Finally, snow! Here’s what’s on in the alps
Cooking classes, film festivals, celebrity chef guest visits and new bars will have you wondering how you ever found the time to ski.
It’ll be snow, camera, action when star chef Tobie Puttock shoots for his YouTube channel at Mt Buller next month.
The die-hard snowboarder will wrap three clips for Food Tube, a project with his mate Jamie Oliver.
• More wind, rain and snow on the way
• Secrets to the ultimate winter warmer
The balcony at Tirol is one of the likely shooting locations – blizzards aside.
“I started snowboarding when I was 16 years old at Mt Buller,” Puttock says. “I’m planning to do some really fun stuff – I want to do some cooking involving the ski patrol.”
Astra revamp
Falls Creek’s revamped Astra Bar opens its doors on June 27 with Mexican and Asian street food on the menu. Manager Gus Guadagnin from Three Blue Ducks said he’s bringing his barmen up from Sydney for the winter to mix it beside a sharing-plate menu.
“We just want to create a good atmosphere on the hill where people can come in with friends and get a tortilla and hear some live music – somewhere where we’d like to go out.’’
Cool films
Get inspired by big hits on the big screen at Mt Buller’s Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour on June 28.
It’s one-night-only of snowy surf, smouldering tree skiing and full-frontal nudity at seriously shrinking temperatures.
On ya bike
Thredbo wheels fat tyre mountain bikes – new for this season – out of the toy shed on July 1. Be ready to roll from 4.30pm, load on to the Easy Does It chairlift and rip on down. Register at Easy Does It.
Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday night during the holidays, Thredbo brings Friday Flat to life with fire pits, music, twilight riding and prizes from the Thredboland animals. And the only time during your snow holiday when you’ll be looking forward to a good crust is Wednesday: Pizza and Movie night. Every Thursday is Kids’ Flare Run night.
Falls cook
Just three ingredients is all you’ll need to cook up a storm at Falls Creek’s Elk. Chef Barry Iddles is hosting kid- and adult-friendly cooking classes on July 2 and July 9 that stick to the KISS principle – keep it simple, stupid.
The three-course lunch workshops are the home cook’s version of a green run. “(People) get bored when there’s a long list of ingredients,” said Iddles, “you can do amazing food with three ingredients.” $30pp, bookings, call 5758 3673.
Here be dragons
Forget the steam coming out of your ears and go see a fire-breathing dragon instead. Hotham’s Harry the Snowdragon is having a birthday party on July 2 and every 3-6 year old is invited. Party games and birthday cake kick off from 4.30pm at the Big D. Free.
Hotham’s Harry the Snowdragon.
Swinging slopes
Hone your slalom in the morning and your swing in the afternoon at Mt Buller on July 4.
The Mark Adams Ski & Golf Day lets you attack the gates then drive for the pin in an Ambrose round at Mansfield, all to raise cash for local schools.
Enter your team of four here.
Get board
Hotham launches the season’s ski and snowboard events on July 5 with the Bread and Butters Rail Jam. Get toasty at the Basin rail park and check out what local riders have added to their box of tricks over summer. Click here for details.
DJ set
Under 18s at Thredbo can shake the snow dome on July 11 with a DJ set at the Valley Terminal from 6pm. Free.
Free jam
Crowd-pleaser the Cattleman’s Rail Jam returns to Mt Buller on July 12, drawing Australia’s best jibbers to a night showdown in the village square. Expect a high-intensity hour of close competition and pumping vibe. Free.