WHILST Falls Creek hosts all of Victoria's major cross–country race events (and several national races) on its huge trail network, Mt Hotham is the home to Australia's 'other' cross–country ski team, biathlon.
Combining cross–country skate skiing and small–bore target shooting, the combination of physically taxing skiing with steady hand, eye and breathing co–ordination for shooting is unique in winter sport (perhaps any sport).
Mt Hotham has the privilege of having the only above snow–line biathlon range in Australia at Whiskey Flat.
In the past, facilities at the range could best be described as 'rustic'.
Up until now, biathlon has been surviving out of an old, dilapidated hut just in front of the biathlon range, a single drop toilet and a tent.
Having secured $800,000 in funding, the Mt Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board (MHARMB) has delivered a new alpine recreational facility at Whiskey Flat for winter 2022, providing a new dawn for the sport in Australia, and completely transforming the biathlon experience at Mount Hotham.
A beautiful design, said to be based (in part at least) on the shape of a resting Bogong Moth, the new building provides an accessible, multipurpose public facility incorporating community space, changing rooms and toilets, as well as basic kitchen facilities to provide catering options for groups and events.
Constructed to be environmentally sensitive, it incorporates insulation, water saving and re–use measures, solar panels and efficient lighting control to minimise energy and water use, plus sits remarkably unobtrusively amongst the snow gums, grasslands and trails of Whiskey Flat.
President of the Australian Biathlon Association, Paul Cullen, visited the new facility whilst still under construction in April this year.
"My first impression when I first saw the new shared facility was simply, wow," he said.
"The way that it strikes you visually when you first see it is truly impressive.
"Whilst visually it presents as an ultra–modern and contemporary building, it also seamlessly blends into the alpine environment it sits within – a true credit to its design and construction.
"Inside the building is no different.
"There is plenty of warm social space to support snow enthusiasts and those coming up to simply see and experience the winter–scape of Hotham.
"Extra–large windows looking out to Whiskey Flat, and the biathlon range will support families and spectators alike, giving great exposure to winter events that run throughout winter"
Paul was introduced to the sport after meeting his now wife, Lynn–Maree Cranage.
Lynn represented Australia at several World Cups and World Championships across both cross–country skiing and biathlon from the early 1990s and more recently, this year won a gold in a 7.5km event at the International Masters Biathlon Championships in Finland.
"I got into skiing when I met my wife Lynn in my mid 20s," Paul said.
"A baptism of fire so to speak from that point onwards.
"Suffice to say I'm the official family anchor on skis.
"However, I did manage to retire as the national novice champion one season many years ago...my apex biathlon moment!
"I have also been active in supporting the Telemark Nordic Ski club in North East Victoria and focusing on promoting kids' participation on snow through the 'Snow Trek and Travel' (Wodonga based cross–country ski shop) mini–series cross country skiing events."
During winter Paul enjoys skiing with his family out through Whiskey Flat, Wire Plain and Christmas Hills.
"The Hotham cross–country trail grooming team do a fantastic job in creating amazing trails," he said.
As to what the new facility at Whiskey Flat means to the sport of biathlon, Paul is effusive.
"Moving to the new shared facility brings heating, modern toilets, showers, and a social space where people can interact and share in the biathlon experience," he said.
"Instead of participants and spectators moving on as soon as an event finishes they now have a space where they can remain in the area, plus use it as a base to go out and further explore the amazing Hotham trails.
"We also expect that the facility will bring a lot more spectator traffic to the Whiskey Flat area, and through this, increased exposure which we hope to see more people spark an interest in Biathlon and want to participate in our great sport.
"Currently we have around 500 participants in biathlon across Australia with this number growing as we see increased interest in biathlon through school–based programs."
During the winter season, from a biathlon perspective, the new building will be used as a race office to support the Victorian state and national biathlon championships (23 to 24 July and 1 to 14 August, 2022 respectively).
It will also provide a comfortable base to support biathlon training groups that frequent Whiskey Flat throughout both winter and non–winter months.
As a shared facility, it can be used for other cross–country skiing events as well all the various recreational snow activities for casual visitors to Mt Hotham.
"It will truly be a hub facility supporting snow–based activity all around the Whiskey Flat and Wire Plain precincts," said Paul.
For anyone interested in participating in biathlon, the best way to get involved is through one of the 'come and try' events or simply reach out to via the website or at an event at Mt Hotham.
The Australian Biathlon Association has training locations in Wodonga, Wangaratta, Gippsland, Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane, and are always on the lookout to expand into new communities through their members and coaches.
One last word from Paul: "Just an enormous thankyou to the Mt Hotham RMB team who continue to be a great partner to biathlon and pursue and build a great vision for snow sports at Hotham. A truly awesome team!"
For more information about the sport, head to the Australian Biathlon website at https://www.revolutionise.com.au/ausbiathlon/ or contact by email on executiveofficer@biathlonaustralia.com.au.
