The Victorian town of Falls Creek can be described as a lot of things. An alpine village, a hidden gem, an all-season resort. But Britteny Cox describes it as home. If that name rings a bell, you’ve probably watched a Winter Olympics ski competition between 2010 and 2022.

Britt has been representing Australia on the global stage since she was only 15 years old. Her debut at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games made her the youngest Australian Winter Olympian in over 50 years. Since then, she’s had over 75 World Cup starts, 16 podium finishes and nine gold medals, coming out on top of the 2016-17 world championships.

Britt may have competed in elite competitions the world over, but her hometown holds a special place in her heart. In partnership with Falls Creek, Concrete Playground recently chatted to the ski champ about why aspiring powderheads should consider Falls, what sets it apart from other Aussie ski resorts and how to get the most out of your next visit.

Britt, it’s safe to say that you’ve risen to the top of the podium of Australia’s best skiers, yourself competing and coaching others worldwide. How did this journey start for you?

“I grew up in Falls Creek. I was very lucky that my parents ran an accommodation business on the mountain in Falls. So I was born into that environment, my brother and I were put on skis pretty much when we could walk. I don’t remember my first-ever ski experience. I was that young. And we went through the Falls Creek Primary school, skiing with our school sports. I was so lucky. For me, that was just a normal part of my schooling and education.

And every day after school, my brother and I would be out there skiing on the mountain pretty much until the lifts closed. My brother is four years older [than me] and I just wanted to do what he was doing.”

“And then competing for the Falls Creek primary school in inter-school local competitions where I did all the different skiing disciplines, moguls, ski racing, cross country, ski cross, all of them. But I think equally as important in my journey into being an elite athlete was watching the 2002 Winter Olympics.

They were held in Salt Lake City, where Australia won their first gold medal. It’s also where Alisa Camplin won gold as an aerial skier. And she was definitely my biggest idol and inspiration moving forward. So I didn’t know then what sport I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to be the best in the world at something like Alisa.”

As a local, what would you say is the draw card for Falls as a winter resort, and what sets it apart from other Australian ski resorts?

“There’s something I’ve always said to people in my travels when I go overseas, and I talk about skiing [in Australia] and if they’re trying to decide where they want to ski in Australia. And that’s that Falls is a ski-in ski-out resort and, that’s what makes it unique.

And also I think Falls just has a really nice village feel, a really nice community. Plus good nightlife for families and young people, there’s amazing restaurants and bars and things like that.”

What’s your favourite place for a drink and a favourite place for a bite to eat once you’re done on the mountain?

“It’s actually, really hard to pick just one because I think we’re very spoiled for choice at Falls. We have a really incredible food scene and a lot of highly acclaimed chefs at Falls which is really cool. For dinner, I probably pick Bob Sugar, which is right in the middle of the village, I really love their food.

Astra [Restaurant & Bar] is incredible. And then probably Summit Ridge if you go for something bougie, but otherwise, Huski [Kitchen] is also good. If you just go for apres even just Powder Keg [at St Falls Resort] down at the base of Halleys [Comet chairlift] is good too. Especially if you want to sit outside on a nice day.”

What would you say are your favourite parts of the mountain?

“My favourite area at Falls Creek would have to be the Summit, and I think it always has been since I was a kid. If there’s been fresh snow overnight and there’s a bit of powder, I love exploring the Maze.

There are so many different runs in the Maze, they’re awesome after a big dump of snow. I probably can’t leave out my run either – Britt Cox’s Cut Through – which is over on the lakeside, over the back.”

[Editors note — Britt loves The Summit and The Maze but caution that they are both recommended for advanced skiers only. Always check trail signage and respect the recommended difficulty.]

One of the draw cards for Falls Creek is the cross-country skiing trails, how does cross-country compare to downhill skiing?

“Going from downhill skiing to cross country is a very different feeling, you kind of feel like you’re on ice skates. It can be a little bit tricky. But at the same time, I think it’s easier to go slow and to make adjustments, so I would say it’s beginner friendly.

You can definitely get a lesson, but you can probably just go out there and start to figure it out yourself. I definitely encourage anyone that goes to Falls to give it a go. It’s also a bit cheaper…”

Is there anything else you wanted to give a shoutout to?

“I just want to say that Falls has a really special community of people — people that live there year-round. They’re the heartbeat of the mountain, and I think that’s something that people should appreciate when they go there. You’ll be welcomed at whatever lodge you’re staying at, whatever restaurant you go to. The business owners have had such a tough time over the last few years.

“They’ll be so excited to have people on the mountain again and want to welcome people there. So I just encourage people going to visit Falls to remember that and to know that they’re excited to invite you in for a holiday and to enjoy the mountain as much as they do.”

Planning to hit the slopes this winter? Book your snow holiday at Falls Creek Alpine Resort.