Hands up those of you who spent last weekend steering clear of the cold weather? Watching reruns of Bewitched no doubt? Instead of avoiding the wintery conditions, why not embrace them with a trip to Mount Hotham?
The snow caped peak of Mount Hotham
A four and a half hour drive from Melbourne, its best to make the most of it by taking some annual leave, packing up the family and having a midyear holiday. Or, if you're so inclined, grab all of your mates and hit the road for a four day getaway.
Winding your way up the Great Alpine Road, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Mount Hotham and its neighbouring towns look more at home in Colorado or British Columbia. Sprawling forests, log cabins and snow covered roads set the North American-esque scene. Venture up with the family and there is a ton of stuff to do. Build snowmen, warm yourselves by the fire at one of the many cafés and restaurants or get a skiing or snowboarding lesson.
For those seeking something faster paced, grab your gear and hit the slopes straight away, then party the night away at Swindlers, Hotham's premier night spot. Lift passes vary in price depending on what package you get, but they range from $106 for a the pass only to $225 for an all-inclusive lift pass, lesson and equipment hire. There are even packages for beginners, starting at $94 for a one day lift pass and lesson. Entry to the resort is simple. Your entry permit is now purchased online, saving the hassle of waiting in traffic. Entry will set you back $39.50 per day for a regular passenger car.
You can stay on the mountain itself, with many serviced lodges and apartments in the heart of the resort. This can get pricey, however (
average rate of around $900 per night), but suitably affordable accommodation can be found in Harrietville (
a much more palatable average of $200 per night), only a 24 minute drive up the mountain.
The Chalets of Mount Hotham
Whichever way you do it, visiting Mount Hotham will make the colder months that bit more bearable. So grab your skis and hit the slope. Sounds a lot more appealing than TV, doesn't it?
