That’s it. As the snow season comes to an end for 2013 just a quick word of thanks to those who came through Marysville to Lake Mtn.

Weather wise, it certainly was a challenging one with a late start and an early finishing in-line with record July and September temps. In-between, good snowfalls quickly followed up by rain seemed to be the order. Oh, and there was the power failure one weekend for 21 hours. Anyway, plenty of manmade snow ensured tobogganing and snowplay was still plentiful. Heaps of people through the shop with some well known faces offering their support.

Elevation 423
A successful first winter with large numbers enjoying the convienence of local food. Having attained our gereral licence it now probably is fair to say that we are the local pub. Set to continue to operate over summer it’s now time to lift the blinds and open the doors to the deck.

Also, thanks to the team. Look forward to seeing all in 2014 or pop in and say hi if you’re in Marysville over summer.

Cheers. Grego
Go Hawks

After a month of warm weather and rain, Lake Mtn should go off this weekend with snow falls down to low levels. Try and get to the shop early if possible to beat the crowds. Also, chains will probably be needed for 2WD vehicles so look out for the ‘chains compulsory’ banner out the front and if needed, drop in with the tyre size to speed things up.

Elevation 423
Heaps of people through and heaps of meals over the school hols. It’s great having somewhere in town to get some food and a beer. Our selection of winter warmers are a big hit including malt whiskey, mulled wine and liqueur coffees.
Big news… we now have a general liquor license. Not sure if that means we are the Marysville pub but at least you can now get takeaways after 6 pm.
We will be putting our menu on our website shortly. Just give us a heads up if you are wanting to book for a group.

Need some good cheap gear? The Ex-rental shop is where its at. Ask for Calista in the ski hire.

So, give us a call if you want to check out the snow and ski conditions or drop in and say hi to the team…You lucky people.

Cheers Grego

All alpine resorts contine to wait for that season opening dump of fresh snow. In the mean time, Lake Mt. have been pumping the man made stuff onto the toboggan runs to get a good base happening. Doesn’t look like anything significant on the way in the next week, though my mother in Bendigo reckons it feels like snows on its way cause her feet are cold??? …How do they come up with these things! A number of Singaporean families in the shop over the last couple of weeks enjoyed a snow experience during their school holidays before ours start. They get a 4 week mid term break!

The shops are getting set up nicely with the last of the equipment arriving. Another Wintersteiger boot dryer has arrived from Austria to join the others. Not only do they dry the boots inside but they also sanitize them. So although we hire out large numbers of boots, we dont get the smells. Speaking of boots, the new fleet of ski boots should be arriving today. The latest gear from Madshus in Norway.

Elevation 423 Bar & Cafe

A new PB for the bar over the opening weekend with 81 main meals served up on the Sunday. Must be the 300 gm Scotch fillet from the Vic markets and Lianne’s homemade apple crumble which has everyone talking. Also, its use as a function venue continues to build with an 18th birthday planned for July. With not many local options it certainly has the atmosphere with its mix of stone and timber and plenty of heaters! In town on a Friday? Try mixing it with the locals for happy hour and a feed. You can also pick up your snow gear at the same time to make a quick start the next morning. We don’t charge extra for you being organized.

Ex-rental shop

Is open…Good gear. Cheap prices.
The dilemma – $10 to rent a new pair of snow boots or $20 to buy a good 1 year old pair with new insoles.

An alert from LM ski patrol this week. Double person toboggans available from Aldi stores have been banned across all Victorian resorts. Please call the shop if you need clarification. Also, consider a helmet for your child this year. $5 to hire and another $3 for a sick cover. Looks good for the photos and they’ll wear it. Take care…

Cheers Grego

After a hectic summer it feels like we are due some relief right about now. No chance! Snow season 2013 get underway this weekend and even the staff are hassling me to get my blog written! Big changes at Cross Country Ski Hire this year will include the addition of our onsite bar/cafe and the opening of our onsite ex-rental and retail shop.

ELEVATION 423 BAR & CAFE
Finally Marysville has a bar! Admittedly it was a bit of a glorified tuckshop when it first opened in July 2012. Over summer it’s established itself as one of the best local food stops. Cafe food during the day for the snow crowds and pizza and pub food with a beer or wine in the evening. Easy.

With the colder weather now here we have also added cafe blinds and heaters to the deck. It’s got a cosy atmosphere which is probably one of the reasons we are now getting groups using the venue for functions. We’ve even had an enquiry for a wedding reception! Also, it’s good to see locals getting out again and mixing it with tourists.

It’s currently open on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights from 5pm to late but this will change in-line with the snow season. Stay tuned for updates. So first up, grab a coffee and a bacon and egg muffin before organising your ski gear. Then, pick up or scan a menu at the ski hire registers and if you can’t stop in for a meal on your return at the end of the day, ring on your way down the mountain and your pizza will be waiting when you drop your gear off! Nice.

EX-RENTAL SHOP
With all the new gear arriving we’ve had to set up an on-site shop to sell all the ex-rental stuff. By turning over the gear quickly, those wanting to buy can still get a garment in good condition for less than half the cost of a new one. Items for sale include insulated and non-insulated clothing, snow boots and toboggans. $10 to hire a pair of new adult snowboots or $20 to buy a one year old pair… Check it out.

For the opening weekend it looks like Lake Mtn will have the snow guns working overtime to get the toboggan runs open.  Big news this year is that the mountain has been privatized and the new mob are out to impress! Better coverage with man made snow, better access to higher snow areas for non-skiers and a wavering of snowtrail fees. Should be a good year. Let’s hope there’s plenty of natural falls as well. All of us adults remember the first time we saw snow, only some of us got a bit carried away since! Remember, keep the kids warm and dry and mums happy and if mum’s happy then dad’s happy!

Have a great 2013 snow season. Stay safe and ring if you need some advice or gear. You won’t need to pre-book as we’ve got heaps and are confident that we won’t run out.

Cheers Grego.

We're so proud of our new shop and cafe that we decided to make a video to show you how easy it is to move through the shop!

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Well, the shop and cafe pumped last weekend. Hundreds through. All with good gear and out again in approx. 15 minutes. Furthermore, we didn’t run out of any stock. The cafe was also hammered with promotion of pizzas at the ski hire registers allowing people to order a takeaway whilst heading down after their day at Lake Mtn. Hand in your ski hire and have your pizza ready to take away…too easy!

It’s that time of the year with the running of the annual toboggan race series at Lake Mtn to be held this Saturday. As you will see from past blog posts we ( the royal we ) at Cross Country Ski Hire, take this event very seriously. In fact, we have hired the winning tobboggans since the events inception. Yes, it could appear to be an obsession and our tactics are shameless and unfair. Indeed, we have increased our Supercarve toboggan numbers to 120 and we have even waxed a few of them! Furthermore, with over 500 toboggans instore, its also unlikely that we will run out so need to prebook. It also
looks like the snow gods will be smiling on this snow year’s event, with a nice dump set to hit the alps tonight and tomorrow. We should expect around 15 to 20 cm from this front which should also set things up nicely for another week.

With disapointing conditions for skiing todate, last weeks falls have seen a number of school groups rush to take advantage. Indeed, a PB for the shop today with 3 schools attending in succession with a combined number of 86 skiers being fitted out with skis, boots and poles in under an hour. Another win for the newly designed shop. Good staff also helps – thanks Sue and Jake. Thanks to the staff and students from  Hetherton Christian College, St. Kevin’s,Yarra Hills Secondary College and Hillcrest Christian college for your support again this year. A top bunch of  boys and girls. We look forward to helping you with your winter programs in 2013. And what is it with kids feet these days? Fifteen year old boys and the majority had a size 12/13 shoe.

Photos this week of the school mini buses using the return car park. Remember to get up here nice and early if you’re heading up for the races. Should be another busy one and don’t forget the carrot for the snowmans nose. A stick is a poor substitute.

Cheers Grego

Good news folks. Lower than expected temps over the alpine region today has seen snow bucketing down and with further snow showers forecast tomorrow, the weekend is shaping up to be one of the best this season. In fact, with a freezing level of 700 metres, it wouldn’t surprise me if tomorrow they were putting chains on outside the front of the shop!

The ski hire continues to perform to expectations. Good snow at the beggining of the school holidays saw large numbers of people through the shop. The middle weekend again saw the Mtn closing at approx 11 am yet our customers were still able to get through our shop with all their gear in approx15 minutes.

The cafe/bar was opened inline with the commencement  of the school holidays. Initially serving light lunches and coffee it has since progressed to opening for regular trade on Friday and Saturday night’s. Indeed, last weekend was its first and coincided with a letter drop by the local postie on the day before. 53 pizzas in total. Not a bad opener and no one that we are aware of got sick!

The shop was also recently paid a visit by the Oakley Canon’s Soccer Club. 2 coach loads through the ski hire and 28 pizzas on return. Thanks to John and the committee for their continued support. A wonderful club with great leadership and community support. Now if only we could get some decent snow for you guys!      

A big thanks to all the Cross Country Ski Hire staff who have worked tirelessly and with great flexibility during an indifferent season. So get in early this weekend to avoid the disappointment of potentially another Mtn closure day and with snow continuing to fall, it’s shaping up to be a magic weekend.

Cheers. Grego

What a difference a day makes. Limited man made snow on the village toboggan run only has been the feature of daily snow reports...until today.

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A lacklustre start to the 2012 snow season has seen limited man made snow on the village toboggan run only. However, all that will change from this Thursday with a solid front due to hit Lake Mountain.

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We're @skihire on Instagram. Looking forward to experimenting with it this year...

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