Falls Creek Getaway 2018

I recently visited Falls Creek with my parents. My younger bro and his girlfriend joined us for a few days too.

Getting to Falls

We travelled from Tamworth in our family Toyota Kruger with a roof rack attached to make it easier for everything to fit. It’s roughly a 940km (11 hour) drive. We travelled just over 700km (8 hours) to Wagga Wagga, stayed the night, and then travelled the rest of the way.

Where to stay?

We stayed in the same room at the Falls Creek Country Club. It’s cosy but meets our needs. Its easily accessible to drive up to the front door to unpack/pack the car and walk along the road to some shops and restaurants. It also has ski in-ski out access. Its a bonus to receive a returners discount.

I recommend booking early in the season. Also, call before arrival and early check in may be available.

How to get around?

Most of the village is covered in snow and this can make things tricky to get around in a wheelchair. We made plans on where we wanted to go and then researched options in the best way to get there and back.

Ski in-ski out access made it easy to access the slopes each morning and return each afternoon Each morning when I had private lessons it was arranged that Falls Creek Instructor Charlie would ski with the sit ski to the back of the Falls Creek Country Club where we’d be waiting. We’d get ready, ski down to Gully chairlift, and make our way to the mountain to be able to ski.

We utilized the on-snow vehicles to get to dinner and events. These aren’t wheelchair accessible but I didn’t mind being lifted in and out (I don’t weigh much) with my wheelchair placed in a carrier.

We also had wheel blades (mini skis) for the front of my wheelchair. We didn’t actually use these due to the snow conditions.

We even used a toboggan to cross the snowy road from a dinner venue to darts before being lifted down more stairs.

What to do?

My favorite activity and passion is to sit ski. I had four days private lessons with Charlie, a days break, then three more. We also snuck in about an hour and a half on Charlie’s day off before leaving.

I began in a Mountain Man that I had used for a few seasons now. I had made progress and feel comfortable with being tethered.

I then tried the bi-unique and fit into the kids size. I immediately noticed it was much closer to the ground and balanced. I didn’t like it at first and felt frustrated not knowing how it worked. I persisted with encouragement and instructions from Charlie and made progress with each run. I was feeling happier too and know I’m getting closer to my goal of gaining my independence on snow.

I love skiing on my birthday! We wore tutus and had balloons tied to the sit ski. The weather was freezing with rough snow conditions but we made the most of it! Nikki, who I first skied with in Myoko, joined us on skis!

Selfie!

Loving the view! We started off with four balloons but they popped throughout the day PHOTO: Charlie

So much fun skiing in tutus PHOTO: friendly skiing instructor

Charlie & I took the heli from Falls Creek to Hotham to ski for the day. Hotham is Falls Creeks sister resort. There were many challenges with steps and a new resort but we made it work thanks to everyone involved including Forest Air Helicopters, Disabled Wintersport Australia (DWA), Falls Creek & Hotham staff, Charlie, Mum & Dad. Heli & Hotham was so much fun! I would recommend it!

Hotham Selfie

Selfie with Pilot Blake!

Heli selfie!

We were invited to watch the darts competition played at The Man. It was a challenge as I was carried up and down stairs in my wheelchair, out of my wheelchair and across snow on a toboggan. It was worth it to watch the serious competition.

Go Girls!

Charlie playing darts!

Falls Creek night show is great to watch! It features adaptive skiing instructors. Rug up because it does get chilly. The fireworks are a pretty end to the evening. Charlie picks me up in a sit ski while my parents take my wheelchair on the chairlift. I am then transferred into my wheelchair to enjoy the show. I am then taken back in the sit ski while a snow vehicle takes my wheelchair and we meet back at the Falls Creek Country Club.

Where to eat?

There are many wheelchair friendly and delicious restaurants to try. Lunches were included in my private lesson package. We were lucky to get recommendations and dine with friends. We also self catered some of our dinners, breakfasts, snacks and drinks. Water is my drink of choice at all restaurants.

• Falls Creek Country Club restaurant is conveniently located where we stayed. We enjoyed both eating dinner in the restaurant and in our room. I enjoyed bruschetta, salmon, and vegetables.
• Cloud 9 was one of our lunch options. There are steps toe enter and exit but there’s plenty of space inside. I chose a delicious chicken salad.
• Elk Restaurant is one of my favourites for lunch with a friendly atmosphere and a wood fire. I really enjoyed the salmon and black rice.
• The Frying Pan was another lunch option with delicious meals. It can be squishy inside depending on the day.
• SomePlace Else was our dinner venue with friends before darts. We booked an on snow vehicle to get there (return) and I was carried up and down the many stairs. I ate a delicious buttermilk fried chicken burger with a gin and tonic.
• Feathertop Lodge was where we met friends for my birthday dinner. Lachy picked us up in an on snow vehicle (The steering wheel was on the other side!) and I was carried up the few stairs to inside. It was so warm inside. A table had been booked. The proportions were huge and delicious! The best part was the cute lodge dogs Ginger & Louie. I cuddled Ginger!

• Bazaar was the venue for an early birthday dinner with Mum and Dad. It was easy to get to by walking from our accommodation along the road/footpath, taking a lift up from the supermarket and then into Bazaar. It is expensive but worth it. The buffet style dinner and dessert options provide variety and you will want to try it all! The gyoza and pork buns were my favourite. It was a beautiful surprise to be given a birthday treat and glass of bubbles.

I had a great time!

This is an updated version of my first Falls Creek Getaway