AFF Ski Trip 2014 [Falls Creek July 25-28]

[Simo]

Never been skiing before,

Will keep an eye on it all and once see pricing might see if the Family wants to do a trip.

 

[here2go]

Never been skiing before,

Will keep an eye on it all and once see pricing might see if the Family wants to do a trip.

JUST GO! Pick somewhere where there is more to do than skiing, and you'll be fine. Queenstown has lots to do, Niseko has easily accessible Japanese culture courtesy of the english speaking tourists and fun snowmobiling, and the Victorian Alps have wineries nearby. It is never cheap, but so much fun!

 

[Sprucegoose]

Yes I am interested, haven't snowboarded for about 3 years, I have all the gear except the board which is easy to hire.

I guess I am past beginner stage but not really advanced.

Jessica can you guarantee snow

Snowboarding is heresy !

 

[here2go]

Snowboarding is heresy !

I hear that there are Snowboarder free mountains in the US. Bliss!

 

[gwilli1]

Colour me interested as well . Indicatively planning ZQN next year , but far from confirmed . This could be another option if ZQN doesn't eventuate.

 

[Heleigh]

Colour me interested - haven't skied since mid 90's.

 

[erkpod]

I need to work on my snowman building skills!

 

[JessicaTam]

Jessica can you guarantee snow

I am prepared to guarantee nothing - except good company!

Snowboarding is heresy !

Agreed.

The helicopter from Mt Hotham is more of a transfer service for skiers than a true pax service. The QLink flight from MEL lands at Dinner Plain, which is about 10km or so from Hotham. The helicopter lands amid the ski slopes in Falls, so it is not really easy to get the luggage to the lodge.

I am a definite for the weekend, and will be driving up on the Friday, back Monday. If this comes to fruition, I will have two spare seats from MEL (assuming tuapekastar would like a lift).

I will contact Diana Lodge in the next few days and get some prices - this may require red wine for the negotiations.

Edit: I may be able to arrange discount off ski/board/clothing hire but will not know for sure until closer to the season start.

 

[Heleigh]

I am prepared to guarantee nothing - except good company!

Agreed.

The helicopter from Mt Hotham is more of a transfer service for skiers than a true pax service. The QLink flight from MEL lands at Dinner Plain, which is about 10km or so from Hotham. The helicopter lands amid the ski slopes in Falls, so it is not really easy to get the luggage to the lodge.

I am a definite for the weekend, and will be driving up on the Friday, back Monday. If this comes to fruition, I will have two spare seats from MEL (assuming tuapekastar would like a lift).

I will contact Diana Lodge in the next few days and get some prices - this may require red wine for the negotiations.

Edit: I may be able to arrange discount off ski/board/clothing hire but will not know for sure until closer to the season start.

I would like to take one of your seats. Would fly down Thursday and stay at a hotel near you.

 

[LACE]

I'd be keen. Does it matter that I'm only new?

 

[JessicaTam]

I'd be keen. Does it matter that I'm only new?

It doesn't matter if you are new to AFF or skiing!

 

[Danger UXB]

Greetings all.
Very interested. Probably Fri to Sun. Jessica is Diana lodge the one down the bottom of Falls Creek Road? Do you need to take the oversnow (ATS) to get there or can you walk it with relative ease from the main road?

Cheers Danger UXB

 

[LACE]

It doesn't matter if you are new to AFF or skiing!

New to AFF but usually do a solo ski trip each year to QT but will be alot more fun in a group.

 

[knightman7]

Sounds interesting only because I've never been to the snow before (a brief stint on the ground at OSL airport doesn't count).

Where were you going using OSL as a transit point? I get there once a year to visit the inlaws and it's pretty out of the way lol!

 

[anat0l]

Where were you going using OSL as a transit point? I get there once a year to visit the inlaws and it's pretty out of the way lol!

Star Mega Do 1 (from Flyertalk)

 

[knightman7]

Ahhh that explains alot lol

 

[simonpenny408]

Potentially interested if in the country and snow looks good. Can ski - never been to Falls though. Japan sounds a lot more fun and probably not much more expensive in the big scheme of things though. Just sayin'

 

[trentusjuventus]

Ooh, sounds like a niseko trip should be organised. I am there from 27th to 5th Jan-Feb and am considering going 2nd to 12th Jan too...

I will be in Niseko Dec 29 to Jan 5!

Potentially interested if in the country and snow looks good. Can ski - never been to Falls though. Japan sounds a lot more fun and probably not much more expensive in the big scheme of things though. Just sayin'

To be honest, it really doesn't work out that much more expensive, but it does depend on how long you go for and what level of luxury you go for. For example, an all-mountain pass (access to 3 resorts) works out at around $50-60 AUD if purchased as a 7 day ticket, which is almost half what you could end up paying in Australia (plus night skiing means 8am to 8pm every day). Basic accommodation can be had for as little as Y4500, and goes up from there, again depending on your level of luxury. Add to this natural hot springs, amazing powder snow, and super efficient lifts and transport, and it's definitely got fun potential!

 

[JessicaTam]

A bit of an update. I have spoken to Diana Lodge and a rough estimate is $400 for two nights, all meals, per person. Just rough, mind!

 

[tuapekastar]

A bit of an update. I have spoken to Diana Lodge and a rough estimate is $400 for two nights, all meals, per person. Just rough, mind!

Thanks JessicaTam.

Nice to see some interest. Japan is undoubtedly an excellent place to ski (I have never skied outside Victoria), and maybe we can do there and/or ZQN in future, but I think small steps first, and first-time skiers may not wish to make the commitment to go all the way there to find out they don't like skiing.

I don't know how far out we need to book for somewhere like Diana Lodge, but obviously it won't be a last-minute exercise.