Falls Creek hosts first Interschools Snowsports event in two years

There were a lot of smiling faces this week in Falls Creek, as the South Australian Regional Championship held on 15-16 July marked the first Interschools Snowsports event in two years.

More than 150 South Australian children from 25 schools came together in the Victorian resort for a two-day event that celebrated snow sports, friendship and everything else that makes the Interschools atmosphere so loved.

“It was indeed special,” said David de Lacy, South Australian Snowsport Association Inc. (SASKI) Secretary and South Australia Interschools coordinator.

“It was great for everybody to have racing back again. I spoke with a lot of people on the mountain in Falls Creek and they were stoked to see children back out on the race tracks. The kids had an absolute ball and it was heartening to see the camaraderie and the support they all showed for each other during the presentations,” he said.

The South Australian Interschools group included some experienced skiers, but also a lot of beginners and kids who were skiing and boarding for the first time. Even in fairly trying weather conditions, which led to the cancellation of the nordic events scheduled for Friday, the support of staff from Snow Australia, SASKI and Falls Creek ensured that everybody had a good time and safely enjoyed their experience.

“I think it’s fair to say that even the beginners caught the alpine bug and they’ll go back to skiing and boarding again,” de Lacy said.

Snow Australia National Interschools Committee Chair Steve Cooper also said it was fantastic to see kids back on snow at Falls Creek after so much time, enjoying the special atmosphere of Interschools. He also acknowledged that unfortunately many other kids have not had an opportunity to do the same yet, due to the evolving COVID-19 scenario across the country. 

"While we celebrate the return of Snowsports Interschools, we also recognise that many students and families are currently affected by the COVID-19 restrictions in place for Greater Sydney, NSW and Victoria.

"With three major Regional events postponed this season, we are currently developing an alternative proposal for the State Championships in August.

“We are working closely with the School coordinators and our partners at Perisher to finalise the operational details and we hope to be in a position to share the revised plans with the Interschools community as soon as possible," he said.