| This page contains answers to common questions handled by our support staff. If your query is not answered here then feel free to email us and we will get straight onto it! |
There are basically three options when seeking accommodation at Falls Creek. Employer subsidised accommodation, organise you own rental for the season or live off mountain.
- Employer subsidised accommodation
There is limited Employer subsidised accommodation available depending on your position and it's requirements. There is a cost however the accommodation is heavily subsidised by the employer. On average rent will be between $150 and $200 per week for shared on-mountain accomodation (lower off-mountain). On mountain accomodation is very expensive to provide (e.g. two bedroom flat for a season costs the employer approximately $15000 plus bills!).
- Organise your own rental
Many staff across the mountain organise their own share accommodation for the season by leasing a unit in one of the chalets. This is the same as any rental agreement and often involves bonds and the usual rental process. Most of these vacancies are filled by word of mouth or via one of the notice boards around the mountain. If you are not a local or have any reliable contacts on the mountain, a good option is to refer to one of the forums on ski.com.au and do a search on accommodation. Quite often advertisements or web forums discussing such will be posted here.
- Live off mountain
This is a surprisingly viable option and one that many prospective staff members overlook. Mount Beauty is the closest township to Falls Creek and has a population of approximately 3000 people that expands to about 5000 during the winter months. It has all the facilities one can need including a supermarket, pub, golf course, tennis courts, gymnasium and restaurants. There is plenty of short term accommodation available which can be either organised through your employer or the two real estate agents in town - Alpine Valley Real Estate and Mount Beauty Property Sales.
Depending on your position and the company you work for, food may not be an issue! Quite often for a nominal cost you can gain access to staff meals at work. For those who prefer (and have suitable self contained accommodation for food preparation) there are two supermarkets: the Hub and Snowlands from which you have access to fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy products, baked goods, microwave meals, meats and liquor. Finally, there is the option of purchasing groceries from off the mountain and having it delivered. Mount Beauty Supermarket is happy to accept orders via the internet and deliver to Falls Creek the following day. If you get together with a group of friends and organise a bulk order this is a very economical option!
While most restaurants, cafes and retail outlets at Falls Creek have EFTPOS facilities the Frying Pan Inn which is situated in the Village bowl and Gebis ski hire at the base of gully chair have the only ATM machines on the mountain. If you need direct contact with your financial institution there are two banks located in Mount Beauty at the foot of the mountain, belonging to the ANZ Bank and Commonwealth Bank. However in this age of online banking, you should not have any trouble organising your finances through one of the internet access facilities within the resort.
Falls Creek is a fully functioning village with all the amenities and features you would expect. Aside from the plethora of restaurants and bars there is a cinema, gymnasium, yoga classes and massage services to name a few. You can even enjoy a game of golf in Mount Beauty if you need to 'green out for a day or two! The Falls Creek Resort Management web page lists these activities and more that you can enjoy as a part of your working holiday experience
In theory, all you really need to bring is yourself! However, experience has taught us that moving to any location, be it in the snow or otherwise can be an expensive exercise. The good news is that with careful planning your move to the snow does not have to be an expensive ordeal.
What we suggest is that you follow the following checklist as a starting point, then discuss further necessities once you've been accepted as your job and or accommodation situation may differ greatly from job to job:
- Money - You would be surprised how many people do not 'cash up' before arriving in the snow. Generally speaking, your first weeks wages will not hit your bank account until the Thursday of week two...and believe us when we say that this can certainly be inconvenient given the parties and excitement that surround the first few weeks! You also need to consider your skiing and riding needs which may include the purchase of a ski pass (see point 2) and equipment.
- Ski Pass - The Falls Creek Resort Management web site has links to ski pass information. Falls Creek Ski lifts do offer 'Early Bird' tickets for those who wish to pay well in advance of the season and gain a significant discount. This is a great idea if you are concerned about cash for the first few weeks of the season.
- Warm Clothes - Yes, Yes...stating the obvious but again, many staff get caught out and ski clothing is not cheap. Although everything you may need can be accessed at Falls Creek and Mount Beauty at competitive prices an expenditure of this nature may hinder your enjoyment of the early part of the season.
- Identification - As a rule employment contracts can not begin until all personal details have been received and processed. This includes your Tax File Number (TFN), your bank account details (including your six digit BSB number), your off mountain address (for post season correspondence) and your next of kin. Most or all of these details will be requested before you actually arrive here, however if you arrive at Falls Creek without employment, ensure you hold these minimum requirements.
- Accommodation Bonds - Should your package involve accommodation be prepared to pay a bond. This is no different to a bond that you would pay at a real estate agent when engaging in a rental agreement. The bond that you pay will be held in trust until you leave and will be returned as soon as it established that no damage has occurred on your behalf. Simple!
- Uniform Bonds - This is actually a cost saving for yourself as most of you will not have to supply your own uniforms. However, the uniforms that are supplied come at a cost and it can be quite easy to forget to return them when you leave. Given this, a small bond is held in trust until the uniforms are returned.
- Car Parking - This is a factor that people don't often recognise until they arrive at Falls Creek and are hit with an expensive daily or weekly parking pass at the resort entrance. The cost of parking is a necessary evil and is levied on patrons and staff alike to fund road clearing which can be a very expensive operation. Staff planning to work the season are recommended to purchase a season parking pass, details of which can be located on the Falls Creek Resort Management web site.
The season starts on the Queens Birthday weekend (first weekend in June) and finishes around the start of October depending on conditions.
With regards to the conditions...well this is an age old question! Fortunately, Falls Creek is blessed with very reliable snow conditions and a very extensive snow making system should nature not come to the party. For those of you so inclined however, www.ski.com.au has a forum and resources for you to research and come up with your own predictions for the season. Some of you may wish to track you predictions in your time at Falls and see if you can come up with the ultimate formula! Or maybe not...however it always makes for great chat whilst 'blowing the froth of a couple' at the pub!
There would not be an employer at Falls Creek who does not understand that riding and partying are the main reasons people come to Falls Creek for work. That's why we refer to it as a 'working holiday' It's for this reason that you will find employers are generally very accommodating in giving you riding and party time. That being said, as in any other industry you will have a job to do and it is your responsibility to arrive at work on time and perform the duties required to a satisfactory level. It's all about give and take...if you put the effort in at work you will be offered more flexibility for your play time.
During the Winter months, Falls Creek never stops. The whole resort is pretty well booked out for the whole season so you can expect every day and night to be busy.
Your weeks will comprise a 6 day working roster which will include split shifts, late nights, early mornings and day shifts.
Falls Creek has it own modern medical centre which caters for all needs. Please note that it is not a bulk billing clinic. If you have an existing medical condition that may require attention it would be wise to ensure the medical centre can cater for your needs before you arrive. The nearest hospital is in Mount Beauty, approximately 45 minutes drive and as such we strongly recommend you obtain ambulance cover. The medical centres contact details can be found on the Falls Creek Resort Management web site.
You can make a Medicare claim through the chemist in Mount Beauty or over the internet.
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