Snow Hot Right Now

Winter is approaching, and that means it is playtime for snowloving families in Australia and New Zealand. helen hayes gets the lowdown on what’s new this season at some of the major ski fields on both sides of the ditch.

What’s new in Australia

There is something magical about skiing or boarding through, or by, stands of twisted snow gums, following your kids as they blast down the mountain, leaving their more cautious parents in their snowdust. And because kids learn so quickly, you had better get used to it.

In Victoria, Mount Hotham, with its spectacular ridge-top village and multi-valley ski experience, has the Big D area for kids. It is located away from the main hub so kids can learn in safety and on beginner-friendly terrain. Once they get their ski legs, they can progressively explore the other areas of the resort, before heading back up to the village with tired legs and happy faces. Hotham made a $4.5 million investment in snow guns last season, so even if Mother Nature doesn’t play nice early in the season, there will be snow to play on.

For families wanting to try skiing, snowboarding or cross-country skiing for the first time, Lake Mountain Alpine Resort, approximately two hours from Melbourne, is the place to go. Do a day trip or better still, stay at nearby Marysville. While best known for its 37 kilometres of cross-country skiing trails, this year Lake Mountain Alpine Resort is expanding its snowboard offering with lessons for kids seven to 14 years old in the new Burton Learn to Ride program. The program is also available for kids aged three to six who have already progressed through the Burton Riglet Park program. A new magic carpet will be installed this season to carry kids in the program, saving those legs for making turns on the slopes.