Hotham

Hotham ski resort, also known as Mount Hotham, is a popular ski resort located in the Australian Alps, in the state of Victoria, Australia. It is situated at an altitude of 1,750 meters above sea level and is one of the highest ski resorts in Australia. Hotham is the only upside-down ski resort in the southern hemisphere where the village is located at the top of the ski resort and riders start their day dropping into their favourite ski trail rather that riding on a chairlift. This makes powder days more enjoyable as you can hunt fresh turns first thing rather than waiting in a chairlift line.  

The ski resort features over 320 hectares of skiable terrain, with a range of ski runs suitable for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, from beginner to advanced. It also has a vertical drop of 395 meters, 13 ski lifts, and more than 80 kilometres of cross-country skiing trails.

Hotham is renowned for its high-quality snow, which is known to be light and dry, and for its stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The ski season at Hotham typically runs from June to October, with the peak season being July and August. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Hotham also offers a range of other winter activities, such as snowshoeing, tobogganing, and snowmobiling. There are also several accommodation options, including hotels, lodges, and apartments, as well as a variety of restaurants, bars, and shops. Overall, Hotham ski resort is a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts looking for a high-quality ski experience in a beautiful alpine setting.

Hotham Snowcam & Live Snow Cam

Stay up to date with the snow conditions from every corner of Hotham ski resort. We have collected all the best views from the Hotham snowcam so you can see what the conditions are like from all around the resort. 

If you want to check out the snow depth from the latest storm, see if the sun is going to be shining or check out the weather before your next visit - check out the Hotham snowcam below.

Hotham Lift System

Hotham doesn’t have the newest lift system but it gets everyone everywhere when it needs to. Spreading out wide around the resort each chair is perfectly placed. Hotham’s benefit is that you drop in from the village or parking so no need to start your day waiting in lines.

Hotham Resort Mountain Stats

Hotham Terrain Parks

Hotham riders don’t really come for the terrain parks considering the whole resort offers natural features but to ensure they keep the offerings open to everyone they put together quite an impressive park to the right side of The Summit quad chair. This is officially Australia’s highest terrain park and that means the snow quality remains high well into the spring season. The park crew at Hotham do an amazing job at putting this park together which becomes a bit of an Instagram hotspot during the season.   

Hotham Snow

This unique alpine region and the faces of the resort allow Hotham to catch the storms and hold them for some time, this creates more powder which is what the resort is known for. 

With and average cumulative snowfall of around 4m and an average season depth of 1.5m in the peak of winter (August) Hotham is a top-notch winter destination. With some storms providing single day dumps over 50cms of fluffy snow and when a storm hangs around it can leave over a metre of snow which creates consistent powder refills for anyone who gets out there with the early running of Heavenly Chair.

With sometimes a few weeks between good storms the snowmaking system keeps the base topped up, this is manicured by the exceptional grooming team who ensure the resort of well covered. There is always plenty of the good stuff to see most of Hotham open well into the September school holidays in spring.

Where is Hotham

Hotham is situated high in the Victorian high country and alpine region and most easily accessed by car. Hotham is about 4.5 hours’ drive from Melbourne or 7.5 hours’ drive from Sydney. 

Access to the resort is on the great alpine road and there is no need to purchase resort entry if you are making your way through and past the resort, however if you are going Hotham and making use of their parking or staying for a holiday you will need to purchase resort entry. Parking overnight is only allowed in dedicated areas to ensure the roads are open for snow clearing machinery.

Hotham is the only Australian resort to offer an airport, so we ask ourselves why drive when you can fly?

Hotham is accessible from airports in both Victoria and NSW, with an approximate flight time of 45 minutes from Lilydale, Essendon, or Moorabbin airports, 30 minutes from Albury and Canberra, and 50 minutes from Sydney. A number of charter companies operate out of the Hotham airport. 

Local govt regulation requires all visitors into the alpine regions to carry snow chains which fit your vehicle. On the approach to the resort from both sides you will meet the snowline and the Hotham resort staff will be advising when to fit snow chains to your vehicle in the dedicated snow chain bays.

The closest towns to Hotham are Dinner Plain and Bright, both are incredible local Victorian towns and offer a cheaper option to stay for those not looking to stay in the Hotham village.

Hotham Snow News