by Jeanette L. Gibbs
 While Spring can almost ensure blue-sky bikini skiing days, early Winter is more prone to turn on the nasty weather. And our arrival into Falls Creek coincided with weather that can only be described as pure feral. But if you like fresh powder skiing, sometimes you have to put up with the foul weather that hangs around with the storm front. Unfortunately the kids aren’t too keen for blizzards, well, horizontal sleet anyway.
Our saving grace was the fact we were booked into the lodge famous throughout the mountains as the best place for entertaining families, and it’s true: when the weather is too wicked for skiing, ‘Pretty Valley Alpine Lodge’ is the place to be. Into their 25th anniversary year, Barry and the crew at Pretty Valley work as a well-oiled machine, which at times appears more like a friendship club. But it’s more than just the smiles that have the guests returning year after year.
Take dinnertime for example: each evening the kids are fed at six. Once their tummies are full of tucker, they’re taken to the in-house 22-seat cinema for a kiddie-style movie. While they’re being entertained, the grown-ups can kick back uninterrupted and enjoy their meal in peace, which is, as any parent would know, a rare treat indeed.
 Without a doubt, Pretty Valley serves the best meals we’ve yet experienced, but what would you expect from a kitchen that hosts five chefs, a baker and a pastry chef? Apart from the culinary delights served at each mealtime, a tray of fresh cookies or pastries is set out for those wanting something to dunk in their hot chocolate, at any time of day. Be assured this is one place that pampers to the tastebuds.
When lunchtime rolls around, feeding a family at mountain prices can empty the wallet in a hurry. And as most lodges only offer two meals a day, this is something else that makes Pretty Valley unique. Not only are three meals a day and all treats in-between included in the tariff, but also ski hire and snow clothing. Yes, I know: hard to believe, but true!
Offering the ambience one would expect to find within a ski lodge, imagine a roaring fireplace set between two massive windows overlooking not only the valley itself, but the three spas and the 17-metre heated pool. Afternoon entertainment for those not swimming is watching the scantily-clad make the dash from the heated pool, across the snow and into the sauna.
If you need to keep up-to-date with all that’s happening on-line, check your email or surf the net, the computer lounge is just another perk that Pretty Valley offer their guests. Or why not welcome in Happy Hour at the ‘Cock and Bull’: with English nobility adorning the walls and battle axes hanging overhead, this authentic English Pub is a great place to enjoy a quiet moment while dinner is being prepared.
 Location is another great bonus when staying at Pretty Valley. With a ski-in ski-out facility, walking is never really necessary. When the kids are ready for their lessons, the Bilia Bullet Chairlift, conveniently located next door, will whisk them to the top of the mountain, where they’ll find the Falls Creek Snowsports.
For the skier, Falls Creek itself is an all-weather resort, with a choice of bowls that help ward off the wind when it blows its icy breath and a mixture of runs and ski terrain for all skiing abilities. Falls Creek pride themselves on the logo: ‘Falls Creek – where the fun falls’, so, when you’ve had enough ‘bending of the knees’, why not try some of the fun family activities they offer, from snowbiking, snowshoeing or perhaps snowtubing.
We opted for snowtubing, and yes it’s true: as I hurtled and spun out of control down the icy track in nothing but an inner tube and feeling as though I was part of the Jamaican bobsled team, I did shriek more than my four year old who was surprisingly yahooing with glee.
If you’re still looking for something to do and Falls Creek has taken your fancy, Barry is only too keen to show you the plans for the ‘Ropers’ apartments he’s building. So if you’re after an investment, which allows you access to all that Falls Creek has on offer and the use of Pretty Valley’s facilities, then this could be for you. | 
