New online booking system

For some time the committee has been considering the possibility of an online booking system. We thought it would be useful to have, but we needed something that would fit our booking rules and practices and not increase the cost of your stays. We have now decided to adopt the system that is already in use for AAC lodges at Anton, Dinner Plain and Perisher. This system was developed by an AAC member and has evolved over the last few years to meet the varying needs of the different lodges. While it may not have all the bells and whistles you might ideally like, it should make booking more convenient for many members.

When complete, the new booking system will allow you to

• see actual vacancies
• see your bookings
• submit booking requests online
• pay for your booking online by Visa and Mastercard
• pay for your booking by EFT (outside the system)
• in future, book into other AAC lodges from the same system

The same booking conditions apply to bookings made through this system and through the booking forms. Some of these are automated, but others rely on you following the rules. Just because the system might not seem to enforce a rule doesn’t mean that it no longer applies. The booking officer has final responsibility for balancing lodge occupancy against individual member requests. Your booking is not confirmed until you receive an official email from the booking officer.

To use the booking system you must:

• be a financial member of AAC Falls Creek or an affiliated lodge that also uses the same booking system
• have provided a current email address to the club. (The system relies on your email address so it is essential that you keep your contact details up to date.)

You don't have to use the new system; you can continue to use the booking forms if you wish and the booking officer will give them equal treatment to those submitted online. Indeed you will still need to use booking forms when making bookings in the period before 1 March. Demand for school holidays and some other weeks can be so high that the only way of handling the bookings fairly is to keep all bookings manual for the "members only" booking period.

We are still sorting out some final details but we hope to make the booking system available to members in the next week or so. Our plan is to send all members an email with their username and password and instructions on using the system. Please advise ProAcct (03 9880 9600) if your email address has changed or you may miss out on getting your userid and password to access the booking system.

Because the booking system has much better occupancy information, we will no longer put the booking stastus on the blog.

We intend to demonstrate the booking system at the AGM. The instructions document should guide you through using the system, but we realise that some may prefer the reassurance of seeing a demonstration.

EFT Payments

We have been reviewing out banking facilities and can now offer payments by EFT (direct deposit), not just credit cards..

EFT is the club's preferred method of payment as it means that more of your money can be used for your lodge, instead of bank fees.It is critical that when you make payments by EFT, you always use a reference given to you by the club, eg a booking reference, member ID or invoice number. Where possible, please also include the member's name.

EFT details are

Name:	Australian Alpine Club Falls Creek Inc
BSB:	063130
Account:	10096410
Reference:	it is critical that you always use a reference that clearly identifies who you are and what the payment is for, eg booking reference, member id, invoice number or at least the name of the member

Autumn at Falls Creek

Why not visit your lodge in Autumn for adventure or serenity of the Bogong High Plains?

Every year, as part of the Melbourne Food &Wine Festival, there are a number of World's Longest Lunch events. On Friday 14th March Falls Creek will be the venue of a World's Longest Lunch. It promises to be a fantastic event beside Rocky Valley Lake (with a contingency for bad weather) and food will be provided by Barry Iddles of Winterhaven, Elk and Sorrento Catering Company. Details at fallscreek.com.au/LongestLunch

 
Falls Creek is increasingly popular with athletes: cyclists, rowers, runners, triathletes, even professional footballers. The roads and trails offer altitude training in picturesque surroundings. The lodge makes a great base for a club or group of friends.

And of course the new mountain bike trails offer a great new activity for the fit and adventurous.

See more about "green" season at Falls Creek at fallscreek.com.au/AllSeasonBrochure.

Mountain Bike Trails

The new mountain bike trails are open and reported to be heaps of fun.


Information from fallscreek.com.au/MTB

Wombats Ramble XC Loops

Intermediate
The most visible trails are found amongst the snowgums of the Wombats Ramble area (you may have seen parts of them riding the Falls Express Chairlift last Winter). Able to be ridden as one giant loop, the network consists of two trails - one riding uphill and one riding down. Whilst classified as cross country, there are some great downhill features and corners to navigate at speed.

The trails are intersected by the Aqueduct trail which means you can also ride each as a separate loop - one above the aqueduct and one below. Keep an eye out for some spectacular viewpoints and rocky outcrops along the way.

International DH Trail

Intermediate
We all love skiing and boarding the International Poma area in Winter. This downhill trail now brings just as much fun in Summer! Starting at the Summit Chair top (summit chair will run Ester Sat & Sun), the trail winds down under the Poma line before zig-zagging down Grand Coer ski run and cutting through Short & Curly to the base of the Summit Chair.

Gully XC Trail

Intermediate
This trail connects the popular "Wishing Well" spot to the Gully region by the base of the International Poma and Gully Chairlift. Winding its way down, it is classed cross country but with a downhill aspect.

Download a trail map

Working Bee - May 2014

Every May some members head up to the lodge to spend a weekend doing all those little jobs that need to be done before the season.

Attendance is optional. People with trade skills are particularly welcome, but all willing hands are appreciated.

Most people arrive late on Friday night. Andrew & Myra provide brekkie & lunch on Saturday & Sunday as well as Saturday dinner. It's great to stock up your locker and catch up with people before the season. For new members it is a great opportunity to meet old hands. However it is first and foremost a working weekend.

The tasks very from year to year but typically would include

• moving firewood into the store (a big job for many hands)
• painting
• cleaning & organising the kitchen cupboards & contents
• turning mattresses & mending protectors
• minor repairs
• small carpentry jobs
• checking & replacing light globes
• weeding and other gardening

Friday 2 May - Sunday 4 May

If you can help this year, please contact our Lodge Supervisor Justin Checcucci

Early Bird Season Pass

If you missed out on ordering a Hero Pass, you can still save money on a season pass.

Adult season pass is $1249 if you buy by 30 April, $300 off the full price.

see fallscreek.com.au/SeasonPass for details

Resort Management have not yet released information about resort entry season passes.

Winter Olympics special - 5 day any day ticket $399

If you are not planning on skiing or boarding enough to get a Hero Pass for this season, you might be interested in this deal from the lift company.

Th pass is valid for any 5 days in the 2014 season - they don't have to be consecutive. Offer is only open until the Sochi closing ceremony.

see http://www.skifalls.com.au for details

New Falls Creek Logo

The lift company and Falls Creek Resort Management have got together and agreed on a single logo for Falls Creek. It will be phased in gradually; noone wants to waste money replacing signs etc that are still ok in every other way. You should start seeing it on advertising.