SKI > Mount Hotham

Those who choose to ski regularly at Mount Hotham, are often zealots as to why ‘Hotham is so much better than any other mountain in Australia’. It is not that they are critical of other Australian Ski Resorts, its just they are certain that Mount Hotham is the best. Perhaps it is because it is the highest ski resort in Australia with a summit elevation of 2,209 meters (7,243 feet). Or perhaps it is because Hotham is known for its deep snow, which has earned it the nickname “Australia’s powder capital”. Maybe it is because it is truely ski in ski out.

We are not zealots but we have skied at Mount Hotham for over 20 seasons, so we will cover everything you need to know about travelling to Mt Hotham in Australia’s Victorian Alps.

The Mount Hotham resort has 320 hectares (791 acres) of skiable terrain, accessed by 13 lifts. There are runs for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, from beginner to expert. Hotham also has a variety of off-piste terrain, including bowls, cliffs, and trees.

A key point of difference for Mount Hotham is that the resort village sits along the mountain spine with ski runs down the hill into the valleys. So every day can start with a run down to the lifts, rather than queuing up to ride up before you get to ski down again.

Getting There

Hotham is 380 kilometres from Melbourne, it takes about 4.5 hours to drive there in the car, 135km from Albury and about 700km from Sydney. Mount Hotham has an airport which was developed in 2000 with regular Qantas Link commercial flights, however they stopped in 2011 and today the airport is only accessible to charter flights. You can fly to Albury and there options for connecting transport. The Alpine Highway runs all the way from Wangaratta (past Albury) and up through the towns of Bright (also the base town for Falls Creek) and Harrietville across towards the coast to Omeo in East Gippsland and finally to Metung on the Gippsland Lakes.

History

The gold rush in the 1860s saw a range of commercial centres developed in the Victorian Alpine ranges and it became a popular place to visit, in 1925 the Feathertop Bungalow was built by Bill Spargo and many people would come up to ski on Mount Hotham and Mount Feathertop. The first lift was the Blue Ribbon Nutcracker Rope Tow which was built in 1952.

The Good and the Bad – So What Is It Really Like?

When the snow is good, there is no question that Mount Hotham is amazing. The combination of being able to ski straight out from your accomodation on a range of terrain that suits all skier types but more intermediate and advanced terrain than some other resorts.

When there is enough snow to open Blue Ribbon, Gotcha, Keogh’s and The Orchard the mountain feels huge and there are some amazing trails and some challenging terrain available to conquer. In particular the extreme zone that includes the powder bowl leading to Mary’s Slide will put a smile on any powder hounds’ face.

For beginners there are dedicated learning zones, the Big D has its own quad chair as well as the surface lifts and the ‘Easy Street’ and QC runs are a great place to master skills. Over in Hotham Central beginners can also ride The Summit Quad Chair or the Trainer Poma providing some excellent variety.

Heavenly Valley Chair leads to a number of ridge lines, bowls and chutes that offer opportunities to smash the speed laps. For those who love the bumps take the top of Milkyway to Black Snake where it gets steep and deep, here you can show off your mogul style for the crowds enjoying a coffee or a drink (and keeping score) at the bottom at Snake Gully Hutt.

The runs on the Blue Ribbon Chair are some of the best when powder drops as this area tends to collect the snow drifts in the trees and it can be enormously entertaining in ‘Wood Run’ or the ‘Hogs Back’ though the latter is often groomed.

So what is not to like, well it may sound picky but Mount Hotham can get very crowded when the snow cover is poor, as the main intermediate runs that have snow making all funnel back through slalom gully to the village chair. This tends to a mix of skiers some high speed bandits, other learners moving to intermediate all in a funnel which can quickly get covered in moguls, and then they all come around to the village chair which can get very long lift queues.

Secondly it is wise to have a weather plan for your travel – if a storm is rolling in the road up from Harrietville can become dangerous and is sometimes closed to traffic. So if the conditions dictate it, consider driving up via Omeo instead of Harrietville, it will take longer but you are much less likely to find the road closed due to the bad weather. There is nothing more frustrating than being stuck at the bottom of a mountain in your car because the road is too dangerous.

Village Facilities

In the Hotham Central you will find supermarkets, the medical centre, the information centre, the bus terminal, lift tickets and ski lessons as well as bars, restaurants and even a day spa.

At the Big D you will find The General which is a Restaurant, Bar, Cafe, Supermarket and Post Office always a good place to stop in for a drink or a bite or to pick up the milk!

You will find a range of shops for the essential ski gear upgrade or to pick up something you left at home and there are ski hire options in the Hotham Central complex, Hotham Heights and in Dinner Plain.

Where to Stay

With over 7000 beds available there is a range of accomodation from lodges with bunk rooms to swanky apartments and everything in between, there is something for everyone and every budget. You will find lodges and ski clubs, chalets, smart apartments, budget accomodation and just about everything in between.

Hotham Village / Central

Consider Zirkys or White Crystal for smart apartment accommodation in the centre of the action. Hotham Central is where the Village Chair and Summit Chair run from, it is the base for the intermediate and advanced ski school lessons too. Consider Lawlers apartments for good family value and there are plenty of other options such as Snowbird or Arlberg.

Hotham Heights / Jack Frost

Around Jack Frost are a number of lodges and ski club’s that offer very reasonable accomodation options snow permitting you can ski from here down the Davenport Access Track into Blue Ribbon and on to the Village Chair. Alternatively there is a regular free bus that will get you back to Big D or Hotham Central.

Dinner Plain

Dinner Plain is a great alternative to staying in Mount Hotham, it’s a bit further down the road but still above the snowline. Drive the 13 kilometres from Hotham Village and you will find an alpine town like no other with a range of chalet and apartment accomodation. You will also find the Dinner Plains Hotel and the High Plains Hotel which both offer accomodation, meals and have great bars. There is also the Onsen Retreat and Spa for those looking for a soak after a long day on the slopes.

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LINKS

• https://www.mthotham.com.au/
• https://www.thegeneral.com.au
• https://www.mthothamaccommodation.com.au
• https://www.hothamholidays.com.au
• https://zirkys.com.au
• https://www.visitdinnerplain.com.au

* There are two cafes out on the runs – Snake Gully Hut & Brockhoff Hutt each offering good lunch options if you don’t want to stop in the village. There are lots of options at the top of the lift!