Mount Hotham Offers Winter Fun For Families With Young Kids and Those New to Snow
Hotham provides plenty of non-ski activities for families with young children or those new to snow, including designated snow play areas with moderate toboggan slopes – for instance at Wire Plain/Possum Flat bus stop 12, there’s even an off-slope play area and moderate toboggan run!
Children aged five or younger can rent child-specific snowmobiles designed to mimic snowboard stance riding experience.
Snowmobiling
No matter your skiing ability or experience level, snowmobiling is an exhilarating winter activity that’s both accessible and exciting. At Hotham you can rent snowmobiles from various suppliers or sign up for guided backcountry tours that will lead you across beautiful snowfields to spectacular views and unbelievable terrain for skiing or snowboarding.
If you’re in search of something truly unforgettable, night skiing at Hotham may just be what’s needed! Not only is this experience great fun for everyone in your family; but the lights of Hotham make for a magical night skiing adventure!
Renting a snow scooter at Mount Hotham is another fantastic way to enjoy exploring the snow, and learning to ride one is quite straightforward. A number of companies provide snow scooter hire at Hotham; look out for them near Big D chairlift or in Kids Snowzone for availability.
Hotham provides numerous cross country skiing trails for both beginner and advanced skiers to try, from Higgi Drive’s beginner loops all the way through Whitey’s and Wire Plain’s advanced tracks. To make sure that you experience all this has to offer, make an appointment in advance with the resort guest services or ski school and book one or both courses as soon as possible.
Tobogganing is an immensely enjoyable activity for children at the snow. It encourages their imaginations while building snowmen. There’s also Wire Plain’s snowplay park nearby (bus stop 12).
Alternately, take a snowmobile sled tour. This activity is suitable for all ages and allows you to experience some of the breathtaking backcountry terrain at the ski resort. There are various tours available from quick 10-minute journeys up to half-day adventures.
Dinner Plain, located about 10 minutes’ drive away, provides many activities and restaurants, snowshoe treks to Alpine Nature Experience’s stunning eco village, cozy tipis/igloos with warm drinks like gluhwein or other warming beverages, as well as delectable meals to complete the experience.
Dog Sledding
Adopting and becoming acquainted with huskies can be a thrilling and memorable experience, not only because their cute and affectionate appearance, but also due to the sound of their lightweight padding on snow and heavy breathing is music to the ears. Dog sled tours can be both exciting and relaxing – an adrenaline rush for some but a relaxing and peaceful activity for others alike – this activity provides the chance to appreciate both mountains, stunning landscapes, as well as wildlife while being pulled along by these remarkable dogs!
Howling Husky have been running sled dog adventures across Australia for six years and offer a unique Mt Hotham dog sledding experience located near Wire Plain (bus stop 12) of the village – making for an amazing activity that the whole family will enjoy!
Experienced guides lead a 2-kilometer wind-protected track through snowgums and into the backcountry on their 2km wind-protected sled teams of 10 huskies each with specific roles and responsibilities: wheel dogs provide strength for climbing hills while swing dogs steer and provide horsepower; in addition, leaders manage the pack.
For an interactive and personalized tour experience, they also offer the drive your own sled option, whereby you can learn to operate the sled yourself and gain tips on handling and training the dogs.
Mt Hotham Snow Play activities provide plenty of ways for visitors to keep themselves engaged during peak season, from snowmobile rides for kids, tubing sessions, night skiing and much more. And when it’s time to unwind after all this activity, luxurious spa retreats or lodges provide great places for restful retreat. Plus Alpine Nature Experience overnight experiences give the opportunity to reconnect with nature – ideal opportunities to share quality time with family or friends!
Snowscooters
Snowscooters provide families with young children the perfect way to experience snow without getting their feet wet – these fun machines are easy to operate and available for hire at Snowplay Park (Bus Stop 12).
Dinner Plain’s sheltered slope is ideal for children of all ages and offers toboggan and snow play rental services. For an additional thrill ride, Cresta Valley boasts an enormous range of terrain suitable for beginners as well.
SnowStuff Park also offers guided backcountry sled tours as an enjoyable and engaging way to experience mountain landscapes from a different viewpoint. These sleds can accommodate four people aged five years or above on each ride towed by snowmobile.
Make memories you won’t soon forget with Alpine Nature Experience near Wire Plain Snow Park. Experienced guides teach guests about the region’s flora and fauna while they take scenic snowshoe walks through picturesque scenery, culminating with an evening filled with mulled wine tasting and cheese fondue in their gorgeous eco-village.
Hotham provides group and private ski/snowboard lessons to suit people of all ages and abilities, with small class sizes giving lots of one-on-one time with an instructor. You can book your ski or snowboard lesson online, or speak with one of their friendly staff at Hotham Central to secure one today!
Hoys at Jack Frost is an expansive shop offering legendary quality equipment and service, conveniently situated on Davenport Drive within the Lodges precinct of Melbourne. Their team will assist in selecting the appropriate gear for any time on the mountain – be it downhill action or cross country trails. Furthermore, they have beanies, gloves, goggles socks and helmets available so as to stay warm and dry during your outings.
Backcountry Sled Tours
Hotham is an amazing paradise for skiers and snowboarders, boasting excellent backcountry and side country terrain that rivals overseas big mountain slopes. Explore this remarkable area on one of their backcountry tours that take you along scenic journeys; some are tailored towards beginners while others offer experienced skiers or snowboarders the challenge they seek.
Hitting the snow with a dog sled can be an exhilarating and unforgettable experience, especially for kids. Numerous companies provide dog sled tours at Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain with options that range from short snow dashes to family friendly adventures winding through wilderness trails. In addition, experience the excitement of an exciting huskie race at the annual Dinner Plain Dog Sled Sprint with two-dog to eight-dog teams competing over two days for fastest time.
Though there are no dedicated tobogganing areas at Hotham Village and Resort, taking a short free bus ride from the ski centre to Wire Plain/Possum Flat (bus stop 12) will bring you to a dedicated snow play area which provides safe snow play experiences for children of all ages – featuring a moderate toboggan slope as well as ample space to build snowmen or women of your own!
Skiers or boarders looking for another way to experience stunning alpine scenery should try snowshoe touring as an alternative. Cross country trails make ideal destinations, and Hoys offers snowshoe rentals that can be hired. Both experienced and novice snowshoers alike can benefit from snowshoe tours on these X country trails; just make sure not to walk on skiers’ trails, otherwise they might give a warning! If this does happen though, just avoid walking over their smooth corduroy grooming; skiers would rather leave it undisturbed.
Alaska Backcountry Adventures offer guided backcountry tours for an exciting snowshoeing experience. Their tours provide the ideal way to discover Mt Hotham’s incredible mountain landscape while learning new techniques – you may find yourself having to pierce through powder or make tight turns off-trail.