A DAY'S shredding Hotham's famously adrenalin–pumping runs and kilometres of scenic trails takes a lot of energy and happily the resort is stacked with many eateries and bars to keep the furnaces stoked from first turns to last drinks.
Here's a little tasting menu to get you started...
Launch into the day at Chill Bar at Hotham Central, with a cup of Fair Trade organic coffee from Mount Beauty legends, Hummingbird, and a Turkish breakfast wrap to go.
Add a freshly squeezed orange juice (new on the Chill menu this year) and you're ready to roll.
Hotham's Kids Club Ski School at The Big D is all about the Billy Lids and Frankie Cafe + Burger Bar, which understand just how much pleasure a Nutella doughnut and piping hot chocolate can bring to the wee ones.
Happy kids, happy grownups!
The all–day licensed cafe stays open until 9pm Wednesdays and Saturdays when Big D lights up for night skiing.
Ski to a hot takeaway or sit–down lunch to recharge for the afternoon's exertions.
At the top of Black Snake is Hoff Hut, built in the 1940s to honour Hotham legend Joyce Brockhoff.
Run by Jamie Walker who started at Hotham as a lift supervisor way back in the 1980s, it's become a favourite lunch place for skiers and boarders exploring Heavenly Valley and nearby runs.
House specialties include hot and hearty lamb shank and barley soup, Harrietville Bakery quiches and new this year, honey–smoked chicken wings out on the deck.
Miss Mary's is one of the best little places on the mountain for dinner (or lunch).
Bright local, Tom Buckley, 'grew up on Hotham' learning to ski from year three at school.
Miss Mary's offers an excellent Asian fusion shared dining experience and a fantastic cocktail list that includes his stonking nine–spice take on the classic Canadian Caesar (tomato and clamato juice) Bloody Mary's Caesar.
At Jack Frost Restaurant and Bar, try crowd favourite, succulent, locally grown beef brisket with mountain yuzu grown in the Alpine Valley below.
Sarah Curtin and Lisa Hemingway, the dream team behind Frankie and Jack Frost, have just launched the Snake Pit at the bottom of the Heavenly Valley chair.
Gather here to cheer on your mates as they conquer the famous run and sample Sarah and Lisa's sublime Hot Buttered Whiskey, a secret recipe involving some cinnamon, cloves, butter, star anise and of course whiskey.
Shhhh! Mum's the word!
Discover a cornucopia of signature cocktails at venues big and small and for night owls there are plenty of places for a late night boogie like Jack Frost's fabulous Thursday night silent disco.
All–day venue, Chill Bar, does live entertainment every Saturday night to raise money for a new sit ski for Disabled Wintersport Australia.
Hotham events in August
MT HOTHAM has no shortage of things to do and events in August.
Night skiing and boarding continues every Wednesday and Saturday night, 6:30–9:30pm (conditions permitting).
The Rider Cross – jr & open on Saturday, August 6 is open to skiers and snowboarders and held on the rider x course – it will be a two–run race with the best run time taken.
The Big Air – jr – is on Sunday, August 14, will see both skiers and boarders of all abilities take to the purpose–built jump and perform tricks to impress a panel of judges – riders have two judged runs, where the best run counts.
The Gun Barrel Banked Slalom on Friday, August 19 is friendly competition to ride out the banked slalom track down Heavenly Valley's Gunbarrel run.
Hotham resort management is reminding guests to buy resort entry in advance online and make sure they are carrying wheel chains (and can fit them – or, if they hire from Hoys, they can take advantage of Hoys' chainfitting service on the road – very handy for new visitors).
