By LISA LOGAN,
president of Falls Creek Chamber of Commerce
THE Queen’s Birthday Weekend was a welcome return to some normalcy for the alpine resorts.
We were delighted to welcome many visitors back for the snow season, as it was not since 2019 that we saw the village this busy in winter.
Like many destinations in regional Victoria, we are overwhelmed with the support visitors have given us, with barely a bed available throughout July and August, and the best visitation we have seen in the warmer months.
It is the reward for an alpine industry that has been working so hard to offer safe and functioning resorts.
We have learnt a great deal since last year and we are confident that we can operate appropriately and safely for our guests, staff and community, while offering a great winter experience as we have always done.
Falls Creek Ski Lift was able generate the biggest snowmaking lead ever for the opening, thanks to the $1.88 million investment in snowmaking and grooming upgrades, and a generous top up from mother nature.
Since the bushfires 18 months ago, we have been working with other agencies to strengthen and create resilience for our village.
As a community, we received grants for development of projects such as the expansion of the existing Mountain Bike Park and the lakeside foreshore at Rocky Valley Dam.
Both already are drawcards to Falls Creek, and will greatly enhance our offerings as an all–seasons destination.
The Business and Chamber of Commerce Groups Grant has enabled members to upskill and support some marketing projects to help drive visitation, as well as fund development of our business: Falls Creek Central Reservations.
This is now evolving to offer live online booking capabilities with an updated website to create a seamless experience for visitors planning their holidays to Falls Creek, while promoting all our members who support its operation.
Investing back into our business, generating more support, providing a collective forum to share ideas and information for business operators, especially at a time of great uncertainly, highlights the benefit of membership with us.
While demand is high, there are still vacancies for September – the time of the season where we expect to still have good snow coverage and real value for first–timers and those who want to experience more for their stay.
During the first two weekends in September will be a new Falls Creek event: Feastival – from family matinees, fun comedy to risqué cabaret, interwoven with gastronomic experiences highlighting regional produce of the High Country at the dining venues that Falls Creek is renowned for.
Many of our restaurants such as Falls Creek Hotel, Astra, Summit Ridge, Feathertop, Nelse and Attunga are offering the same fabulous gastronomic pleasures this season or like Bazaar, Huski Kitchen, Bob Sugar at Elk reinterpreting Asian classics; while the Frying Pan Inn is offering an updated cosy rustic pub.
We now rely on all our visitors and community to continue to keep us all safe so we can continue to have a fabulous 2021 season.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Lisa operates Diana Alpine Lodge at Falls Creek.
