Mountain for summer

By Kath Gannaway
LAKE Mountain Resort’s reputation as a winter mecca for snow play and cross-country skiing, has taken a flying leap forward with the launch of its exciting new Green Season program.
“We still have the fantastic bushwalks, wildflowers and trails that have always been a summer attraction, but this year we have introduced a range of structured activities to provide some action and adventure within that natural environment,” Lake Mountain CEO Paul Squires said.
The new, triple-A-rated action, adventure, altitude activities include two 240 metre flying foxes, laser skirmish, mini-dune buggies for children under 13 and all-terrain vehicles for anyone older with courses which take full advantage of the mountain’s natural environment. A nine-hole frisbee golf course, down-hill roller skiing and, arriving very soon, an inflatable village of jumping castles for the littlies almost completes the action, adventure package that Mr Squires and his team are tremendously excited about.
Complementary facilities on the mountain include a new 500-seat bistro.
Funding through Regional Development Victoria was announced in July and Mr Squires said it was initially planned to have the summer program operating by summer 2012/13.
The project has been achieved in record time.
“We are a significant economic driver in the Marysville and Triangle area and we believed it was vitally important for us to get this up and running for the whole area,” Mr Squires said. He added that his staff, working closely with the staff at Regional Development Victoria, had done an amazing job to get the project off the ground in just five months.
“It’s about enhancing Marysville as a destination and also saying come up and see how Lake Mountain has recovered as well,” he said.
Visitors will have the option of a day pass which covers all the activities, or tickets for individual activities.
December is a trial period and Mr Squires encouraged people to go on-line to book to be among the first to try out the new program, or to plan a day, or two, during the January school holidays.
Visit www.lakemountainresort.com.au to book on-line, or purchase tickets at the gate.