Besides skiing and snowboarding at the resort, there are various Mt Hotham activities on offer in winter. Some of the Mt Hotham things to do are based at Wire Plain, just a little down the road from the Hotham village (bus stop 12), and there are also a few activities based in Dinner Plain.

Ski Activities Hotham

If you want to head from Hotham over to Falls Creek for the day, Alpine Helicopters offer helicopter shuttles, which is a fast and very scenic way to travel to Falls Creek. As to be expected, the helicopter only operates on fine days, and it’s only for day trippers (ie no luggage allowed).

Cross country skiing is a reasonably popular Mt Hotham activity, and there are no trail fees because the grooming is covered by the resort entry fees. Hotham and Dinner Plain have 35km of Nordic ski trails. A blue trail starts at Big D at Hotham, although it’s possible to ski from Hotham Central along Higgi Drive to the official start the X country trails. Or if you only want to ski beginners’ trails you can catch the free bus down to Whitey’s or Wire Plain where various loops start. The most popular Nordic route is the trail between Hotham and Dinner Plain which is approximately 10km one-way and mostly intermediate rated with a couple of short black pitches. You can catch a bus between Dinner and Hotham (for a fee) if you only want to ski one way. Or our favourite Hotham cross country trail is the very scenic Loch groomed track that heads from the Loch car park up to the top of the Orchard chair lift, and from there you can head off-piste up to the top of Mt Loch. You can rent cross country equipment from one of the Hoy’s shops, and lessons are available too.

You can also go snowshoeing on the X country trails (equipment hire available at Hoys), but don’t walk on them or you may be greeted with steely glares from skiers who like the smooth corduroy grooming on the trails rather than deep bumpy foot prints.

Mt Hotham is well renowned for the fabulous backcountry and sidecountry terrain, some of which rivals overseas big mountain terrain, albeit with shorter vertical. When the snow conditions are primo, the Hotham backcountry is marvellous. Hotham backcountry tours are available as introductory tours for those new to the backcountry, or there are private customised tours for more experienced riders.

Backcountry Sled Tours

This is a very enjoyable Mt Hotham winter activity, but backcountry powder hounds stop salivating! This is not sled accessed backcountry skiing to chase powder, but rather the SnowStuff backcountry sled tours are a very lovely leisurely way to explore the scenery around the Hotham area from the comfort of a sled that is towed by a snowmobile and accommodates four people (ages 5+).

Your driver takes you from the General Store (bus stop 6) along tracks to Wire Plain and then onto tree lined groomed trails on the top of Possum Flat where you’ll get some great photo opportunities. Tours are 30-45 minutes in duration, or there is the option of a 1.5 hour lunch tour, or a sunset tour where nibbles and champagne are included whilst you take in the alpenglow views of some of the mountains surrounding Hotham.

Or if you really want to get into the backcountry and enjoy the alpine magnificence of Hotham without having to ski tour/split board there, SnowStuff offers longer Derrick’s hut tours that depart from the Loch car park and include a cooked lunch. Considering the tours head into the very scenic alpine and sub-alpine areas, the tours are highly weather dependent as well as snow cover dependent.

Family Activities Mt Hotham: Possum Flat

Mt Hotham has some reasonably steep slopes and there are no areas around the Hotham village or ski area that are suitable for tobogganing, yet just a short free bus ride away at Wire Plain/Possum Flat (bus stop 12) there’s a dedicated and safe snow play area that’s rather sheltered. The Possum Flat area has a toboggan slope, or you can just enjoy playing in the snow and make a snowman or snowperson (for those that are very PC!).

SnowStuff Snow Play Park is based at Possum Flat and they offer kids snowmobiling, with child-specific snowmobiles for children over 5 years of age and under 50kg. The kids will love “hooning” around on the little snowmobile track. No Dad you can’t have a go!

Dog Sledding Mt Hotham

One of the most popular Mt Hotham activities is dog sledding. Also located at Wire Plain are the sled dogs and you can have a howling good time when you go dog sledding at Mt Hotham with Howling Husky Sled Dog Tours. Some of the Siberian Huskies are just beautiful. Be sure to at least go and say hello to the dogs.

Alpine Nature Experience

Alpine Nature Experience offer a range of unique Mt Hotham activities in the eco village not far from Wire Plain. A dinner experience includes a short snowshoe tour to the village, a glass of warmed gluhwein around the fire, then head into the central tipi for dinner of soup and fondue.

Or for the ultimate snow experience, you can add on an overnight adventure where you stay in a snowdome tent or an igloo.

Daytime experiences include a skidoo ride to the village to have an outdoor hot tub with views across the Dargo Valley. Or sunset hot tub trips include mulled wine, cheese platter and sparkling wine.

Snowcat Sunset Tour

The sunset tour includes a ride up the Summit run in a snowcat, a snow grooming machine with a heated cabin on the back. Once at the top of the summit, you can watch the sunset whilst partaking in gourmet nibbles, wines and beer.

Or you could just walk up or ski tour up to the summit with your own charcuteski or snacklebox and enjoy the sunset for free!?

Mt Hotham Massage

If you’ve battered yourself on the slopes with too much skiing or snowboarding, or just need some pampering, you can get a chillaxing massage at Mountain Wellness, located near the medical centre. They offer a variety of massages and beauty treatments including waxing (which is obviously different to the waxing they offer in the ski/snowboard tuning and repairs centre!).

Unfortunately the Hotham day spa (White Spa) and Dinner Plain day spa (Onsen) are no longer operational.