Taking the Polaris snow mobile for a wild ride

It is capable of reaching a top speed of 120 miles (190kmh).

“Does it really go that fast?” I ask.

“We are not going to find out because we are restricted to 40 up here,” our guide Pete says as he takes us through a series of pre-ride checks.

We’ve just taken the lift up to the staging area where Falls Creek Snow Mobile Tours runs its trips to Mt McKay, Victoria’s highest road (1842m).

Even though the company is 10 years old, the snow mobiles are new. So new, in fact, that I can’t see a scratch on them.

Pete fits us with helmets, gloves and explains how these snow beasts work. He goes through every detail, even down to how the hand warmers work, but then admits that we will only get a true feel for the Polaris when we hit the throttle.

The Polaris snow mobile grunts into action

He’s right. It leaps into action and there’s nothing smooth about the way this thing moves. Rather than purring, it grunts. It is pure power and the more you give it throttle-wise the more control you get.

After a few circles around the holding yard, Pete summons us to follow him out on to Road 24 for a look at some of Falls Creek’s scenic back country.

We follow in single file as the snow mobiles head up the mountain. At times, the snow mobiles seem to have a mind of their own, squirting from one direction to the next. I try to stay in Pete’s tracks, but he guns it and goes off into the distance.

The Polaris handles a bit like a horse it’s powerful, you think you are in control, but sometimes you are not. You go where it wants to go.

The ride takes about 60 minutes.

Falls Creek, Australia’s largest Alpine resort, is a 4 1/2-hour drive from Melbourne and about a two-hour drive from Albury airport.

See www.skifalls.com.au for details or phone 1800 453 525.