There’s lots to enjoy around the Canberra region over the colder months  from exploring to winter sports. This week “CityNews” looks at what to do and where to go this snow season.

WINTER is just around the corner, but there’s plenty of fun that can come with the colder weather.

There’s lots to enjoy around the Canberra region from exploring to getting ready for winter sports to even going on an unforgettable helicopter ride.

This week “CityNews” looks at what to do and where to go this snow season.

Ignite imaginations at the Snowy Hydro centre

“WHILE visiting the Snowy Mountains region, school groups are encouraged to stop by the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre to experience the mighty Snowy Scheme like never before,” says a Snowy Hydro spokesperson.

“Students can discover the scheme’s past, present and future and hear some of the stories behind the engineering and our people from our experienced staff, including former teachers.

“Our learning program will ignite students’ imagination and expand their knowledge about a range of curriculum including geography, STEM, history and social science subjects.” 

With a state-of-art immersive theatre, the spokesperson says learning programs can be complemented with a range of experiences including a virtual fly-over of the scheme.

“Our huge, renewable energy project, Snowy 2.0, is powering ahead and students can learn about the project, view a scale-model tunnel boring machine, and discover Snowy Hydro’s leading role as Australia transitions to a renewable energy future,” says the spokesperson.

“The Snowy Hydro education program is now available online with the launch of our brand new education portal Next Generation Education Hub. It provides easy-to-access materials designed to inspire, provide critical thinking opportunities and increase science literacy with real-life, practical activities suitable for the classroom or at home.”

Snowy Hydro, Monaro Highway, Cooma. Call 1800 623776 or visit snowyhydro.com.au

Snow Fit and ready for the slopes

JANET Fabbri, owner of Higher Function Physio & Pilates, is offering a program of Snow Fit classes.

“We’ve just finished week two, but people can still join,” she says.

The Snow Fit classes run in collaboration with Vertikal Indoor Snow Sports.

“The aim is to improve people’s strength and to help prevent injuries.

“Vertikal gives instructions on how to become a better skier, and to grow better skills.

“We do strength training, stability, flexibility and help to improve the control, efficiency and agility.”

Janet has worked as a physiotherapist and musculoskeletal physiotherapist specialist for 25 years, and started Higher Function Physio & Pilates in 2013.

Having this experience, Janet says she knows what sort of practice works best (and what doesn’t) – not just for patients but for staff, too.

Higher Function Physio & Pilates, Suite 4, Level 1/23 Petrie Plaza, Canberra. Call 6262 9664, email reception@higherfunction.com.au or visit higherfunction.com.au

The little shop ‘filled with wonderful’

THE Shearer’s Wife in Cooma is a treasure trove of all things beautiful, says shop owner Clare Aitchison.

Clare, who is indeed the wife of a shearer and a busy mum, says The Shearer’s Wife makes for the perfect stop-in on the way to or from the snow.

She says her love of fashion and homewares inspired her to open the shop where she has curated a collection of beautiful brands and creations, from gorgeous homeware pieces to rustic leathers to beautiful fashion and bright, fun accessories.

“I’m blessed to be able to do what I love, bringing together an amazing collection of beautiful brands for you and your home,” says Clare.

“It’s a shop filled with lots of wonderful!”

The Shearer’s Wife, 80 Vale Street, Cooma.

Low-impact exercise technique keeps skiers fit

A NEW, scientifically studied exercise technique called Nordic Walking is more effective than jogging, but as gentle as walking, and is even used by cross-country skiers to stay fit in their off-season, says Capital Nordic Walking founder Kristen Pratt.

The technique uses specially designed poles that are planted behind the user to propel them along using the power of the upper body as well as the legs.

“When there’s no snow the Scandinavian and Nordic skiers shorten their poles and do exactly the same movement as they would in cross country skiing,” says Kristen.

“It doubles the number of muscles being used and strengthened compared to walking and running, making it easy to get a high-intensity cardiovascular workout,” says Kristen.

But while the technique is perfect for skiers, Kristen says anyone can try the versatile exercise.

“Because we have so much control over the range of movement and the level of intensity, you can adapt it to where you’re at and scale it up as you start to improve,” she says.

“The great thing about it is you don’t have to go very fast to get a good workout, but competitive Nordic walkers can get up to speeds similar to running.

“For people who like walking, it can turbo-charge your walk and for people who are really fit, like runners and crossfitters, it’s a really good cross activity to build muscle because it is so low impact.”

Capital Nordic Walking, email hello@capitalnordicwalking.com.au or visit capitalnordicwalking.com.au

Annie and her pursuit of perfection

ANNIE O’Keeffe opened her little piece of perfection, The Perfect Piece, in September 2018, and says she’s loved every minute.

“We are located in the heart of the Snowy Mountains in a beautiful little village, Berridale, that people love to spend a day in.”

She says she loves “being able to help people find a gift, forming relationships with the local community, and being a lovely space just to visit and enjoy some time.”

The Perfect Piece sells a range of homewares, beauty products and jewellery with an ethos of curating a range of Australian-made items.

“We try and sell as much Aussie-made, home-based products as possible to set ourselves apart from other businesses in the area.”

Currently in winter fashion, The Perfect Piece offers beanies, jumpers and scarves so that “you and your home are sorted for winter”.

The Perfect Piece, 72a Jindabyne Road, Berridale, NSW. Call 0488 478153, email theperfectpieceberridale@gmail.com or visit theperfectpieceberridale.com

Experience the Snowy Mountains from the air

SEE the Snowy Mountains and surrounds from a new perspective with a Snowy Mountains Helicopter ride, says charter pilot Meg Morris.

“There’s a 10-minute scenic flight, which goes alongside Lake Jindabyne and back through, to longer experiences of 30 minutes which takes you up over Mount Kosciuszko,” she says.

“People can also travel deeper into the Snowy Mountains and get up close with scenery and views only accessible from the air in an hour-long flight.

“There they’ll get to see the huts and shelters scattered around the National Park, the various waterfalls and lakes including the beautiful Valentine Falls.”

Meg says one of their most popular flights is the wilderness picnic, a 50-minute flight that takes couples to a secluded mountain hut where they can share cheese, nibbles and a bottle of bubbly.

“The two of you can just escape to nature where you can enjoy the scenery and the snowgums rustling,” she says.

“In the air you’ll be able to see the different flora and fauna and how it changes between landscapes as you’re climbing up over the range.”

That’s just the start though. From winery tours to special wedding flights, Meg says they offer a range of exclusive options that go above and beyond a typical day out in the Snowy Mountains.

Snowy Mountains Helicopters, Jindabyne Airport, 56 Tinworth Drive. Visit snowyheli.com.au or call 1300 950718.