That's it for 2013

What a strange season we've had! I've been skiing at Falls for over 30 years and it's the weirdest I can recall.

We had some fabulous snow falls and great fun in deep fresh snow. The second week of Vic school holidays saw 7 days in a row of beautiful dry snow under blue skies - a rare treat. We've had a landslide that isolated the village overnight. We've had torrential rain that has turned slopes into rivers. Away from the groomers, the base never really consolidated. Despite reaching a peak depth of approx 1.6 metres, spring touring was almost non-existent. But most weeks have had some great skiing and boarding.

Falls Creek once again proved itself the most reliable ski resort in Victoria. Buller and Hotham struggled to keep slopes open in September and both called it quits a week early. Falls still had Towers and Ruined Castle providing some fun until the official end of the season on Sunday 29th. You'll be pleased to know that Andrew was one of the dedicated bunch who were there for the last ride on Scott chair.

AAC Falls Creek has had a pretty good season with good occupancy from late June through to the end of August, and again for the last week. Thanks to Andrew & Myra for being such great hosts.

Since the start of the year we have welcomed 9 new members. Some are familiar faces who have been guests of family & friends in the past. Others are new to the club. New members keep clubs vibrant and we are very happy to welcome them all and encourage them to make the most of the lodge and the friendships they find there.

And of course we did do rather well in the interclub races too.

Hope you all had as much fun as I did in this weird season.

Hero Pass - closes 10 October

It's on again. Pay a $199 deposit now and the $550 balance in April to get your season pass. Children, secondary students and seniors  pay $99 now and $330 in April.

If you intend to ski or board more than 7 days at Falls and Hotham in 2014, this is a great deal.

Details at www.heropass.com.au

Ski lockers are not forever

The committee has been pondering the problem of over-full ski lockers. They are so full that it can be almost impossible, and sometimes dangerous, to get bags in and out. Secure ski and board storage is a great facility that many members value. At this stage it is free and unrestricted. It would be good if we could keep it this way.

One of the causes (written about here recently) is that some members have been packing clothes, boots and other gear into their ski/board bags. We have reminded you that this is not appropriate and that offending bags will be removed.

Another cause of the very full lockers is leaving old gear there. The intention was always that lockers were for storage during the season, not between seasons. The policy is that bags are to be removed by the end of the season. That time has come and the lockers are still pretty full. Doubtless some of the gear has been there for some years. The worst scenario is when new equipment is added but old gear is not removed.

Whether we decide to give the current system another try from a fresh start, or install another solution, the cages need to be empty.

Accordingly the committee requires that all bags be removed from the lockers before the end of September 2014. If you have old gear, please remove it as early as possible. Your current gear needs to be gone before the end of the season.