Summit Ridge, Falls Creek review: Oh, sweet seduction

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This was published 14 years ago

Summit Ridge, Falls Creek review: Oh, sweet seduction

Warm ... the exterior of Summit Ridge.

Warm ... the exterior of Summit Ridge.

Natalie Craig falls for the oysters and creme brulee during a mountain escape.

I want my romantic ski mini-break at Falls Creek to be red hot. That means flawless skiing, followed by a champagne toast in a private outdoor spa, and then a snuggle before an open fire on a bear-skin rug. Grrrrr!

But after a lunch hour spent furtively Googling phrases such as "sexy ski deals", the cost of such a venture turns me off. I realise I will have to adjust my thinking and this leads to Summit Ridge.

The tariff includes a "queen suite" and dinner at the candlelit restaurant – apparently one of the best in the region. Romance is sure to result.

But it is rest, not romance, that we need after a five-hour car trip from Melbourne. Summit Ridge, like most Falls Creek hotels, is reached via an "oversnow" transfer. By the time we have parked, bought tickets and ridden in the creeping snow tractor for 15 minutes, it is past midnight.

"No worries at all," is the reception from owner Simon Rawlings, who shows us through the dark hotel, pointing out the guest laundry, drying rooms and "flotation tank".

"Can two people use it?" I ask, hopefully. (I later find out the giant capsule is a sports recovery device but claustrophobia keeps me out of it.)

Rawlings shows us our room and bids us good night. "Sleep well, it looks like we're going to be bashed tonight!"

"With snow, Natalie," my partner explains, gauging my bewildered face.

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We survey the room: heavy concrete brick walls painted cream, a queen bed, shelving, a small TV and a chair. The curtains are ruby and the bedspread a dated geometric pattern. Pale-blue carpet replaces the bear skin of my dreams.

I spy champagne glasses and lunge for the bar fridge but it is empty. Instead, we each don the navy-blue satin robes emblazoned with "Summit Ridge" and crack up laughing at the vision we present in the bathroom mirror – a perfectly co-ordinated couple, like Kath and Kel from TV's Fountain Lakes. The bathroom has a toilet, basin, heated towel racks and shower-and-bath combo, too small for two tall people.

Still, it is cheery and comfortable and my partner seems to really love me for booking it. No private balcony spa required.

The morning exposes a pretty view towards the village but no new snow. A greater expanse can be seen upstairs in the suave dining room. It has an open fire lodged in a stone wall, dark leather lounges, and heavy timber tables with dark leather chairs.

Cereal, toast and fruit are ours for the taking, then hot food is cooked to order. We eat scrambled eggs, bacon and tomatoes.

Full and excited, we shuffle across snow for five minutes to a ski hire shop. (No cars on the road means the whole resort is tranquil, skiable and walkable.)

We ski Drover's Dream, a green, "easy" run, before sharing an unmemorable lasagne at Cloud Nine cafe. I can tell my partner is thirsting for a bigger challenge, so we traverse to the "advanced" St Elmo's Slide.

"I want to hold your hand!" my partner sings out as I career in front of him. "Don't talk to me!" I yell, concentrating desperately.

Fortunately for my partner, I survive, and I am canny enough to direct us to the Feathertop Lodge for the afternoon oyster special. The sexiness scale soars as we sit on chesterfield lounges, and scoff a dozen oysters each, mine with bubbles and his with Beck's.

But the climax comes at dinner at Summit Ridge later that night. "Oh my God. I don't know what to get," he gushes. Reading the menu is like indulging in food porn – each ingredient more exotic and sensual than the next.

We sit at our candlelit table and ponder concoctions such as "paprika foam" and "truffled sheep's cheese". Simon Rawlings' wife, Wendy, who runs the restaurant, explains the creations are inspired by a new, very expensive "pacojet", which makes sorbets and other emulsions.

I settle on an entree of wide, handmade strips of pappardelle pasta with pungent jamon, snow peas and wild mushrooms. Each ingredient is superb and the combination perfectly balanced. My partner says the same about his house gnocchi with basil and lamb shanks.

But there is more. I can't resist the brined pork fillet with pressed belly and apple accompaniments – after all, I have been skiing and can't possibly get fat.

We somehow find room to share creme brulee for dessert, which comes with the best strawberry sauce I've ever tasted.

Back at the room, we lie on our bed like big contented cows.

"I think I'm too full for snuggles," I say. He is already snoring.

VISITORS' BOOK

Summit Ridge

Address 8 Schuss Street, Falls Creek.

Bookings 5758 3800.

Getting there Falls Creek is about 4.5 hours' drive from Melbourne. Oversnow transfer is $18.70/$33.20 return an adult, with luggage. Children under 15 are $12.30/$22.10 and under 5 free.

How much Two nights in a queen suite, plus two breakfasts and a two-course dinner $400 a person on lastminute.com.au.

Summary A comfortable, clean, cheery hotel with a focus on its restaurant, which shows off the best local ingredients in sexy, hearty dishes. Rooms range from standard bunk rooms to mezzanine suites, complete with separate sleeping and living areas, king-sized bed and DVD player, on request.

Verdict 17

The score: 19-20 excellent; 17-18 great; 15-16 good; 13-14 comfortable.

All weekends away are conducted anonymously and paid for by Traveller.

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