Mount Hotham - Traverse Hotham
Discover the beauty of Victoria's alpine wilderness with Traverse Hotham, a specialist cross country skiing and guided snowshoeing operator offering winter adventures around Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain.
Explore beautiful snow-covered trails, wander between twisted snow gums and enjoy spectacular mountain scenery away from the busy downhill ski slopes.
Traverse Hotham is an accredited Nordic ski school offering experiences for beginners through to experienced cross country skiers, with guided activities designed to help visitors discover the alpine landscape at a relaxed pace.
Cross Country Skiing:
Traverse Hotham offers lessons and guided tours across the extensive network of cross country skiing trails at Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain.
Experiences include:
- Absolute Beginner XC: A 1.5-hour private lesson for people who have never skied before, covering balance, moving on skis and getting up safely after a fall.
- Intro to Cross Country: A 1.5-hour lesson covering basic skiing techniques, weight transfer and efficient gliding. Scheduled group lessons and private instruction are available.
- Improver XC Lesson/Tour: Private instruction for skiers wanting to develop their skills and explore more challenging trails.
- Half Piste Nordic Ski Tour: A guided half-day experience exploring both groomed trails and nearby natural snow-covered terrain.
Guided Snowshoeing:
Snowshoeing is a wonderful alternative for visitors who want to explore the snowy alpine landscape without learning to ski.
Special snowshoes attach to winter footwear and help participants walk across soft snow.
Guided experiences include:
- Sunset Snowshoeing Experience: A 1.5-hour guided walk timed to enjoy the beautiful colours of an alpine sunset. Scheduled group tours are offered at Mount Hotham, with private bookings available at Dinner Plain.
- Guided Snowshoeing Adventure: A 1.5-hour or half-day private experience exploring snow gum forests, alpine ridges and open snowfields, with the route tailored to the group's interests and fitness.
- Villages Traverse Expedition: A full-day guided snowshoe adventure between Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain through spectacular alpine country. Includes morning tea, snacks, return transport and snowshoe equipment.
Nordic Backcountry Ski Touring:
Experienced cross country skiers can venture beyond the groomed trails on guided Nordic backcountry adventures.
These tours explore remote snow gum forests, alpine plains and ridgelines, with routes selected to suit participants' abilities and prevailing snow conditions.
Half-day and full-day private tours are available. Previous cross country skiing experience and suitable fitness are required.
Family Information:
- Many activities can be tailored for families, with age requirements varying between experiences.
- The minimum age for public Intro to XC group lessons is 12 years.
- Snowshoeing is suitable for beginners, with private tours offering flexibility for families.
- Cross country ski equipment hire is not included in lessons and must be arranged separately.
- Snowshoes and poles are included with guided snowshoeing experiences.
- Wear warm layered clothing, waterproof outerwear, gloves and suitable winter footwear.
- Bring drinking water, sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Advance bookings are recommended, particularly during weekends and school holidays.
- Activities may be adjusted or cancelled because of unsuitable weather or snow conditions.
Getting There:
Traverse Hotham operates at both Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain, approximately 12km apart along the Great Alpine Road.
Meeting locations depend on the activity, tour arrangements and snow conditions. Full meeting details are provided with booking confirmation.
Mount Hotham requires resort entry permits for vehicles stopping within the resort during the declared snow season. Dinner Plain does not charge a resort entry fee.
Opening Hours:
Activities operate primarily during the winter snow season, with scheduled group sessions and private tours available by arrangement. See current tour dates and availability.
Cost:
See current prices and booking details.
Review:
Traverse Hotham offers a great way for families to discover the quieter and more natural side of Victoria's alpine snowfields.
Rather than spending the day on busy downhill ski slopes, visitors can explore peaceful snow gum forests and magnificent alpine scenery while learning a new winter activity.
The guided snowshoeing experiences are particularly appealing for families who want to enjoy the snow without needing skiing skills. The opportunity to wander through beautiful winter landscapes with an experienced local guide makes the activity both enjoyable and educational.
Cross country skiing lessons provide another rewarding option for older children and teenagers interested in developing outdoor skills and exploring beyond the usual ski resort activities.
The full-day Villages Traverse expedition is better suited to fit older teenagers and adults looking for a more demanding winter adventure.
With activities ranging from gentle introductory snowshoe walks to challenging backcountry expeditions, Traverse Hotham offers something different for adventurous families visiting Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain.
✆ 0422 580 479
Email Enquiry
Web Links
→ www.traversehotham.com.au
