Falls Creek, Victoria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Falls Creek |
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The Ruined Castle chairlift and terrain park
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| Location | Alpine National Park Australian Alps Victoria, Australia |
| Nearest city | Mount Beauty - 30 km (20 mi) Wodonga |
| Coordinates | 36°51′54″S 147°16′23″E / 36.865°S 147.273°E |
| Vertical | 380 m (1,247 ft) |
| Top elevation | 1,780 m (5,840 ft) |
| Base elevation | 1,400 m (4,593 ft) |
| Skiable area | 450 ha (1,110 acres) |
| Runs | 92 - 17% beginner - 60% intermediate - 23% advanced |
| Longest run | 3 km (1.9 mi), Wishing Well |
| Lift system | 14 lifts |
| Terrain parks | 4 |
| Snowfall | 4 m (160 in) per year |
| Snowmaking | limited |
| Night skiing | limited, Wed & Sat 6–9 pm |
| Website | fallscreek.com.au |
The Falls Creek Alpine Resort is a super fun ski resort located in the beautiful Victorian Alps in Australia. It's about 350 kilometres (220 miles) from Melbourne, and the closest town is Mount Beauty, which is about 30 km (20 mi) away. Falls Creek is part of the amazing Alpine National Park. The resort sits high up, between 1,210 and 1,830 m (3,970 and 6,004 ft) above sea level. The highest point you can reach by a ski lift is 1,780 m (5,840 ft). You can even ski on nearby Mount McKay at 1,842 m (6,043 ft) by taking a special snow vehicle called a snowcat from the resort.
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History of Falls Creek
After World War II, a big electricity project called the Kiewa scheme started in the Kiewa River valley. Before this, the land was mostly used for cows grazing in summer. In 1948, the very first ski lodge was built by the workers from this project. Then, in 1951, the first rope tow was put in place to help skiers get up the mountain. Australia's very first chairlift was built here in 1957, making it much easier to enjoy the slopes!
The Falls Creek Post Office opened on 9 June 1958. This meant people could send letters and even use the telegraph and telephone there.
For a long time, from 1851 until 2005, farmers used the high plains around Falls Creek for summer cattle grazing. But the government decided to stop this because the cows were harming the delicate alpine plants and animals. You can still see some old cattlemen's huts, which are cool places to visit in summer. Mount Bogong, Victoria's tallest mountain, is also very close by.
Fun at the Alpine Resort
Falls Creek is a great place for skiers and snowboarders who are just starting out or are getting better. About 80% of the resort's slopes are perfect for beginners and intermediate riders.
Sometimes, Australia doesn't get a lot of natural snow, especially early in the season. So, Falls Creek uses snowmaking machines that get water from the nearby Rocky Valley Lake to make sure there's enough snow for everyone to ski! Most visitors to Falls Creek are from Australia. However, many international cross-country skiers come for the Kangaroo Hoppet, which is a big international cross-country ski race held every August. Snowboarders also come for "Stylewars," a cool competition held in September.
The resort has lots of places to stay, with beds for 4,500 people! This means there are also many restaurants, bars, and nightclubs to keep guests entertained after a day on the slopes. Some apartments are owned by people, but they have to be available for rent when the owners aren't using them.
Falls Creek isn't just for winter fun! In summer, it's a fantastic base to explore the beautiful national park around the resort. You can go hiking, mountain biking, and enjoy the amazing scenery.
You can get to Falls Creek all year round by driving on the Bogong High Plains Road from Mount Beauty. In winter, you need to carry snow chains for your car and put them on if signs tell you to. This road also goes across the High Plains and down to the Omeo Highway, but that part of the road is closed during the snow season.
In summer, both roads are very popular with cyclists. Many cycling events happen here, where people climb up to the resort, like the popular Falls Creek Peaks Challenge.
Quick Facts About Falls Creek
Here are some interesting numbers about Falls Creek:
- Highest point you can reach: 1,842 m (6,043 ft)
- Highest point with a ski lift: 1,780 m (5,840 ft)
- Village height: 1,600 m (5,250 ft)
- Number of ski lifts: 14
Winter Fun
- Snowline height (where snow usually starts): 1,100 m (3,610 ft)
- Average snow each year: 4 m (160 in)
- Average days the resort is open in winter: 128 days
Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding
- Number of runs: 92+
- Longest advanced run: Wishing Well, 3 km (1.9 mi) long
- Longest beginner run: Wombats Ramble, 2.2 km (1.4 mi) long
- How hard are the runs?
- 17% are for
beginners (easy) - 60% are for
intermediate (medium) - 23% are for
advanced (hard)
- 17% are for
Cross Country Skiing
- Number of trails: 21
- Total length of groomed trails: 65 km (40 mi)
- Longest trail: Rocky Valley Dam Loop, 21 km (13 mi) long
- How hard are the trails?
- 33% are for beginners
- 48% are for intermediate skiers
- 19% are for advanced skiers
Ski Lifts at Falls Creek
Falls Creek has 14 different lifts to get you up the mountain. Here are some of them:
- International Poma: This lift pulls you up the mountain while you stand on your skis.
- Gully Chair: A chairlift that carries 3 people.
- Summit Chair: A chairlift that carries 4 people.
- Eagle Express Chair: A fast chairlift that carries 4 people.
- Falls Creek Express: Another fast chairlift that carries 4 people.
- Drovers Dream Chair
- Towers Chair: A chairlift that carries 4 people.
- Board Walk
- Mouse Trap
- Monkey Bars
- Lakeside Poma
- Scotts Chair: A chairlift that carries 4 people.
- Ruined Castle Chair: A chairlift that carries 4 people.
Falls Creek Climate
Falls Creek has a cool climate, with mild summers and very cold, snowy winters. It gets a good amount of rain and snow throughout the year.
Famous Athletes from Falls Creek
Falls Creek is a great place to learn to ski and snowboard, and some amazing athletes have started their careers here!
- Steven Lee: An Olympic and World Cup alpine skier. He also guides tours in the backcountry around Falls Creek.
- Malcolm Milne (born 1948): A World Cup alpine racer who learned to ski at Falls Creek.
- Ross Milne (1944–1964): Also learned to ski at Falls Creek.
- Britteny Cox (born 1994): An Australian Mogul Skier. She was the youngest athlete to compete at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Famous Snowboarders from Falls Creek
- Scott James (born 1994): An Australian Snowboarder. He was Australia's youngest male Olympian in 50 years and the youngest male competitor at the Vancouver Games.
