Come 2025 and Hotham skiers and snowboarders will see the current Big D terrain evolve into a dedicated progression-focused freestyle and terrain park with a series of jumps, rail lines, mini boarder cross course and a permanent mogul course.
But what of the Kids Snowsports School you ask?
It will move from the Big D to Hotham Central and surface lifts will be relocated to support the learning experience and centralise the snowsports offering, increasing the time on snow for both children in lessons and parents heading out on the slopes.
Kids will also no longer need to travel on a bus with instructors as a new indoor space will be created in Hotham Central for Hotham’s youngest learners.
For the 2025 season, the Bunderool carpet will be used exclusively for kids lessons and the Pup’s Playground carpet lift will be moved as an additional lift for the Kids Snowsports School.
The Summit Trainer Poma will be removed and replaced with Harry’s, the longer Big D carpet, to better support Hotham’s adult learners. This will significantly improve their learning experience, particularly for snowboarders.
The new Big D zone will also host night freestyle events, night skiing and boarding offering both terrain park features as well as a regular ski run option.
“We are so excited to bring this new offering to life at Hotham. We’re creating something unique to Australia that will really appeal to Hotham guests and families, who we know are progression focused and always up for adventure,” says Tina Burford, Hotham’s Vice President and General Manager.
“We thank our staff and stakeholders for coming on this journey with us and helping us to provide leadership and innovation in the Australian snow industry.”
The Big D building will be developed over the next few years, for both staff and guest use, as well as space for development programs and camps.
“Terrain parks are ever popular with skiers and snowboarders,” says Briony Johnson, Hotham’s Terrain Park Supervisor.
“Not only are they a great place to learn skills in a controlled environment but they also create a social hub for riders. We are looking forward to putting our creativity to the test and creating fun and exciting lines for skiers and riders of all abilities. Watch this space as we bring this new part of Hotham to life!”
This progression focused park will also provide the perfect development opportunities for Hotham’s more challenging terrain and the bigger features of the Summit Terrain Park.
Future plans include the potential to relocate the current Summit Trainer lift to the skiers right of the Sun Run, to provide a good intermediate run option when upper lifts are wind affected.
