Falls Creek

With a vast array of  beginner to intermediate snow-covered slopes (many of them south-facing) this Victorian alpine resort is family-friendly and the most picturesque Australian ski in-ski out village. Its European-style ambience, particularly the car-free nature of the alpine resort, is jus tone if its numerous attributes. Others include the experience of actually skiing or boarding from the front door of a guest's lodge, apartment or hotel.

The resort's ski lift network is designed to provide an easy transition from the numerous accommodation options to the aptly named Sun Valley. Returning home (along the home trails) after a day on the slopes is also hassle-free. A series of well-marked, well groomed, tracks lead back to the heart of the village.

Due to the undulating nature of the terrain this is also a Mecca for cross-country skiers of all abilities. The Australian cross-country team is based at Falls Creek throughout the Southern Hemisphere winter and the 42km Kangaroo Hoppet (which entices participants from about 25 countries) is held on the last Saturday of August each winter.

Its award-winning Snowsports School has a strong following with the up and coming skiers and boarders plus the all-important first timers who venture to an alpine resort to discover the fun many snow enthusiasts have in our winter.

The world's best, most adventurous, freeskiers and riders, gravitate to Falls Creek every September to participate in an invitation-only event which is staged in the resort's challenging terrain park.

Apres-ski action after the ski lift close is varied from the twice-weekly Harvey Hour at the Falls Creek Hotel  to a quite drink at the Vodka Bar within the luxurious Astra Lodge. At last count there was some 70 different vodkas on the menu.

Free activities also vary from building a snowman, watching a Night Spectacular in the Village Bowl, to taking the kids to watch a Pete the Dragon show, also staged in the Village Bowl.

There are lots of options to get to Falls Creek. The nearest airport is at Albury on the New South Wales and Victorian border.  Direct flights to Albury are offered from Sydney by three major airlines and there are daily flights from Melbourne. Guests can choose to fly to Sydney or Melbourne, from other states, and take the short flight to Albury. A coach service operates from the heart of Melbourne, or Melbourne Airport, to Falls Creek throughout the winter season.

Falls Creek summer activities consist of alpine bushwalking, mountain biking, guided horse treks, tennis and discovering the vast Alpine National Park.

Falls Creek is a ski resort in north east Victoria and is one of only ten in Australia.

Falls Creek is 4.5 hour drive or approximately 388km from Melbourne along the Hulme Highway and can also be reached by the Great Alpine Road. The nominated ski season is June – October.

Falls Creek has 450 hectares of ski-able terrain and there are 14 ski lifts that are state of the art to carry you above the 280m vertical drop.

Falls Creek has the best snowmaking system in Australia and the Rocky Valley Reservoir serves this. The Rocky Valley Reservoir is the highest significant body of water in Australia.

There is an Alpine Village and this operates on a ski in, ski out system.

The famous Aussie summer doesn't stop Falls Creek and the area is transformed into a popular area for walking, cycling and sightseeing with some festivals also staged here.