Management rabbits on about the village atmosphere but there's no heart to this 'village'. What it needs is a square - a place to stop, enjoy the views, and have a coffee or a meal in the open air. Imagine a paved area with a fountain and umbrellas, and visible from the road so that passers-by decide to stop. The obvious candidate was Slalom Plaza but that was screwed by the QT development and by having to become a pedestrian cross-road. Gully is a possibility but the views aren't good. QT's view-robbing is just another case of private profit pursued at the expense of the public good. The only asset the resort has is space and of course it's going to trade space for development (witness the ATS proposal) but how hard it goes into the negotiations to ensure public goods are also produced is the question.
And yet Falls RMB is one of the major pushers for the Alpine Crossing walk which is largely supposed to be a summer thing. All the time they have perfect infrastructure to cater for the type of person who wants comfort and good food plus the enjoyment of the Alpine National Park. I visit Falls in summer regularly and while I don't mind Milche, I would sometimes like a change. There is great opportunity for Falls to market to summer money spenders but it has shown a severe lack of vision up until recently. I spend money and take friends who spend money in Falls. I also camp up there. Nothing better than finishing a 4 day walk with a burger and chips. Wash it down with a beer. I think I have said all this before.
In my opinion the Slalom Plaza area is one of my biggest disappointments, particularly in winter. It should be a ski area highlight, instead I find that for most of winter it is a haphazard eyesore. The total lack of snow management by QT means that outside areas are unable to be fully utilised, there is very little public gathering areas/seating, the atmosphere and vibe outside QT facilities is anything but upmarket featuring often poor choice of public area music, a rough rude customer base with prevalent smoking, swearing and unappealing atmosphere. It has potential to be a great space.
+1 The current set-up actually makes it complicated, cumbersome and laborious to move between lifts and amenities - completely unintegrated with the village! Same goes for the area at Falls Express/ Halleys. Give me Windy Corner any day - and even then the recent placement of the services shipping container at the shelter is an ugly, invasive eyesore - the tail wagging the dog - visitor amenity not the priority.
Yes. I can understand how the resort would develop ad hoc in the 50s but 70 years later the lack of holistic planning shows. Have a look at Thredbo for an example of public space provision.
Well my season's over courtesy of an MCL tear but at least it's the end and not the beginning of winter. It's been sensational overall and one to remember. Some of the highlights ... * telemarking down to Road 24 from the McKay summit * floating down Main St on light dry snow * getting better at telemarking with coaching * breakthroughs on speed and steeps * discovering the benefits of NTN bindings: feel, stability, responsiveness * showing other chook-footers the resort and some sidecountry * the friendly and helpful Windy Corner staff and lifties * a boarder collecting my yardsale for me after a double eject * conversations on the lifts * seeing some folk in lift queues take the initiative to form into fours
You're not saying anything that I've not been saying for the last 20 years and I agree with you and Ziggy wholeheartedly. There is money to be made from tourers and cross country skiers as well but the people in charge seem to have huge blinkers on where changes are concerned, chasing the same dead rabbit for the last dozen years in my opinion
Hi all, I've got a hero pass for 2018 and I was wanting to redeem the free lift pass + hire voucher tomorrow at Falls Creek, however I can't find anywhere that lets me do this online. I could've sworn I saw such a link early in the season though! Is it as simply as rocking up to the ticket booth and asking for it then and there or is there a hidden link that allows me to do it online? I'm worried that I've missed some cut off date to use the vouchers, but I wasn't under the impression that they had to be redeemed by a certain date (obviously by the end of the season). Thanks!!
really tempted for a couple days thur fri next week.. cover going to hold up till then or not worth it?? lookin warm and a bit wet next week
With a current base of 129cm, I reckon the predicted rain on Wednesday through Friday won’t chew through all of it - most trails are still open... Southern side will still have snow. They’re keeping the resort open till the 7th...
Interesting reading from a recent email: FCRM's end of season presentation can be viewed here and FCSL's here.
Visitors down significantly over 2017 but visitor days up very slightly. Quote - Injured skier rate 1.8 per 1000 skiers industry target is <3.0. End quote. That would have to be a substantial underestimation, as it's based on ski patrol callouts. The standard of access to and communication in the FCSL report is really bad. And the company is working on different visitor numbers to FCRM for heaven's sake.
Haven't read either yet. In general this year I've found fcsl much more interested in spin than info. I'd probably be surprised if they used identical data though. FCSL don't necessarily tell FCRM all their data from lift sales and use. for some purposes it will be more accurate/useful than FCRM data. For other puurposes it will be useless.
Well my first impression was to say "BS" out loud for both presentations, heck what do I really know; but I do miss the old village atmosphere and many of the old facilities like the SEC BBQs even if those were 30 years ago
Picked up my HP's yesterday, & annual pass included last week's access as well - just means that I am committed for next season. Note that NSW School Holidays are the first 2 weeks of July - so good snow for the kids if you're planning on coming down.
Passenger numbers in cars & buses would be about the same as visitor numbers, heli only accounts for a small % of visitors. FCSL numbers would reflect skier/boarder days but not XC skiers, hikers and other non-ski activies. The quality of the stats is totally dependent upon the data - my skiing totals looks totally different if I turn the GPS off at the bottom of each lift and back on at the top (total Km more than halved) but my effort looks a lot better as the uphill is not relevant.
yes but passenger numbers are a wild estimate, especially with increased online sales and season passes.
Giving it a miss for 2019, +1 made a meal of her calf during the second trip and is still in a moon boot awaiting a 2nd opinion on whether surgery is the better option. Will have to take it on the nose if it comes good for 2019
Just glad I haven’t missed it. I thought the email for the sale of the resort entry for new customers said that the returning season pass would be released the week later.
FCRM advise: Opening of resort roads will be communicated as conditions allow. Priority will be BHP Rd to the lake, Road 24 and Pretty Valley Rd. Given the snowpack this season it is unlikely the road connection to Omeo will be open prior to the Melbourne Cup long weekend
Today. $375. Received my email this morning. (due to purchasing a season entry pass for this season).
Up $49 on this year. 15% price hike.... maybe they're trying to catchup with Mt Hotham Season Entry Pass.
Email Ben Derrick of FCRM. It may be sooner rather than later as one of the radio aerials was toppled in that early season blow.
https://www.vicpolicenews.com.au/news/cashing-through-the-snow# Yackandandah police are hoping to locate the owner of a large amount of money found at a Victorian ski resort earlier this year. A bag containing various currencies of cash was found by two men who visited the ski lodge at Falls Creek on Friday 3 August. The pair handed the money in to police, however investigators have not yet been able to reunite the cash with its rightful owner and no one has come forward to claim the snow dough. Anyone who believes the money may belong to them is urged to contact Leading Senior Constable Millar at Yackandandah Police Station on (02) 6027 1205. They must also provide proof of ownership, including the origin of the money, and be able to accurately answer questions about it. If it is not claimed, the cash will be returned to the finders. Natalie Butler Media Officer
A new way to launder money: ‘find’ a large stash of cash, hand it in to police, and when no-one comes to claim it, it’s yours to keep.....
My petty cash stash>??Only if it was found on the road near PV hut! Yes it could well be a new way to wash cash
I wonder if this is connected to the significant drug dealing arrest which happened at Falls about that time..... coppers hoping stupid associates step forward to claim it? Seems strange that it is being managed by Yack police.
