(text updated Tuesday 13 May 2009
|
Chilly Again
|
Bitterly cold overnight temperature at Falls Creek overnight is an entrée to what is forecasted later in the week by the reputable www.snow-forecast.com
|
This site was spot on last time when the alpine resort had a record-breaking early season snowfall.
Last night’s chilly sub zero temperature will be repeated again on Friday and Saturday when the freezing level is forecast to fall to about 1400 metres on Saturday morning.
There’s also more snow forecast with the most amount (of snow) expected to fall late Friday and early Saturday. Plus it will be very cold with the mercury anticipated to fall as low as minus 11C when wind chill is factored in.
Strong winds from the west will remind everyone preparing for the start of winter - it is getting closer – 24 days from today. for the top, middle and bottom ski stations of Falls Creek are proving to be accurate.
It may be a useful site for skiers and boarders to bookmark leading up to the start of winter at Queen’s Birthday holiday weekend. With the official start to winter less than four weeks away is the cold snap this week another sign mother nature is cooperating with the wishes of snow enthusiasts?
|
 |
|
|
|
(text updated Monday 11 May 2009
|
Book now!
|
The unseasonal weather, which resulted in a record-breaking early snowfall at Falls Creek, has motivated the snow enthusiasts.
Early snow, and the largest amount of water filling Lake Eyre for many years, could herald a similar start to the winter of 2000 when Falls Creek opened a week early with 80cm of snow covering Victoria’s largest alpine resort.
The weather experts forecasted temperatures in Victoria are tipped to be average or a little cooler (than other states) this winter some time ago.
Currently the resort’s accommodation booking centres are still reaping the benefit of the record-breaking early snowfalls and only the first week of school holidays (starting June 27 ) has significant amount of self-cater apartment vacancies.
The reservation people at the alpine resort are being inundated with requests for lodge, hotel or apartment-style accommodation packages, particular for the popular school holidays, starting 5 July.
If a particular style of accommodation (lodge, apartment or hotel) is preferred during the NSW, Victorian, Queensland or South Australian school holidays (between June 27 – July 19) it would be advisable to book now.
|
 |
|
Photo - A local snowboarder enjoying early May snow on Sundown at Falls Creek.
Photos taken by Chris Hocking.
|
|
|
(text updated Friday 1 May 2009, pics updated Tuesday 5 May 2009)
|
Work Continues in Chilly Conditions
|
Unseasonable cold snap accompanied by record breaking sub-zero temperatures and heavy snow.
The outside team employed by Falls Creek Ski Lifts are preparing the resort’s network of chairlifts in chilly weather. The tradies working on the numerous new apartments at Falls Creek, Victoria's largest alpine resort, are also feeling the exceptional chilly weather.
However, with the start of the 2009 winter season in less than five weeks away, it is all hands on deck to ensure the ski lifts, the new apartments, restaurants, bars and day spa will be open on Queen's Birthday.
Depending on what takes place (with the weather) will determine how many lifts will open on the traditional opening weekend of the winter.
Currently Falls Creek is covered in a mantle of snow and the picture-postcard alpine resort had sub zero temperatures overnight.
|
 |
|
Photos (above and below) - Locals enjoying early May snow on Ruined Castle at Falls Creek.
Photos taken by Chris Hocking.
|
 |
|
 |
|
Photo - Maintenance Engineer Rod Laury continues snow season preparations on Summit Chairlift.
Photo taken by Chris Hocking.
|
|
|
(Updated Thursday 30 April 2009)
|
Record Breaking Sub-Zero Temps
|
Yesterday's record breaking sub-zero temperature of minus 7C (felt like minus 12.4C) at Falls Creek was one of the numerous record set in April.
Even as far north as Brisbane was impacted by the icy cold weather and in Melbourne and Hobart they had the coldest winter morning (April 30) in 56 years.
Currently Falls Creek is covered in a thick mantle of snow and just before daybreak it was a chilly minus 3.9C which is more akin to a mid-winter morning rather than late April.
Temperatures in Victoria are tipped to be average or a little cooler (than NSW) this winter. The current chilly weather throughout Victoria and at Falls Creek reinforces that forecast by the BOM weather gurus.
Earlier in the week Falls Creek posted another record, the heaviest snow in April for 50 years. Whilst the snow is welcome it will be even more acceptable if its snows on (or before) Queen's Birthday holiday weekend, the official opening of the winter season (in 5 weeks) at alpine resorts such as Falls Creek.
The week ahead will be very chilly for the ‘tradies who are working day and night putting the finishing touches to the new apartments at Falls Creek, Victoria's largest alpine resort, in readiness for the opening of the season on Queen's Birthday, 36 days from today.
|
 |
|
Photo - New apartments Altezza at Falls Creek get their first taste of snow.
|
|
|
(Updated Wednesday 29 April 2009)
|
Heaviest April snowfalls in more than half a century
|
The recent winter weather at Falls Creek was quite amazing. The alpine resort was transformed into a picture postcard winter playground and by yesterday there was over half a metre of snow blanketing the resort's vast array of slopes.
With about five weeks to go before the official opening of the snow season at Victoria's largest alpine resort the early, heavy, snowfalls (and the live crosses to Fifi Box on Sunrise this morning) had the desired effect The phones are going ballistic and additional staff have been recruited to handle the avalanche of inquiries.
It has had a positive effect on bookings at Falls Creek, with pent up demand from those who didn't go overseas to ski this year" says Michael Callahan, General Manager, Falls Creek Ski Lifts
|
 |
|
Photo - Channel 7's Fifi Box in Falls Creek's brand new Prinoth Bison grooming machine.
Photo taken by Chris Hocking.
|
|
|
(Updated Tuesday 28 April 2009)
|
Early Ski
|
 Additional staff brought onboard by the operators of Falls Creek Reservation Centre to cope with the massive influx of inquiries as a result of the heavy, early season, snowfalls and severe weather in SA, Victoria and NSW.
"With this substantial snowfall, people are reminded that winter is less than six weeks away so those who haven't booked are now on the phone," said Michael Callahan, General Manager, Falls Creek Ski Lifts.
This is good for the Australian economy and Rudd¹s bonus is definitely being spent on a well earned holiday" says Callahan.
"It's great to see Australians supporting their local ski industry with early season bookings"
"The economy has created uncertainty, but people still need to have a holiday and are looking locally for their break".
|
|
|
(Updated Monday 27 April 2009)
|
Sensational Early Snowfall
|
 Heavy snowfall will stimulate interest in a snow holiday
"The heavy snow at Falls Creek has triggered an avalanche of bookings." says Michael Callahan, General Manager, Falls Creek Ski Lifts
"With this substantial snowfall, people are reminded that winter is only six weeks away so those who haven¹t booked are now on the phone, says Michael Callahan, General Manager, Falls Creek Ski Lifts
"We¹ve had an excellent lead up to the snow season with an increase in snow holiday bookings due to the economy It has had a positive effect on bookings at Falls Creek, with pent up demand from those who didn¹t go overseas to ski this year."
Falls Creek is currently covered in a thick blanket of soft, dry snow. The resort has received enormous amounts of publicity on the major TV news networks Australia wide and high-circulation newspapers. The alpine resort is receiving an avalanche of calls.
Owner operator of the Falls Creek Hotel (who has appeared on TV news with his two snow white Samoyeds) Glenn Docking said "You could ski down the left hand side of the Summit.
"There's at least 30cm on my snow cat parked outside the hotel. It has just stopped snowing for the first time in two days and this early snow will kick people into gear".
"The phone will run hot today. Early snow of this magnitude will stimulate the bookings further" says Docking.
"It¹s great to see Australians supporting their local ski industry with early season bookings" says Callahan "The economy has created uncertainty, but people still need to have a holiday and are looking locally for their break".
|
- Watch the footage of Falls Creek's snow on the TheAge.com.au now - Click Here!
|
 |
|
Photos above taken Sunday 26 April 2009 at Falls Creek.
|
