Tallangatta Ski Club - Mt Wills [Archive]

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Azz

13-01-2009, 08:38 AM

Called in at the Tallangatta Ski Club at Mount Wills for a look yesterday. They have a small run, a couple of hundred meters long. Not sure on the pitch, I would say advanced beginner / intermediate. Serviced by a rope tow. The place is locked up of course with curtains drawn so could'nt get a look inside.

The altitude at the lodge 1445 mtr with the summit at 1750 mtr. Unsure as to how far up the tow goes.

Anyway, here are a few pics...........

Tambo at the gate.
http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee347/Tambazz-Productions/IMG_1189.jpg

The Lodge
http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee347/Tambazz-Productions/IMG_1183.jpg

The run, the tow runs up the right side of the run.
http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee347/Tambazz-Productions/IMG_1179.jpg

Bottom of the rope tow
http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee347/Tambazz-Productions/IMG_1181.jpg

View from the Lodge
http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee347/Tambazz-Productions/IMG_1186.jpg

Straight_Line

13-01-2009, 09:08 AM

I think thats the club my wifes parent's help build setup. If it is then I dont think the rope tow is operational anymore.... I believe they were forced to close it. The greenies got in authorites ears something about the the undergrowth. From memory they also had an old groomer that was bought from Fall Creek.

[ 13.01.2009, 09:09 AM: Message edited by: Straight_Line ]

Paul Oberin

13-01-2009, 09:55 AM

A great place to ride your own Skidoo if you happen to own one.
Quite a few friends are members of that ski club.

Straight_Line

13-01-2009, 10:22 AM

Ah, yes the stories of skidoo riding.... the stories of what they got up to would not fit in todays oh&s, work safe etc books. My father in law still has his in the garage, with plenty of spare.... even spare for a full engine rebuild.

A lot of what they got up to wouldn't be allowed today.

Bear

13-01-2009, 11:42 AM

Looks flat. ;)

Thanks for the pics.

chunky

13-01-2009, 11:10 PM

Got any snow pics of that place anyone?

Slartybartfast

13-01-2009, 11:51 PM

Cool! thanks for sharing smile.gif

Straight_Line

14-01-2009, 08:10 AM

I have told my +1 to update with a bit of history, she said last night that her father was one of the original four members that set it up. They have plenty of photo's of the old days etc

Azz

14-01-2009, 10:41 AM

It would be great to see some of those pics if possible SL smile.gif

skimax

14-01-2009, 09:12 PM

yeah SL that would be great if they could be shared on line.

Straight_Line

15-01-2009, 12:50 PM

Some pics and little blurb from my +1 (she was busy but I will keep pushing for more history and pics)

Mum and Dad became involved in the late 60’s and were part of a group that reformed the club. It had fallen into disrepair in the mid 50’s. Mike Townsend (memorial plaque at the hut) was instrumental in regrouping old members and encouraging new members.

Like any resort or mountain area it has experienced some highs and lows re snowfall. There has been years of no snow and years that I can remember Dad walking in to run the snow cat down to the highway. I have also seen photos of the hut completely buried in snow. The summit area has far more consistent cover and quality. This unfortunately is now inaccessible other than by foot. It has had some of the finest powder, but like anywhere in Australia inconsistent.

The Club is really all about snow experience and some skiing on an affordable scale. When we were growing up we really couldn’t afford the resort prices for the length of time we wanted to stay in the snow line. Whilst my winters were all about snow I didn’t experience a groomed run until I was in my mid 20’s.

The original snow cat came from Falls. (Owned by TAA (airline)). We used run the cat to the top with rope behind and ski down the road (before greenies closed the road). The rope tow was put in by foundation members and upgraded after the summit access was closed.

The club is still very functional today. Membership is hard work and it needs to be the right person. People can contact me if they are really interested and I can pass them on.

http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr62/Straight_Line_Pics/scan.jpg (http://s470.photobucket.com/albums/rr62/Straight_Line_Pics/?action=view&current=scan.jpg)

http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr62/Straight_Line_Pics/MTWILLS.jpg (http://s470.photobucket.com/albums/rr62/Straight_Line_Pics/?action=view&current=MTWILLS.jpg)

http://i470.photobucket.com/albums/rr62/Straight_Line_Pics/old.jpg (http://s470.photobucket.com/albums/rr62/Straight_Line_Pics/?action=view&current=old.jpg)

Paul Oberin

15-01-2009, 01:05 PM

I knew Mike. It was said he died when the concrete boat he hand built sank out in the ocean after hitting a shipping Container, he was a really nice guy.

tambo

15-01-2009, 03:16 PM

Oh wow, that's not what you want to hear. Poor bloke.
It was looking lovely up there on the weekend. I'll always think of him now when we are up that way. :(

Straight_Line

16-01-2009, 08:17 AM

My +1 has said Mike passed away from tragic circumstances but not that drastic. Apparently he was electrocuted on said boat while buffing the handrails... somehow the cord wrapped around a rail??

She is getting more pics organised but the scanner is playing up.

Bogong

06-02-2010, 12:08 AM

I've been trying to find out more about the history of the Tallangatta S.C. lodge and tow on Mt Wills for the "club field" chapter in a history of Victorian skiing.

Any details of the clubs activities on Mt Wills would be appreciated.

As far as I know, these are the only backcountry ski lifts in Victoria, but if anyone knows of any more, please let me know. :)
http://wikiski.com/wiki/index.php/Non_resort_rope_tows#Victoria

Usha

28-04-2012, 09:40 AM

Hi,Does any one know the where abouts of the snow cat or skidoo used by the ski club,do they still exsist?.I have an interest in Snow tracs, their history and really any thing to do with them.Does the club have a web site or if some one has a contact to find out a little more information would be great.
Thanks

Paul Oberin

28-04-2012, 10:17 AM