Mount Hotham

The Sunday Age

Sunday June 8, 2008

Jim Darby, Craig Tansley, David Sly

Expert skiing comments by Jim Darby; snowboarding by Craig Tansley; dining and accommodation by David Sly.

GENERAL STORE

For apres-ski and casual evening meals, the General Store makes simple, delicious pizza and tapas plates to nibble over a drink or three.

WHITE ROOM

Cocktails are a must at this cool restaurant/lounge in the lower level of the White Crystal building. With discrete lighting, it's prettiest evening snow location in Australia.

AUSTRALIA DRIFT

Here we mean the T-bar, not the out-of-bounds bowl below it. High and handsome, the snow is usually deep, the views sensational and it's usually uncrowded.

ZIRKY'S

The restaurant has taken a great leap forward under the direction of chef Andrew Blake, presenting a la carte dining with a refined, precise touch.

GUN BARREL

It's the best natural half pipe in Australia so you can feel like you're surfing Sunset Beach. Head here early because a lot of skiers aren't interested, they'll head to the easier runs on either side.

IMAGINE

Gets the best of that Heavenly Valley-style skiing with big turns at the top, banked turns as it tightens, and you come out closer to the lift, avoiding some of the Slalom Gully traffic.

JOYCE BROCKHOFF HUT

Located at the top section of the Black Snake run in Heavenly Valley, it will serve hot and cold lunches through July and August.

GOTCHA RIDGE

This one'll getcha hooked on steep powder turns - relatively open at the top for a warm-up, then it tightens in the trees and gully for interesting work on your reflexes.

BUSHWACKER

Like its neighbours Zirk's and Mitchell's, this one is a beautiful ride through the snow gums and back to the Orchard lift. Watch for hard packed/icy conditions up high.

DINNER PLAIN

Tsubo presents an outstanding fusion of contemporary Australian and Japanese cuisine from chef Hamish Nugent, with superb service from Hope Iverack. Book ahead: it's small and popular.

Onsen Retreat and Spa brings the Japanese tradition of heated natural spring bathing to Australia, complemented by five spa treatment rooms and a swimming pool.

BLUE RIBBON

It gets baked by the sun but when the weather isn't so good, Blue Ribbon becomes excellent for snow quality and shelter.

THE EASY MAC BASIN RAIL PARK

It's the most accessible terrain park in Australia; there are rails and boxes to hit and the jumps are good for anyone from novice to expert , if you want to start throwing some spins.

NOTICE BOARD

Especially good when the weather's closed in, plus many natural kickers.

ONE TREE HILL

It's tucked away and so it's free from the crowds and is a great tree run with a nice pitch. Unlike the name suggests, there's a lot more than one tree to hone your powder skills.

SPARGO'S

Another amazing Hotham adventure; this run tests your style with every type of terrain and turn. A long ride, which is great in new snow or on fatter skis.

THE ORCHARD

For its cruisy, intermediate slopes, hit it in the afternoon. There's usually fewer crowds and some nice kickers.Everything you need to know

WHAT YOU'LL FIND

A variety of terrain including some challenging runs for adventurous skiers.

WEBSITE mthotham.com.au

ADULT DAY LIFT TICKET $94.

CHILD DAY LIFT TICKET

$47 (6-14yrs).

GATE ENTRY

$32 per car for one day, season pass $320.

LIFTS 13.

TERRAIN 320 hectares.

HOW THE RESORT RATES ITSELF

Beginner 20%, intermediate 40%, advanced 40%.

GETTING THERE

About 357km (4.5 hours) via Hume Freeway and Bright from Melbourne; about 746km (9 hours) from Sydney via Hume Freeway and Albury, Yackandandah and Myrtleford.

ACCOMMODATION

1800 468 426.

CLOSEST TOWNS

Harrietville 25km, Dinner Plain 12km, Bright 45km.

MOBILE COVERAGE

Good for Telstra and Optus throughout the resort, intermittent for Vodafone.

INTERNET ACCESS

Pay services at AJ's coffee shop and Brandy Creek in Dinner Plain.

GREEN CREDENTIALS

Recycled water used in snowmaking; revegetation projects; recycling awareness program on mountain; commitment to reducing energy use.

OUR PICKS

Best coffee at Swindlers; General Store for lunch; Zirky's is the place for apres drinks, especially on a Friday; best groomed morning run, Cornice Gully to Snake on Heavenly Valley.

© 2008 The Sunday Age

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