Falls Creek is Victoria's largest and most picturesque ski resort and is located in the heart of the Alpine Region. It has a charming, European-style village ambience with its pedestrian-only streets and the added bonus of being the only ski-in, ski-out resort in Australia.
On a snowy day, you can ski straight from your accommodation to the lifts, and back again from the slopes. The resort is entirely self-contained, with facilities including rental outlets, restaurants, pubs and even a medical centre.
How do I get there?
Driving: It is 356km north-east of Melbourne and is a four-and-a-half hours' drive from Melbourne or a day's drive from Sydney. Carrying snow chains is highly recommended and make sure you fill up on petrol once you get to Mt Beauty en route to Falls Creek, as there are no fuel stations at the resort.
By air: The closest airport is Albury, with direct flights available daily from Sydney and Melbourne via QantasLink. Once you arrive, hop on the Falls Creek Coach Service for a transfer straight to the resort. Buses run daily but bookings are essential; adult return fares from Albury Airport to Falls Creek start from $90.
What to do?
Skiing and snowboarding reign supreme. Don't know how to do either? You're in luck; Falls Creek offers one of the biggest and best beginner learning areas with 80 percent of their runs targeted towards beginner and intermediate skiers. Squeeze in a few two-hour lessons at
Snowsport School and you're on your way to becoming a ski bunny in no time. If you're well past the beginner stuff, there are plenty of options available for fearless enthusiasts. Runs such as the
Wishing Well and
Chainsaw offers steep and deep and will no doubt give you adrenaline rush you need.
Other ways to make the most of your time at Falls Creek include:
Night skiing: As soon as the sun goes down, pop your skis back on to experience the slopes under moonlight. Falls Creek has opened Wombat's Ramble, a 2.2km beginner-friendly run for skiers and boarders, into an illuminated playground after dark. Sessions start at $20 (adults), $10 (kids).
Night shows: The Night Show at the Village Bowl features synchronised skiing, snowboarding stunts, a fashion show and a fireworks extravaganza. It is free and runs every Thursday at 8pm during peak season.
Pete the Snow Dragon: Don't miss out on seeing Falls Creek's own big blue resident celebrity and family favourite. Pete does song-and-dance routines, funky snow tricks and is just an all-round star. Judging by the excited screams of the kids watching, he gives The Wiggles a run for their money. The free show runs every Wednesday and Saturday from 5pm.
Steve Lee Tours: Ski with one of the legends of Australian skiing who's also a local with an extensive knowledge of the region. Steve will show you his favourite back-country spots and the toughest runs in groups of three to eight people. Prices start at $129 for a three-hour session.
Want more options? Head over to the Visitor Information Centre on the lower level of the St Falls complex (open daily from 8am to 5pm).
Where to stay?
With almost 5000 beds available at the resort, there's a wide range of accommodation from the budget to the super luxe. For a family-friendly option, try the conveniently located Tracker's Mountain Lodge, where kids have their own mealtimes and games room, leaving adults to enjoy cocktails and gourmet dining. For those who want a dash of glamour, it's hard to go past the award-winning Huski, where you can soak up the alpine view while sipping champagne from your very own hot tub (available on each apartment balcony).
Where to eat?
Winterhaven is a perennial favourite; a cosy restaurant with Asian-inspired menu options. Grab a seat close to the fireplace and enjoy views of the snow- cloaked village. A casual and fun option is The Man, a family-friendly pub that offers a great range of gourmet pizzas with prices starting from just $6. For a memorable meal head to the Summit Ridge restaurant, which features fresh and innovative modern Australian cuisine using local produce and an extensive wine list. Bookings are recommended. Finish the evening off at the upmarket Astra Lodge Vodka Bar which offers nightly tastings of more than 70 different vodka flavours.
Want more Aussie ski tips? Check out our gallery of Falls Creek fun.
What are your tips for visiting Falls Creek?
