Planning and preparation are the keys to having a safe and enjoyable winter holiday in the snow.

What to bring

When you pack your bags for this year's snow holiday don't forget to include:

• Boots with a bit of a tread!
• Waterproof pants and jacket
• Hat like a beanie or woollen one!
• Gloves
• Plenty of layers like t-shirts, skivvy, woolly jumper and underclothing
• Casual clothes for apres
• Sunscreen and lip balm
• Camera - the views are fantastic and you'll have to get a shot of you in the heart of the Victoria Alps.

Even on the shortest visit to the snow it is important to be fully prepared for and aware of the nature of the alpine environment.

When planning it is important to prepare your vehicle for a trip to the snow, organise your clothes and equipment, improve your fitness, organise lessons, take special care with children and arrange to leave details of your trip.

Watch the sun

In the Alps you can be exposed to strong direct sun and reflection from the snow, so you need to wear lots of sunscreen and protect your eyes from glare by always wearing sunglasses. The glare off the snow can be particularly strong and can lead to 'snow blindness' where your eyes will sting, show redness and possibly need medical attention.

Try before you buy

If you're new to the snow its best to rent your equipment before you buy. That way you can graduate to more advanced equipment as your skiing/boarding improves at an affordable rate. There are plenty of rental shops on the mountain so you can conveniently swap sizes and styles during your stay.

Driving and parking in the snow

Carry snowchains, it's a legal requirement. All vehicles entering the Alpine Road Reserve (base of mountain) must have snowchains for their tyres as a safety precaution and fit them where directed.

The Mt Hotham Snow Chain Service operates on the Harrietville side of the village and will fit your chains for you at the point where you are directed to fit them. The small fee that the guys charge is probably one of the best purchases of your snow holiday!!!

• Remember antifreeze in your radiator
• Leave your windscreen wipers up off the windscreen (avoids them freezing to the glass)
• Leave your handbrake OFF and your car in gear (avoids freezing the brake on).

For more detailed information on driving and parking in the snow go to Travel / Driving

Resort Entry Fee

A resort entry fee is applied to vehicles and passengers of coaches and taxis entering the resort during the declared snow season from Queens Birthday weekend in June to the first weekend in October. For further details go to Travel / Resort Entry

Getting to your accommodation

The village of Mt Hotham is a linear resort so it follows along the Great Alpine Road and almost all accommodation is within 50 -100 metres of the road. There are unloading zones along the road where you can stop, unpack your gear from the car and either walk the short distance or have your luggage transported by oversnow transport to your accommodation. Once you have dropped your gear into the lodge or perhaps as the rest of your group does that, you can park your car in the overnight car parks at the end of the village. The free village bus service will pick you up and drop you off at one of the 8 bus stops closest to your accommodation. Remember that the free village bus service operates daily from 7am until the wee hours of the night (1-3am depending on when the bars are closing!).

For information on all aspects of snow safety go to Information / Snow Safe