THE third and final stage of the multi-million dollar redevelopment of Falls Creek's iconic Cloud 9 is to be completed during the coming 'green season', in time for winter 2025.
Visitors have this snow season being enjoying the new outside deck overlooking the breathtaking Spion Kopje, which was completed earlier this year, together with major structural changes, including a new stone clad ramp-style entrance on the southern side of the building, significantly improving accessibility for disabled skiers and sightseers.
The final stage of the redevelopment will see new windows added to flood the facility with natural light, a semi-enclosed deck for outdoor wind protection was well as expansion of the new bar area.
Coupled with installation a state-of-the-art kitchen in 2023, the final stage of the redevelopment will build on Falls Creek’s reputation as one of Australia’s premium Alpine destinations.
The revitalised venue perched at the top of Halley's Comet chairlift offers shelter from the elements, a much-needed coffee break, ski school catering and delicious lunch, drinks and more.
Traverse Alpine Group (TAG), the internationally acclaimed tourism and hospitality operator based in Falls Creek, Bright and Albury-Wodonga, is responsible for the Cloud 9 redevelopment.
TAG proprietor, Rosy Seaton, said the company takes great pride in being community minded, and harnessing the local expertise from Falls Creek and the Alpine region in everything it does.
"We hope when completed in 2025, Cloud 9 will be a future gathering place for community and visitors alike for a very long time,” she said.
Local firms Duggan & Hanlon Constructions, Sendit Architecture, and Kusch Consulting Engineers are among the businesses leading the redevelopment.
Lee Duggan from Duggan & Hanlon Constructions said there have been a few surprises during the project and "building on top of a mountain certainly has its challenges".
"But Cloud 9 is on track to becoming the greenest hospitality venue in the Australian snowfields utilising sustainable and recycled materials throughout the building fabric whilst maximising insulation values thru thermally broken windows and design to capture all that the sun can offer," he said.
"Combined with state of art heat pump technology and new energy efficient kitchen equipment Cloud 9 will be leading the way to reduce reliance on fossil fuels”.
