More than 60 hardy people braved a very frosty morning and dived into the mile-high Rocky Valley Lake, continuing a winter ritual that takes place in numerous snowy northern hemisphere countries.

Canadian and American “polar bear clubs” go outdoor bathing or swimming in the middle of winter often conducted as fund-raisers for charity.

The Falls Creek-based SES is the benefactor from today’s plunge into the icy cold water, used by the resort’s snowmakers throughout winter, followed by a community barbecue.

While this is a first at an alpine resort in the southern hemisphere it won’t be the last.

Participants who ventured into the icy cold water at Falls Creek (which was warmer than the outside temperature), such as cross-country skier Lescinska Fackerell said they’d do it again next year on the first day of winter.

“It is just the sort of thing I often do,” Fackerell said.

“I always put my hand up for something silly and when the opportunity to be one of the inaugural Ice Plunge participants was offered to me (and my boyfriend Nick Grimmer, a member of the Australian national cross-country team that train at Falls Creek) I said I may as well.”

The forecast is for sub zero overnight temperatures tomorrow and Tuesday so there may be a snowmaking window for the alpine resort’s snow producers before the traditional opening of the snow season on Queen’s Birthday holiday weekend.

Ice Plunge participants at Falls Creek celebrated the first day of winter. Picture by Top Shots