Seven seasons at Falls Creek have given guest services leader Kelsey Watkins a front-row seat to busy winters, big snowfalls and a close-knit mountain community.

This year, she’s added another layer to her life on the mountain; running a handmade beanie business alongside her day job.

“It’s been a great season so far, lots of snow which has kept us very busy,” she said.

“In my role as the guest services manager, I look after the indoor ticket sales and outdoor ticket scanning team.

"My mornings are often spent in store or at the ticket gates assisting staff and managing the flow of guests.

"The rest of my day is a little less interesting and generally spent at the computer staying on top of emails and day to day operational updates.”

It is the variety of the role that keeps Kelsey enjoying work-life on the mountain.

“I love the variety in the day-to-day activities in guest services," she said.

"I get the opportunity to work closely with my team, both indoors and outdoors on the slopes.”

Kelsey first arrived in 2019 without ever having visited Falls Creek before.

“I love the community here at Falls Creek, everyone is very warm and welcoming," she said.

"I think that’s what’s kept me coming back all of these years.”

That community has also embraced Euca Apparel, the beanie-making venture she runs with her partner Charlie.

“We decided to make ourselves a beanie after flying back from doing the Canadian winter season," Kelsey explained.

"At the time we didn’t realise it but we had purchased enough material to make a few and had lots of friends wanting us to make one for them.

"We loved making them as a hobby and from there it blossomed into a full blown business.”

The pair spend summers sourcing fabrics that stand out.

“We tend to pick funky patterns that stand out to us," Kelsey said.

"My favourite one to wear is definitely the four point style.”

In 2024, a conversation at work led to their beanies being stocked in the Falls Creek retail store.

“Over the summer we worked with Tim (Falls Creek retail & rental manager) to finalise everything,” Kelsey said.

Seeing her creations on the mountain has become one of the highlights of the season.

“When I’m out on the slopes or in-store and see people in our beanies, it brings me a lot of joy, it makes the juggle all the more worth it,” she said.

When she does get a day off, Kelsey’s plans are simple.

“A sleep in is always on the cards followed by a big breaky," she said.

"Then I’ll get out for a snowboard with friends and finish the day with après.”

For Kelsey, Falls Creek is more than just where she works.

It is where her seasons, her community and her creativity all come together.