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4 surprising things you can do off the slopes at Hotham

On those days when you don't feel like hitting the slopes, there is still plenty to do at Hotham. 

By Anita Coia

1. Sleep in an igloo

If you think igloos only exist somehwere near the north pole, you’re sadly mistaken. Now, for the first time, you can enjoy a three course dinner and a cosy night's sleep in a Australia's first and only real snow Igloo village.

Alpine Nature Experience has established itself as the premier provider of outdoor luxury experiences at Hotham, and their new igloo village won’t leave you feeling the cold.

Alpine Nature Experience’s igloos are all furnished with a proper bed, -8° sleeping bags and faux fur blankets. Wake up to the smell of fresh coffee and a cooked breakfast and then, when you’ve enjoyed breakfast among the snowgums, finish the experience on a high with a scenic skimobile tour.

For more information call 0466 280 603 or book online at http://alpinenatureexperience.com.au/bookings/.

2. Snowshoe through the snowgums

Hotham boasts more than 35 kilometres of scenic groomed trails used by a variety of people including cross country skiers and showshoers. Being at the top of a mountain, it’s easy to strap on a pair of snowshoes and tour around appreciating the beauty of our high country away from the crowds.

Traverse Hotham runs late afternoon Sunset Snowshoe Experiences on Wednesdays and Saturdays out of Hotham Central.  The tours operate on and around Mt Higginbotham, a natural alpine oasis with magnificent 360 degree views right in the heart of Hotham. Bring your camera or just soak it up as the sky fills with colour.

They can also tailor snowshoe tours to your ability and in locations you’d like to see more of around Hotham and Dinner Plain.

Enquiries and bookings: 0422 580 479 or info@traversehotham.com.au

3. Have a BBQ in the snow

Just because it’s cold, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a steak or a snag in the great outdoors. And what better place to do it than in the stunning surrounds of Mt Hotham? All Terrain BBQ is kicking off in 2019 and are happy to host your event with their fully self-contained back-country BBQ trailer.

Whether it’s an engagement, wedding, birthday, or any event that would be even more memorable in our beautiful alpine environment, All Terrain BBQ has you covered. 

With an extensive menu catering for individual tastes, you can enjoy locally-sourced grilled meats with specially created marinades and sauces. The fresh, clean air can only help you work up an appetite.

All Terrain BBQ is fully licensed for private events and offers a range of beers, wines and spirits as well as non-alcoholic options.

Enquiries: grill@allterrainbbq.com.au or 0418 564 338.

4. Drink outside at a snow bar

Hotham’s Deck Party is an annual fixture in the local spring social calendar, and one of the highlights is the Snowbird’s ice-bar, right at the base of the Summit ski run. There’s no better place to put your cool on show than the coldest bar around.

This year though there will be another outdoor bar worth dropping into - but only if you are willing to ski, skin* or hike 1 kilometre to the secret location. The Backcountry Festival being hosted by Hotham in September is offering participants a unique experience of hiking to a bar through snow and a snowgum forest. (It's got to be better than walking through the winter rain to a Fitzroy bar, right?)

Deck Party details are to be announced closer to September, but the Backcountry Festival’s full program is available at https://backcountry-festival.com/. Registration for the festival is a very reasonable $10 and many activities are free.

*Climbing skins are strips that attach to the bottom of nordic, alpine touring or randonnée skis to help while ascending backcountry slopes. They are designed to be removed for skiing downhill.

Want to know more?

For more information on Hotham’s fantastic activities and events, check our website regularly!

 

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