Hotham, Victoria, Australia

About Hotham

Hotham is the highest snow resort in Victoria and is unique in the fact that the village is on top of the mountain, right at the crest of the Great Alpine Road. Affectionately known as the 'Powder Capital', Hotham has 13 lifts and over 80 downhill runs, 80% of them classified as intermediate or advanced. Moreover, the 320 hectares of terrain is extremely diverse, with a large range of bowls, steeps, gullies and tree-lined glades to choose from. Hotham is also the only snow resort in Australia with its own airport, located just 20 kilometres from the slopes.

In June 2005 the master plan for New Hotham was launched, a $500 million redevelopment of the resort encompassing a sophisticated and luxurious destination with first class amenities for all visitors. Snowmaking capacity will be doubled and a true village atmosphere will be created. With its unparalleled natural assets for great snow coupled with its exciting plans for a new found future, Hotham is the place to be when the snow starts falling.

Hotham Maps & Resources

• Hotham Trail Map [Click Here]
• Hotham Village Map [Click Here]

Getting to Hotham

Flying to Hotham. Give yourself more time on the slopes and spend less time travelling. QantasLink flys direct to Hotham from Sydney and Melbourne making for easy connections from all capital cities. The convenience and ease of flying in to Australia's powder capital is unparalleled. The journey takes 45 minutes from Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne and 80 minutes from Mascot airport in Sydney.

Commercial flights will commence on June 25, 2006. There will be up to 9 flights from Sydney per week and 2 from Melbourne. A Dash 8 36-seat Turbo prop aircraft will fly you to Hotham in comfort. The Airport is located just 20 kilometres from Hotham and 10 kilometres from Dinner Plain. Transfers from Hotham Airport to your accommodation will be provided by luxury coaches or your own private 4WD if you prefer.  

For further information on flying to Hotham Airport, simply call Hotham Holidays on 1800 hotham (468 426).

Thinking About Driving? Hotham is located at the crest of the Great Alpine Road, the highest bitumen road in Australia. By road the resort is 357 kms from Melbourne, 746 kms from Sydney and 882 kms from Adelaide.

Driving From Melbourne.  1. Take the Hume Hwy to Wangaratta then the Great Alpine Road direct to Hotham, or the Snow Road via Milawa & Oxley to Myrtleford & Hotham. Travel time around 4.5 hours. 2. Take the Princes Hwy to Bairnsdale, then the Great Alpine Road direct to Mount Hotham. Travel time around 5 hours.

Driving From Sydney.  Take the Hume Hwy to Albury-Wodonga and follow the snow signs to Yackandandah then turn off to Myrtleford. At Myrtleford turn onto the Great Alpine Road to Bright then Harrietville and Hotham. Travel time around 9 hours.

Driving From Adelaide.  Take the Mallee Highway to Ouyen, connect to the Murray Valley Highway to Swan Hill, the Midland Highway to Shepparton, then take the Hume Highway to Wangaratta, followed by the Great Alpine Road direct to Hotham. Travel time around 12 hours.

Catching a Coach...

Melbourne - Hotham.  Trekset's Snowball Express departs from Franklin Street Bus Terminal daily, stopping at Melbourne Airport right outside the Virgin Blue arrivals area before heading up to Hotham. Travel time is approximately 5.5 hours. Return Cost - Adult $140, Children under 15 $90, family deal (2 adults and 2 children) $370. One Way Cost - Adult $90, Children under 15 $65. Bookings online at www.snowballexpress.com.au  More information - Treksets Snowball Express 1300 656 546. 

Myrtleford or Bright - Hotham.  Throughout the season Trekset Coaches have a daily service from Myrtleford and Bright up to the mountain. 
Return Cost - Adult $42, Children under 15 $30, family deal (2 adults and 2 kids) $115. Single Cost - Adult $30, Children under 15 $25
Departure points, times and other information - Trekset Coaches 1300 656 546 www.snowballexpress.com.au

Omeo - Hotham.   O'Connell's Bus Service offer a charter bus and taxi service from Omeo to Dinner Plain and Hotham. Free parking is available in Omeo.  Call (03) 5159 1377 or e-mail omeobus@bigpond.com  

Catching a Train...

Melbourne - Wangaratta.  V-Line operate services daily ex Spencer Street to Wangaratta. Return Cost - Adult $71.60, Concession Cards 35.80, child under 14 when accompanied by an adult $6.  More information - V-Line 13 61 96

Sydney - Wangaratta. Countrylink operate daily services from Central Station in Sydney to Wangaratta. Return Cost Economy - Adult $189.20, concession Cards $94.60. Return Cost 1st Class - Adult $266.20, Concession Cards $134.20.

The Terrain at Hotham

Look no further than Hotham for the widest range of terrain diversity in the country.

Never been to the snow before? Hotham's range of easy, walk-on beginner slopes are sure to get you off the right foot. A burgeoning intermediate? Hotham has a massive range of fantastic intermediate terrain, whether it be the cruisy tree-lined runs at Blue Ribbon, the divine pitch at Heavenly Valley or the uncluttered glades at The Orchard. Advanced or expert? Hotham's range of double-black diamond runs will get any heart pumping full of adrenalin, not to mention Hotham's range of back country terrain, now made more easily accessible with new Kat Skiing Adventures.

Renting & Retail Gear

When planning your Hotham snow holiday you have a stack of options as far as gear. Ski's, boots, boards, poles and clothing can be hired (or bought) on the mountain at Hotham from a number of stores such as Hotham Equipe. The advantage of getting gear up at the resort is not having to pack it into the car or bus and that you can often change it or have it adjusted during your stay if required.

Gear can also be picked up (again hire or buy) in Bright and Harrietville which are the two towns at the foot of Hotham and the last towns before you make the final climb up to the ski resort. The advantage to many people of getting gear in Bright / Harrietville is that you can also hire tire chains their (must be carried by law up to Hotham).

The final alternative for many people is your local ski shop back home whether you are coming from Melbourne or Sydney or from one of the many regional towns around the country that have ski hire shops (mostly they're the ones within a couple of hundred km's of the resorts such as Albury, Wangarratta, Myrtleford).

Hotham Snow Sports School

All adult lessons (for people aged 15 or above) start from outside Hotham Central. Kids Snowzone lessons (for little ones aged 3 to 14) are held at the Big D.

From first timers to seasoned experts, Hotham's Snowsports Centre has the experience and expertise to take your skiing and snowboarding to where you want it to be. A range of group lessons, specially harnessed technique workshops and private lessons cater to all standards. The Snowsports Centre's focus is on encouraging its particpants through patient, dedicated and intuitive coaching that will bring out the best in one and all.  

Children. The Kids Zone at the Big D is where all lessons occur for skiers and boarders aged under 15.  

Adults. Lesson Meeting Places and Times.  Classes meet out the front of Hotham Central at 9:55am & 1:25pm. Please try to be at the meeting place 5 - 10 minutes prior to the lesson to allow enough time for the supervisors to put you into the correct class level.

Private Lessons. If you want to improve fast or start off firmly, a private lesson is the way to go. The best thing about private lessons is that an instructor has the time to cater to your specific needs and goals, and to spend time focussing on specific areas of your technique. Our personalised lessons with an instructor of your choice will have you skiing or boarding on your own with a new found confidence and feeling of achievement.

Private lessons can vary from 60 minutes to all day, and specific instructor requests are available. Half or full day privates can include up to 6 participants, which is great for you, your family and your friends.

First Timers.  Keep in mind that when you first clip into your skis or boots and fall to the ground our instructors were once there as well! Our team understand what it's like to be extremely new in a snowsport.  However Hotham's team of patient instructors will have you successfully conquering your first ever ski slope in no time. The feeling of achievement will be unparalleled (even though your skis probably will be as well!).

First Timers Learn to Ski or Board.  Competitively priced and conveniently packaged, this program is designed for those who have never set foot on the snow before. It ranges from a one to five day package and includes a comprehensive two hour beginner lesson along with access to Hotham's beginner areas (the Summit Trainer and Quad and the Big D Trainer and Quad). The program involves progressive stages where you start off with first timer lessons and then progress to more advanced terrain and learning techniques. The product is also available as a two day package for those staying for the weekend. It is available all season.

Beginners.  Have you skied or boarded a couple of times, but feel like you are very much struggling with your confidence? Do you feel comfortable with green runs but are a little apprehensive when it comes to blue runs? Hotham's Snowsports Centre aims to provide a comprehensive range of ski and boarding programs for beginners of all ages. Our dedicated team of professional instructors from around the globe will ensure that you reach your personal goals and most importantly, have fun!  

Intermediates/Advanced.   For those who might just need a little boost with their style or to help you take on the Extreme Skiing Zone, Hotham's Snowsports Centre can help.  

Afternoon Extreme Workshops. Afternoon Extreme workshops are held from 1.25pm to 3.30pm every afternoon (meet at Hotham Central). With off-piste, powder and bump sessions included, you can really learn how to make the mountain your own. Park and pipe workshops are also available for snowboarders.  

5 Day Specialist Workshops.  There are two exquisite programs on offer - Mountain Masters and L'Oreal Visible Results.

The Hotham Village

Along with Hotham's exquisite range of snowsports terrain, the village has a massive array of restaurants, bars, nightclubs and accommodation options to suit a huge range of budgets. As a first class resort, groups both small and large can be catered to, and the range of facilities at Hotham are second to none.

Staying at Mount Hotham is a unique alpine experience due to the location of the village toward the summit of the mountain. Most of the accommodation boasts spectacular views from the sweeping Dargo High Plains to the south-west and Mount Feathertop to the north-east. Ski in/ski out accommodation is available in one of the Hotham Heights houses whilst ski-out accommodation is available in the Davenport Village which also provides excellent access to the Big D and beginner ski areas. The village also boasts a childcare centre, supermarkets, shopping options and all the other amenities you would expect of a modern ski resort.

Hotham Photo Gallery

 To check out the 'Hotham Photo Gallery' on SnowFlirt.com "Click Here"

Lift Ticket Prices 2007

 Lift Only Tickets - Lift Only Tickets include all day access to all operating lifts.

Consecutive Days	Adult	Youth	Child
1/2 Day	72	61	36
1 Day	90	77	45
2 Day	180	153	90
3 Day	262	223	131
4 Day	338	288	169
5 Day	410	348	205
6 Day	476	404	238
7 Day	536	455	268

Lift Pass & Rental Packages - Rental is provided by Hotham Equipe.

Consecutive Days	Adult	Youth	Child
1/2 Day	117	106	66
1 Day	145	132	85
2 Day	275	248	155
3 Day	397	358	221
4 Day	483	433	269
5 Day	565	503	315
6 Day	641	569	358
7 Day	711	630	398

Lift Pass & Lesson Packages - Lesson is provided by Hotham Snow Sports School.

Consecutive Days	Adult	Youth	Child
1 Day	136	115	92
2 Day	263	224	179
3 Day	375	319	256
4 Day	474	403	325
5 Day	561	476	387
6 Day	636	539	441

Lift Pass, Lesson & Rental Packages - Rental is provided by Hotham Equipe.

Consecutive Days	Adult	Youth	Child
1 Day	185	165	128
2 Day	347	309	236
3 Day	495	440	335
4 Day	600	531	412
5 Day	694	613	482
6 Day	777	683	544

All prices above in Australian Dollars and include GST. Specific pricing 'Terms & Conditions' apply, please check out these terms at http://www.hotham.com.au/index.php?pid=288.

Hotham Holidays

To find out more about  Hotham products, activities or services, or to book your snow holiday with one easy phone call, simply free call Hotham Holidays on 1800 468 426.

 Contact Hotham

• Hotham Website http://www.hotham.com.au/
• Hotham Holidays Phone 1800 468 426