Spring Pass

Today, Fri 25th August, is the last day to pick up a spring lift pass.

There's a metre and a half of snow and the runs are all in great shape. Spring Pass lets you ski from Mon 4th Sept till the end of the season. $449 for Adults and $269 for Kids and Seniors

The blizzard we've been waiting for

It's been a few years since we had a big snow storm. Starting on Friday 4th August we've had wind and whiteout and thunder and lightening - and lots of lovely dry snow.

It's been a bit chaotic on the road with trees down, power lines down, vehicle accidents and an influx of Hotham skiers unable to get up the road from Harrietville. They ran out of day car parks today. But as I write, the road has reopened to all traffic.

Ski patrol are reporting average snow depth of 150cm. The lodge is pretty full for the next few weeks but there are a few nights with beds for singles. Check the booking system

Club Race

You will be shocked to learn that Ross B didn't win this year.

That makes more sense when I add that the race had to be cancelled because of the blizzard conditions.

Club Race - Waiver Form

When reviewing the various insurance policies held by the club, the committee was very disappointed to learn that it was not possible to obtain cover for ski racing. The risk of a member seeking to sue the club in connection with a race is tiny, but if it did arise it could be ruinous.

The lift company already requires race participants to sign a liability waiver to protect the company. The club needs adult competitors to also sign a waiver form exluding liability for the club and waiving right to sue. Competitors under 18 will need to have their adult guardian sign their form.

Participants need to decide for themselves (or their child or minor under their guardianship) that the course and conditions on the day are suitable for their skills and abilities. There is no obligation or pressure for members to participate if they are not confident about the course or conditions, regardless of whether they have previously entered or said they intended to race.

You can read/download a copy from aacfallscreek.com/xDocs/Forms/Race_Waiver.pdf

All lifts are now open

International poma opened at lunchtime Thursday 27 July, so we now have all lifts open.

**BIG NEWS** International Poma is set to open at 1pm today! Making plans for the weekend? ALL lifts are turning at Falls 👊🎿🏂 #fallscreek #itsmymountain #fallscreeksnow #international

A post shared by Falls Creek Resort (@fallscreek) on Jul 26, 2017 at 6:41pm PDT

Ignition: Mountain Bike season opening celebration 18-19 Nov

There's still a lot of skiing and boarding to do this season, but we know that it won't last forever. Don't despair as spring brings patches of green and the sound of running water back to the mountain, Instead start planning you summer trip to Falls.

Mountain biking at Falls gets bigger every year and the Summer 17/18 season will kick off with Ignition weekend on 18 & 19 November. This weekend is supported by 4 local craft breweries Sweetwater (Mt Beauty), Blizzard (Dinner Plain), Bright Brewery and Bridge Road (Beechworth) so the beer hall alone will be worth the trip. Features of the weekend include Gravity shuttles, backcountry rides supported by shuttles, Flowtown night ride, demo bikes, drift trikes, skill sessions, tech sessions, mechanic, dinner & brekkie, street food.

To make it easier for people to attend, the usual summer minimum booking fee ($300) will be waived for this weekend, making it just $30 per night for members, $42 for guests.

Last year this event was sold out so don't leave it too late to book.

Details at ignitionmtb.com.au

More Blue Dirt information

Booking Officer contacts details are changing

Alan Long will still be our booking officer, but after many years Ken Long Tyre Specialists has closed so contact details will change.

From 15 July, contact details will be

Phone: 03 9328 4491 (unchanged but likely to change after the season)
Email: mrkflong@bigpond.com (unchanged)
Post: 24 St James Rd Heidelberg 3084
 and of course the online booking system lodgebooking.com.au/aac_falls_creek/memberPortal.php

This change also presented an opportunity to review the service provided. It is rare for bookings to be made by FAX or in person. Bookings by these means will no longer be available.

We wish Alan all the best as he enters a new stage in his career.

Winter is here and Summit is turning

It's been a slowish start to the season but gradually the base is building and runs are opening. It's been snowing on and off since Monday morning. Last night there was excitement as we saw groomers on village for the first time. Now all the lifts are turning except Lakeside and Inter. Tuesday was blizzardy with lifts on hold much of the time. Today there are lots of smiling faces: wind has died down and there's plenty of fresh stashes to play in.

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Saturday 22nd: Lakeside is turning too

Thursday 27th: and Inter means all lifts are open

Spa renovation

The gremlins have been paticularly troublesome, causing a few delays to the spa renovation.  The gremlins are now vanquished (hopefully)and it's almost at a point where we can open it. It's looking really good and we think you'll agree that it is worth the wait: new cedar panelling on the ceiling and walls, light grey non-slip floor tiles, pale blue spa tiles. The new shower and toilet can be completed after the spa opens, as can rock work on feature walls. The plumbing has also been improved to avoid external pipes and to improve access to some controls.

Racing success

Club members & guests have been competing in various events over the school holidays.

Firstly Sarah, Mia and Zara from St Catherines competed in Vic Junior Cross Country Sprints, with Zara winning the U14 division.

Then Ross B entered the Cranky Charlie cup for the first time and came away with the trophy

and the next day daughter Carla came 3rd in Division 2 of King of the Mountain

Congratulations to all our racers