Falls Creek opening of Stage 2
The Hon.
The Hon. Dr. Bill Sykes, MLA, literally got a taste of the new mountain biking trails at Falls Creek, when he officially opened stage 2 of the Falls Creek mountain bike and walking trail project in the middle of March.
In a significant step for the resort in realising their goal to be a world class and Australia’s premier all season destination, the completion of Stage 2 opens 3 XC and 1 downhill trail. Now halfway through a 4 stage project funded by the State Government of Victoria and designed and constructed by world renowned trail builders, World Trails, the new trails offer spectacular riding across the resort.
Wombats Ramble XC Loop – Through the snowgums of the Wombats Ramble area this 4.5km loop consists of two intermediate trails, one uphill and one downhill.
International DH Trail – Starting at the top of the Summit Chair, this 2.1 km downhill flow track winds down under the Poma line before zig-zagging down Grand Coer ski run and cutting through Short & Curly to the base of the Summit Chair. The Aqueduct at the bottom of this trail links to the Gully XC Trail – An intermediate 1.3km cross country single track running to the bottom of the resort.
Construction of stage 3 is set to commence pre winter and will be ready for use in 2014/15 adding 5 XC trails. Planning for Stage 4 is well advanced and will be operational by 2015/16 adding another downhill flow trail and 6 XC trails. A total of around 42km of single track.
Blue Dirt ran free shuttle services for the official opening weekend, servicing both Wombats Ramble and International trails. Normally $50 for the day or $90 for the weekend, Blue Dirt will be running shuttle services and bike hire every weekend from now until the end of April. The Summit chairlift will be operational on Saturday, 19th & Sunday, 20th April 2014 and costs $35 per day with a bike or $15 without.
“There is something special about riding in the Alpine regions of Australia” say’s World Champion Paul Van Der Ploeg. “The new mountain bike trails at Falls Creek utilise the natural terrain and integrate the native trees and rocks to wind up through the trees. As always the World Trail downhill is super flowing and has multiple lines to choose from so that every time you ride it you find something new. From top to bottom you can’t help but smile while navigating down the challenging descent. It is super exciting to see the trails developing and I can’t wait for the future trails to open for more world class mountain biking”.
By Mandy Lamont
