am Friday.

One of the best noises, when waking up in a ski resort, is the echo of snow clearing equipment. Or, if staying close to BHP road at Falls Creek, it’s the clash of a front-end loader blade engaging with the road surface as it clears the falling snow from the roads, car parks and walkways. The piercing sound of the reversing heavy machinery warning alarms and the flood of light from the LED’s beaming down the road and lighting it up like the MCG at Friday night footy. It’s the sign of a great day ahead but also means I don’t need to set my alarm!

Mountain Bike Australia in conjunction with Falls Creek Resort Management are pleased to present Round One of the 2017 Gravity Enduro National Series. The series is Australia wide with Round Two being held at Stromlo Forest ACT in May. Round Three will be at Balingup WA in June; Round Four will go to Rockhampton in July and the final round will be held on Woodford Island, on the Clarence River in northern NSW in August.

The popularity of mountain biking continues to grow. From the great efforts of some Mount Beauty locals in the 90’s - to hosting the Nationals in Feb 2000 - to the point where we have some of the best tracks in the country - both in Mount Beauty and in Falls Creek. The growth and the success means we can continue to host fabulous events.

The current snowstorm and the forecast for the week leading into the school holidays looks like it will ensure the dumping of a solid foundation across the resort. Just in time for the rush of guests and visitors from around Australia, as they all come to the ultimate Australian alpine village. As the only true ski in and ski out village in Australia, this week’s storm has set up the village roads ahead of the school holiday rush.

The beauty of the ski in ski out convenience here at Falls Creek is unparalleled in Australia. ‘Clicking in’ in the morning and skiing to Halley’s Comet, Eagle or the Gully chair to start your day out on the mountain, then, after having exhausted yourself and it’s time to head back in, the options are endless too… Drop in off Wombats or slide to the bottom and get back to Slalom Plaza, carve off Milky Way after showing your skills to all those riding Halley’s Comet and duck off onto Parallel or Arlberg street, take Short Cut off Days End and zip down Ory’s, cruise back to the Bowl along Broadway, or smash down the Summit, through the Village Bowl - then

During the course of the weekend, several of the trails will be closed to general riders although Blue Dirt will have shuttles running on Friday from 11am to 6pm and again on Saturday from 9am to 5pm. Cost is $50 per day or $90 for 2 days. Go to www.bluedirt. com.au to book. On Sunday the trails will be closed to the general public, but will progressively open as the different sections of the event are completed. Pretty Valley Road will also have closures and be subject to delays should anyone be travelling back from the horse yards or Pretty Valley Pondage. Now this Gravity Enduro is a different sort of mountain bike racing to what we know as Downhill or Cross Country. The Gravity Enduro is both. The athletes will start with a warm up ride from Slalom Plaza, out the Bogong High Plains Road, up the Pretty Valley Road and then across to the Trig take your pick of village roads and you’ll be home in no time. The locals have a myriad of other options to get to the village, but unless you can ski like the late and great JP Auclair (https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=1-VCWUtNm-4) stick to the more direct routes!

Plus sticking to the more direct routes, will enable you to click out on the way home for some après at any of the bars or restaurants peppered throughout the village for a cheeky beverage, before taking your boots off for the day.

No time to be smelling the roses during this weekend’s Gravity Enduro. Pic - Jiri Cech.

If skinny ski’s and kick and glide are your thing, then the aqueduct through the village, under Halley’s Comet, all the way along it and above BHP road will take you out to the Nordic Bowl and the extensive cross country network within the resort and out into the Alpine National Park.

Point on the Frying Pan Spur. The aim of the game is to ride each section no faster than the fastest time allowed, and no slower than the set slowest time. Then they do the competitive bit, before riding to the start of the next competitive bit without beating or exceeding the times permitted. At the time of going to print, the final course had not been set, but they look like taking in High Voltage and Wishing Well, then heading to Flowtown, completing that before heading to Thunderbolt and then to Generator and Vortex before finishing in Slalom Plaza. Sound like a pretty easy day!!

RESORT ENTRY PERMITS

Open by Appointment

WHEN THE BRIGHT YELLOW FLAGS ARE OUT

– WE’RE OPEN Usual Hours 12noon – 4pm

For Groups, Clubs etc

Locate right beside the bottom station of Halley’s Comet Chairlift! Spend some time and take in the fabulous history that has earned this community so much respect!

Now, a big welcome to all those families who have decided to spend part, or all of the school holidays with us here at Falls Creek. As always there is plenty on offer, from Twilight Tuesdays in the Village Bowl, night skiing, demo days, Rossignol Cup and of course fireworks (July-Aug).

Phone: 03 5758 1200

And, talk to any member of our team about the rewards of volunteering in the Falls Creek Museum.

AGL Hydro

Please try to allow 24hours notice.

4 Slalom Street, southern end of the Panabode building.

For further information:

Phone: 03 5758 1202 for further information

Wb: www.fallscreekmuseum.com.au

Em: info@fallscreekmuseum.com.au

Fb: facebook.com/fallscreekmuseum www.fallscreekmuseum.com.au info@fallscreekmuseum.com.au Facebook/fallscreekmuseum

A Resort Entry Vehicle Permit is required for your vehicle when entering the resort between 10th June and 1st October 2023. The entrance to the resort is at Howman’s Gap, approximately 4km below the village. Permits can be pre-purchased and printed at home prior to arriving at the resort, or purchased at the resort entrance ticket office.

The day rate is $56 if you purchase your entry permit on-line. An additional $7 applies to purchases at the ticket box. If arriving after 5pm and departing the resort prior to midnight on the same day, resort entry is free!

Season Entry Permits are available for purchase on-line for $550 and can be collected at Howman’s Gap Ticket Office or the Visitor Information Centre.

Resort Entry Fees fund the essential services of:

• Ski Patrol

• Water Supply

• Waste Management

• Car Parking

• Snow Clearing

• Visitor Information Services

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Pre-purchasing Resort Entry Tickets and printing at home makes it faster and easier for you to get in to the resort.

Visitor Information Centre

The Falls Creek Visitor Information Centre is located upstairs in the Falls Creek Alpine Resort office, on the corner of Slalom Street and Snowgums Lane. Open Daily from 8am – 5pm for visitor information and gym memberships. Ph: 03 5758 1200.

Map Ref: E4

Accommodation Transfer Service (ATS)

Operating from the Terminal Building on Bogong High Plains Rd, the Accommodation Transfer service will transport you, your group and your luggage to your accommodation in the village. Tickets can be pre-purchased online or at the ATS terminal.

Hours of Operation:

Saturday – Thursday: 8am – 10pm

Fridays: 8am – 12 midnight

The weekend’s program sort of goes like this. Saturday: 9am to 16:00 is compulsory practice. 10am to 18:30 is rider registration and Info Tent open. 17:00 to 17:30 is rider briefing. From 18:00 on there is a social evening at Last Hoot Restaurant and Bar in Slalom Plaza. Sunday: 8am to 9am Rider Briefing and Timing activation. 8:30am to 1430pm Trails Open for GE competition.1500 to 1630 Presentations. If you’re into biking and would like to enjoy some good action, be at Falls Creek this weekend. Further detail from 03 5758 1200. •

For More Information

St Falls West. Open 10am - 5pm daily. Ph: 03 5758 3009.

For more details about Falls Creek Resort, please visit: www.fallscreek.com.au are now closed to traffic.

Falls Creek Child Care is open Mon - Fri and is located in Slalom Plaza next to Stingray. The Centre is open to children aged 12 weeks to 5 years old and is run by fully qualified educators and is eligible for government rebates.Booking is essential. Phone 03 5758 1244 or

Upstairs Resort Management Office (above day shelter) Open 9am - 5pm weekdays and 10am - 3pm weekends

Foodie tip of Week: Bob Sugar

(https://www.bobsugar.com.au/)

Nestled inside Elk, Bob Sugar’s is Asian fusion, with a heavy nod to some Japanese flavours and favourites. The choice is very selective, but comprehensive, and for large groups (six or more) the banquet options are the best way to go. Our party of four went with Banquet #2 and got a little bit of everything - though we’ll have to go back, as there’s still plenty more to try. I’ve spent and continue to spend a fair bit of time in Japan so can be pretty picky… but the Tuna Sesame Crackers were something new to me and phenomenal. I could just eat them all night long. Nonetheless, all the dishes were spot on. The wine list is full of popular varietals and regions, designed to complement the food on offer.

Insiders tip: have a pre and/or post (recommend both options if I’m being honest) dinner libation at Apartment 3, also part of the Elk complex. It’s a very stylish and lux, intimate and chilled location to start or end the evening.