For those new to the sport, the Nordic Bowl is the perfect learning course. The Nordic Bowl is sheltered from the weather and provides the perfect place to learn, play and have fun. This is also the base for XC ski lessons. 

The Nordic Bowl has a large open base with sloping sides of different degrees of difficulty, perfect for learning basic skills. From here the 1.5km Nordic Bowl loop and Hoppet start area are good trails to progress to.

Local Loops

All tracks between Windy Corner, Rocky Valley Lake and Panorama Corner are commonly known the ‘local loops’. Several loops of differing lengths - these are ideal for intermediates.

From the Nordic Bowl the 2.5km "Panorama" loop has varied terrain and great views, giving access to several longer tracks. In poor weather the "Pipeline" track offers the most shelter and combines with the "Aitkens" track to form a varied 2.5km loop.

Watchbed Creek / Wallaces Hut Trail (8km / 15km return) 

The return trip to Watchbed Creek is one of the most popular trails. Often windy across the Dam Wall, the trail becomes well sheltered, flat and wide all the way to Watchbed Creek. 

For an 8km return ski skiers can choose to turn around near the turn-off up the "Paralyser" on the "Heathy Spur Loop". Continuing straight on around past Langford Gap takes skiers to Wallaces Hut - the oldest standing mountain hut in the Alpine National Park. 

15km is a fair trip, but when the tracks are groomed hard and fast it’s beautiful skating around the eastern end of Rocky Valley Lake.

Sun Valley Loop (7km)

The "Sun Valley" Loop meanders past the bottom of the Runied Castle ski area with great views of the western end of Rocky Valley Lake. Once in Sun Valley the track is undulating, however there is a little bit of climb back from Sun Valley to Panorama corner. This is also the track used for the Joey Hoppet 7km ski race.

McKay Loop / Stockyard Loop (5km / 3km)

It’s a steady climb up the McKay Road but it’s worth the effort. When the weather is good there are fantastic panoramic views of the Bogong High Plains, including Mt Bogong and Mt Feathertop. For a side trip you can continue past the cattle grid down to the "Stockyard Loop" overlooking Pretty Valley Lake. These upper trails have very reliable snow even in times of low snow and have been used as part of the Kangaroo Hoppet course in seasons with low snowfall.

With everything from tough 5km and 10km championship event loops to longer trails into the Bogong High Plains, there is something for all advanced skiers. 

The challenging Rocky Valley Lake and Heathy Spur loops are the benchmark (and form the 42km Kangaroo Hoppet course), while the more adventurous can venture out to spectacular peaks such as Spion Kopje and Mt Fainter. These options are usually for heavier skis and metal edges but when conditions are right it is possible to skate out to these peaks and enjoy a different side to skiing at Falls Creek.