Historical information

SKI TICKETS
Before tows and lifts were introduced at Falls Creek, it could take skiers 20 minutes to climb to the Summit … but only TWO minutes to go back to the bottom. The arrival of tows, then chairlifts and T-bars changed the face of skiing forever.
The first rope tow was constructed by Toni St. Elmo for the 1951 winter season. Bob Hymans installed a smaller tow for his guests at Skyline Lodge. Tows were still quite slow, so in 1956 Bob Hymans created his single chairlift.
In 1958 the Village rope tow, designed by Albury engineer Jock Wilson, opened. It was financed by shareholders including Bill Griffith (Bowna Ski Club) and the Bridgford family (St. Trinian’s Ski Club). Several other tows followed including the Summit T-bar in 1961, built by Ron McCallum and operated by Alpine Developments Pty. Ltd. which was a company formed by C. H. (Bill) Bridgford.
By 1982 Falls Creek was served by 16 different lifts or T-bars, all owned and operated by Alpine Developments (Holdings) Pty. Ltd.

During the development of Falls Creek, different methods have been used to pay for the use of tows, lifts and T-bars … including metal tokens, single tickets, strips of tickets and season passes.
The Falls Creek Historical Society Collection includes many examples of these items.

Significance

These tickets are significant because they represent a stage in the progression of chair lifts and management at Falls Creek Tourist Village.

Physical description

A collection of tickets issued for entry to Falls Creek, lift passes and lessons at Falls Creek Ski School for 1984. The tickets include a full set of adult passes and a set of children’s passes. Other ticket include those for Mountain Staff and Falls Creek Tourist Area Management Committee (F.C.T.A.M.C.) Volunteers.