Does Australia’s Powder Capital Deserve Its Title? Hotham Mountain Review

Situated atop some of Victoria's highest mountains, Hotham proudly holds the title of the state's powder capital and stands as the sole upside ski resort in the southern hemisphere. Perched along the Great Alpine Road at an elevation of 1,750m, the central village serves as a gateway to the resort, with 80% of its ski trails nestled in the valleys below. Hotham is home to an unconventional experience when it comes to ski resorts, where instead of boarding a chairlift at the base village, you park you car at the top of the resort and then drop into one of the many runs located below the village.But do these unique aspects make Hotham one of the best ski resorts in Australia? In this video we will go through a complete overview of Hotham and cover everything the resort zones, the lift system and the terrain, lift ticket pricing, lodging options and the resorts location. Hotham Resort Zones & Terrain: Although Hotham is a single ski resort, it can be effectively divided into separate zones, each offering its own unique experience. For beginners seeking gentle slopes, the summit of the resort and the dedicated beginner zone called "Big D" provide the ideal terrain. The central area of the resort caters to intermediate and advanced skiers, boasting a plethora of fantastic trails to explore. Additionally, tucked away in the far corners of the resort, you'll discover the Orchard, which boasts some of Australia's finest intermediate trails with jaw dropping views of Mt Feathertop and the surrounding alpine national park. Beginner: When considering an ideal destination for learning to ride, Hotham might not be the first place that comes to mind, as it primarily caters to intermediate to advanced riders. However, it does offer a few options for beginners to get started on their riding journey, along with an incredible ski school operation. Approximately 10% of the beginner terrain is concentrated in a dedicated area known as the Big D, which stands alone from the rest of the resort, this area is also where night skiing takes place as in available during the peak of the winter season. Additionally, beginners can find suitable terrain at the summit area of the resort, served by the summit quad and summit Poma lift. However, it's important to note that there are no beginner options available in the main part of the valley. Despite this, with the presence of the beginner zone and the support of the ski school, newcomers can still have a rewarding and enjoyable learning how to ride at Hotham.Intermediate: The resort truly comes alive for intermediate riders with blue runs constituting 40% of the overall resort experience. If you can confidently navigate a blue trail, Hotham becomes an absolute paradise, as it boasts numerous intermediate trails that lead into the main valleys of the resort.One of the highlights is the Australia drift, an excellent spot for taking laps, which is conveniently serviced by its own T-Bar lift. For those seeking continuous vertical, Varsity & Hogsback deliver 263 meters of thrilling descents, with the Blue Ribbon chair providing seamless access to non-stop laps when its running, sadly this chair is sometimes the last one to open and first one to close during the season. Venturing out to the far edges of the resort may take some effort, but the rewards are unparalleled. When the Orchard area is open, it unlocks the best intermediate terrain you can find in all of Australia, well in our opinion that is. With two lifts and eleven enticing intermediate trails, riders can spend hours our here in this zone zipping down impeccably groomed trails or riding among the iconic Australian gum trees.Advanced: Approximately 25% of the trails at Hotham cater to advanced riders, and when the resort experiences a good snowstorm and the blue ribbon chair is operational, the six advanced trails become unbeatable. These runs offer a challenging upper section that gradually eases into a somewhat gentler terrain in the lower parts. The Heavenly Valley chairlift is the epicentre of advanced riding at Hotham and possibly Australia. This chairlift services a remarkable collection of 17 advanced trails. Here, you'll discover everything you could wish for – from moguls, steeps, rock jumps to technical tree runs and a natural halfpipe. The Heavenly Valley chair operates from 7:30 am on Wednesdays through to Sundays (subject to conditions) and is often the busiest chairlift in the entire country, drawing riders from all around.Furthermore, scattered throughout the resort, you'll find a handful of other advanced runs that offer a challenge and these are handy when the lines at Heavenly Valley become more crowded.Expert: Fifteen percent of Hotham's terrain caters to experts, boasting the largest collection of expert trails in Australia, doubling what any other resort has to offer. Two main areas stand out as havens for expert riders.The first area, aptly named "Wall of Death," lies directly under the Village Chair. This area presents a challenging ride, demanding speed to surmount the second rise and avoid a hidden creek that could necessitate hiking out. Caution is crucial here, and following open and closed signs is advised, as there have been instances of avalanches in this section.The second and more extensive area is known as the "Extreme Zone," situated to the right side of the Gotcha chair. As you approach this zone, a steep gully is present leading down into the valley plus you are required to enter through designated gates – a unique feature for Australian ski resort. Among the best trails within this zone, "Gotcha Face" and "Mary's Slide" are our top picks. It's essential to note that this area is not conducive to lapping, exiting involves navigating a narrow trail above a creek. Only confident and skilled advanced riders should venture into this high risk high reward domain.Another expert trail, “One Tree Hill”, is less tracked out as it’s harder to get too. Accessing this trail involves an extensive traverse, which demands ample speed, especially challenging for snowboarders. However, the reward is well worth it – untouched snow and an expansive open bowl that sometimes remains pristine until after lunch.