Ski Touring Association of Victoria

The Stirling Files

STAV's VISION FOR MT STIRLING

Summary

The Ski Touring Association of Victoria sees the future of Mt Stirling lying in further developing its enormous potential as a cross country centre. This is in keeping with the concept of managing particular alpine areas for particular activities. Several aspects of the resort, in particular its base level of operations and access, will need attention to realise this potential. Development of complementary non-winter activities should also be encouraged to capitalise on the natural appeal of the area in both winter and summer.

Background

In 1985, STAV developed a snow zoning policy identifying that each ski area should be managed for a particular range of uses. It identified four basic zones: Remote, Semi-Remote, Semi-Developed and Developed. At the developed end of the scale, there should be cut and marked ski trails, visitor facilities, easy access and a safe environment for beginner skiers. At the remote end of the scale, areas would be characterised by the need for skiers to be self sufficient, with virtually no facilities. The common thread between all areas was that they need to be managed according to their needs and features.

At the time the policy was developed, Mt Stirling and its immediate surrounds provided a complete range of cross country skiing experiences. At the same time, pressure was mounting from various quarters for development of downhill skiing on the mountain. Since the original LCC recommendation to develop downhill skiing on Mt Stirling, various development proposals have been mooted, varying in the mix of downhill and cross country skiing, the inclusion of village accommodation etc. STAV has consistently opposed both downhill skifield and on mountain accommodation development. Rather than simply oppose such development, we have worked actively through the Stirling Liaison Committee and contact with clubs and other groups to promote the concept of a cross country resort.

The late 1980's and the 1990's has seen a steady growth of skiers, and a broadening in the type of skiing undertaken. The increasing interest in Cross Country Downhill (XCD) as an almost separate branch of skiing has seen more and more people heading straight for the open slopes of the summit. At the same time, the skating "revolution" and the concurrent developments in trail grooming and preparation have seen increasing numbers of lycra clad skiers utilising the extensive trail system. While these developments have taken place, Stirling's more "traditional" skiers have continued as in the past - tourers out for a quiet ski, school groups and novices having their first taste of camping in the snow.

Our zoning policy is as relevant to Stirling today as it was when it was developed. The mountain continues to offer a broad range of skiing experiences - there has simply been a shift in focus. Trail skiing within a resort infrastructure is a rapidly gr owing area of skiing, and the development of Stirling over the last ten years reflects this. The tremendous growth in numbers at Lake Mountain in recent years simply reinforces this.

Our Vision

STAV sees Mt Stirling as a unique opportunity to develop a complete cross country skiing resort, and this is underpinned by the following strengths Above all it is the breadth of skiing experience that Mt Stirling can offer that sets it apart. XCD from beginners to experts, skating, day touring and overnight camping are all available within a resort framework. There is no other ski area in Austral ia that can offer such a wide scope of activities in a relatively natural setting within easy reach of resort facilities. Downhill skiing and the corresponding infrastructure are incompatible with these current uses, and would destroy the very reason th at currently attracts people to Mt Stirling .

At the moment we see Mt Stirling as having the potential to be a complete cross country centre, rather than actually being one. Over the page, we detail the factors that will need to be addressed to facilitate the continued growth and development of Mt. Stirling.

Base of Operations

At present the base of operations is at Telephone Box Junction (TBJ), where resort management, commercial operations and car parking are provided. Skiing from this level is only possible for a few weeks of the season in a good year, and scarcely at all in a poor one. This frequently means a walk of up to several kilometres to reach skiable snow. While this is acceptable to many touring skiers, it is a major disincentive to many skiers including novices, children and school groups.

A second base of operations should be established near the Cricket Pitch area at around 1500 metres elevation. A series of loop trails ranging from flat to moderate slopes could be developed in this area, and several alternatives have already been identi fied and marked. The current base at TBJ should be maintained to enable skiers to fully utilise the lower trail system in times of good snow cover. Car parking should continue here with the potential for additional parking in the region of King Saddle( along King Saddle East trail ?). Skiers would take some type of communal transport (oversnow, "zoo train" or similar) from either TBJ or King Saddle, or would ski and/or walk from TBJ.

Access

Skiers staying at Falls Creek or Mt Hotham can choose on a day by day basis what type of skiing they wish to undertake. Skiers staying at Mt Buller do not realistically have the same option. Access between the two mountains must be improved. STAV canno t support the concept of a gondola or cable car linking the two mountains on aesthetic grounds, and without an integrated lifting system it would not be economically viable anyway. The road link between the two mountains via Howqua Gap should be upgrade d to allow some combination of 2 wheel drive private vehicular traffic and/or oversnow/bus traffic.

Resort Management

While we acknowledge that its development must take account of its links with both Mt Buller and the local communities, Mt Stirling must run as a separate resort. As part of a combined Buller/Stirling resort, it will always be the minor partner, and wi ll not receive the management attention it deserves. The need for a separate Committee of Management for Mt Stirling has been recognised by the ARC review panel.

There should be a single point of collection of resort use fees, rather than the inefficient current system of separate gate entry fees and trail fees. STAV recognises the trend toward full recovery of costs through user pays, but believe that this need s to be tempered by a number of factors. All other current resorts were financed to varying degrees by government consolidated revenue early in their development. Some type of infrastructure development will be necessary to develop Stirling to the poi nt where it is able to cover its own running costs.

Stirling must also be looked at in the larger context of development of cross country skiing in Victoria. Skier numbers are increasing rapidly at Lake Mountain, and overcrowding is a regular event on weekends. Stirling is best placed to handle this overflow, and this will in itself help move the resort toward financial self-sufficiency. However, this could require some level of cross-subsidisation to facilitate the development of the necessary infrastructure to attract these skiers. Buller is ofte n depicted as subsidising Stirling, but the whole issue of cross subsidisation between ALL resorts is a bit more complex than that.

Non-Winter Activities

STAV is a skiers group, and naturally our primary concern with Stirling is its wintertime activities. We acknowledge the extensive use the area receives outside of the snow season, including bushwalking, orienteering, school studies, mountain bike riding, four wheel driving etc. Provided these activities continue to have no significant detrimental effects on the skiing potential or significant environmental impact, we support their continuation and expansion. Stirling holds great potential for Ecotourism activities, and they should be pursued. Such activities also offer potential for revenue collection outside winter use. This is an important point, as skiers currently meet the costs of maintaining toilets, rubbish removal etc in non-winter months. The concept of some type of non-winter use fee should be pursued if economic self sufficiency is to be a realistic target.

The Summit Area

The summit of Stirling offers great vistas and appreciation of the grandeur of VictoriaAEs high country in both summer and winter, and must be preserved. There should be no new buildings or infrastructure above the tree line. Cattle grazing should continue to be phased out. Vehicle traffic should be kept to trails below the treeline, and any existing trails in the summit area should be closed and revegetated.

Why develop at all?

Some cross country skiers would like to effectively turn back the clock and see Stirling as a backcountry area without any of the trappings of any type of resort. STAV believes that this is neither desirable nor, in the long term, sustainable. To deny the development of a resort that is accessible to a wide range of skiers and activities is to practice a form of elitism we cannot support. Our best hope of preserving Stirling as a cross country venue in the long term is for as many people as possible, in both the local community and in Victoria generally, to feel ownership of the mountain and what it can offer.

What happens next ?

STAV is representing cross country skiers in the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) Consultative Committee. Write to STAV and let us know the sort of future that YOU would like to see for Mt Stirling. Alternatively, you can post a brief comment for us and other skiers in the STAV Discussion Forum.
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Last updated 11 February 1997.