Don’t be fooled into thinking that the APEA lodge is just for skiers. Mount Hotham offers a huge range of activities in Winter, which will add to your enjoyment and ensure your trip is memorable. Here is APEA’s selection of best Winter activities on the mountain;
Snow Sports
Cross Country Skiing
Like the idea of breathtaking views and tranquil surrounds… but still enjoy a challenge? Then cross country skiing is a great scene to get into. Hotham won’t disappoint – whatever your ability. First of all, you’ll never be short on choice. With over 35 km of trails, you can take your pick of circuits – from 2 km to 15 km. Some trails start straight from the village. Or take the free village shuttle bus to Wire Plain (the starting point for most cross-country circuits up here). And if you enjoy group events, there’s always something happening throughout the seasons.
Snowboarding
Hotham is a little piece of heaven on earth…. well, that’s what some of Australia’s best free ride boarders think! And when you see the terrain, you’ll understand why. Gullies, bowls, hits, berms, lips and open stashes – 100% natural …… 100% awesome fun…..and right across the resort.
And pipes? Sure! We have fantastic pipe conditions, thanks to the Snowturbo Integra Super Pipe Grinder, the grinder of choice for the Salt Lake City games.
Down Hill Skiing
For the Beginner- Take your time on the gentle slopes of “the Summit,” or the “Big D” playground. Or if you are of Intermediate ability, Challenge yourself a bit more. “The Orchard” is a carver’s delight and “Imagine” offers top to bottom cruising on groomed slopes. Or if you want the ultimate, head for chutes and steeps around “Mary’s Slide”. “Blue Ribbon”. and “Heavenly Valley” which has some thrilling black diamond challenges.
Heli-Link to Falls Creek
Want double the slopes? Cruise over to Falls Creek aboard the HeliLink and in just 6 minutes you can be riding a whole new resort on the same lift pass. That’s a whole new resort to ride and explore! Flights depart in the morning and return 4 hours later. The cost is $130 per person return (Lift ticket not included) and is subject to weather conditions. Bookings are essential, so visit Guest Services at Hotham Central or phone (03) 5759 4470. HeliLink flights are available whenever you see the helicopter flying from the helipad beside Zirky’s.
Night Skiing
When the sun goes down the skiing and boarding doesn’t have to stop. Enjoy the snow under lights at the Big D on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Tickets are $9 for the night and are available from all Ticket outlets. No bookings are required just show up on the night, purchase your night skiing pass, click into your skis or board and go! Don’t forget Hero Pass holders can participate in night skiing at Hotham for free!
Supervised teen night skiing
Supervised teen night skiing sessions are a great way for 6 to 14 year olds to continue learning in a fun and safe environment. Cruise around the Big D with a group of friends and a Hotham snowsports staff member on Wednesday and Saturday evenings from 7pm to 9pm. Supervised sessions are $25 per child including a night skiing lift pass. A minimum of 4 participants is required.
As always, these events are subject to snow and weather conditions. For more information on night skiing, visit the friendly Guest Services team in Hotham Central or phone 03 5759 4470.
Tobogganing
For some fun for all the family, Toboganning is a easy and fun way to experience the snow! Looking for a bit of fun other than skiing and snowboarding for all the family ? Then tobogganing is the answer. Toboggans are available for hire from Hotham Sports in Hotham Central, Jack Frost and Harrietville and at Pinnacle DP in Dinner Plain. Also at Hoys in the Corral Day Carpark, Harrietville, Jack Frost and Dinner Plain. (Note that toboggans are prohibited on all Hotham lifted terrain, but the resort has a designated toboganning area and a snowplay area.)
- Hotham – Hotham’s dedicated snowplay area is located beside Hotham’s Corral Day Carpark. Access is free.
- Dinner Plain – The toboggan run is on the left of the Cobungra Platter run in Dinner Plain called ‘The Peashooter’. Access is free.
Safety – Tobogganing can be dangerous and like all alpine activities involves inherent risks. For your safety please obey all signage when tobogganing. The toboggan slope may be closed due to insufficient snow depth or inclement weather.
Kids snowmobiling
Give your kids the ultimate thrill as they zoom around on the snow on a mini snowmobile, and best of all no licence required! The Kids Snowmobiling is fully supervised and stacks of fun, and operates daily when weather permits. You can find this at the top of the Big D chairlift. Rides cost about $15 per child for 15 minutes, and you must purchase tickets at the Big D Tickets Office at the Kids Snowzone. Please note that this is for children under 14 years only. For more information visit our friendly Guest Services team in Hotham Central or phone (03) 5759 4470.
Sight Seeing
Snow Grooming tours
Climb aboard a heated Kassbohrer and watch our grooming gurus in action. Get a whole new view on the resort while you discover the science behind achieving perfectly groomed corduroy slopes. The price is
$35 per person and tours run every day except for Friday and Sunday. Each tour lasts for 30 minutes, with a maximum of 1 person per tour. There are 3 tours per night, starting from 5:30pm. For bookings, contact Guest Services at Hotham Central or call 03 5759 4470.
Fireworks
Watch as the winter night ski lights up during the highest fireworks display in Australia. For times and dates, contact Guest Services at Hotham Central or call 03 5759 4470.
Sparkling Sunset tours
Enjoy the Hotham sunset from the summit! Guests ride in a comfortable, heated, purpose built cabin on the back of a Kassbohrer (snow grooming machine) up to the summit of Mt Hotham. From there you get to experience the majestic view at 1861m above sea level. See Crosscut Saw National Park, Mt Buller, Mt Stirling, Mt Feathertop, the Bogong High Plains and on a clear afternoon, Mt Kosciuszko in NSW. Enjoy gourmet nibbles, Brown Brothers wines and James Boag Beer. Tours run 7 days per week (weather dependent) and cost $45 per person or $15 if you are under 18 years of age . Tours depart at 4.45pm sharp and returns 6.30pm. Tours are for up to 8 people per tour . For bookings, contact Guest Services at Hotham Central or phone 03 5759 4470.
Snowshoe Tours
Join a guided tour and explore the snowgum forest of Dinner Plain with “Altitude Snowshoe Tours”. The price includes 1.5 – 2 hour tour and 24 hour hire of snowshoes and costs approximates $50 per person. To make a booking phone (03) 5159 6608
Sled Dog Tours
There’s no better way to experience the snow than in a sled led by Husky Dogs. Run by Australian Sled Dog Tours, this company operates on average 5-6 tours each day for five days of the week throughout Winter (snow dependent). Tours cater to one adult or two children covering approx 3-4km per tour. The organisers hope to give a smile to the adventurous rider seeking a safe but short winter journey that is filled with tradition, wonder and education. This is a ride you will never forget!
Australian Sled Dog Tours is a small business with six Siberian Husky sled dogs and one full-time driver. They are extremely eager to do everything they can to make your sled dog tour one to remember. Prices are $115 per adult and $65 per child, and the starts from Crisps Hut next to the Dinner Plain Playground (park in day carpark or get off at first bus stop), and tours around Dinner Plain and Fitzy’s Circus. The tour will include an informative session on the tradition of sled dog racing and its history in Australia.
Bookings: 03 5756 2767, 0418 230 982 or email sleddogtours@bigpond.com or for more information visit www.sleddogtours.com.au
Scenic Flights
If you simply feel like taking in the majestic views at your leisure, scenic helicopter flights are for you. The journey will take in some of the highest peaks in Australia, including Mt Feathertop and Mt Bogong, the two tallest mountains in Victoria. Simply stunning! Scenic Helicopter flights are available whenever you see the helicopter flying from the helipad beside Zirky’s. Costs are $99 per person and tours last between 6-10 minutes. Flights are available for mid morning and mid afternoon, subject of coarse to weather conditions. Bookings are essential, so visit Guest Services at Hotham Central or phone (03) 5759 4470.
Relaxing
Spas
Need a massage after a long day on the slopes or just looking to treat yourself? Take some time out at
one of our high quality spas located on-mountain at Hotham and in Dinner Plain village.
- White Spa – Hotham Central
Phone:03 5759 4488, Website:www.whitespahotham.com.au - Onsen Retreat and Spa – Dinner Plain
Phone: (03) 5150 8880, Website: www.onsen.com.au
Fine Dining
Most people don’t often associate the snow fields with fine dining, but at Mount Hotham it is an experience you don’t want to miss. Attentive service and fine cuisine in special surrounds, Mount Hotham’s suite of fine dining establishments have come of age in recent years. You can now experience the type of food and service that will rival any of the best restaurants in Australia when you are on the mountain. Hotham’s best restaurants offer imaginative cuisine with first-class service. As always, book ahead to avoid disappointment.
- Graze @ Rundells – Dinner Plain
Phone: (03) 5159 6422, Email info@rundells.com.au, Website: www.rundells.com.au - Tsubo – Dinner Plain
Phone (03) 5159 6622 or 0432 354 619, Email: tsubodp@yahoo.com.au - The White Room – Hotham
Website: www.whiteroomrb.com.au - Zirky’s – Hotham
Phone: (03) 5759 3989
Bars and Pubs
- Avalanche Bar – Arlberg
Phone: 03 5986 8200 - Chill Bar and Cafe – Hotham Central Building
Phone: 03 5759 3313 - The General – Big D
Phone 03 5759 3523 - Jack Frost Bar and Restaurant
Phone 03 5759 3586, Email jackfrost@1stresort.com.au - Last Run Bar
Phone: 03 5759 3796 - Summit Bar and Cafe – Snowbird Inn.
Phone: 03 5759 3503, Website: www.snowbirdinn.com.au - Swindlers – Hotham Central
Phone: 03 5759 3436 - The White Room – Hotham Central
Website: www.whiteroomrb.com.au - Zirky’s Bar & Bistro
- Cilantro – Dinner Plain
Phone 03 5159 6799. - Dinner Plain Hotel – Dinner Plain
- Rundells Bar & Paddock – Dinner Plain
Phone: 03 5159 6422, Website: http://www.rundells.com.au
Cafes
If you would rather be spending more time on the slopes, and are only after a quick snack or are just after something light, both Hotham and Dinner Plain have a range of warm cafes to suit all tastes.
- Arlberg Café
Phone: (03) 5759 3167 Email: james@arlbergsupie.com.au - Cafe Niche – Hotham Central
Phone: (03) 5759 3313 - Chill Bar and Cafe – Hotham Central
Phone: 03 5759 3313 - Hot Doggies – Hotham Central
Phone: 03 5759 3232 - Isobar – Big D
Phone: (03) 5759 3437 - Snake Gully Hut – Bottom of the Heavenly Valley Chairlift.
Phone (03) 5759 3264 - Summit Cafe and Bar – Snowbird Inn
Phone: (03) 5759 3503 Website: www.snowbirdinn.com.au - Z Cafe at Zirky’s
Phone (03) 5759 3518 - Brandy Creek Cafe – Dinner Plain
Phone: (03) 5159 6488 - Mountain Kitchen – Dinner Plain
Phone: (03) 5159 6560 Email: eat@mountainkitchen.com.au Website: www.mountainkitchen.com.au