Conditions Report – Hotham Alpine Resort, Australia with Drew Jolowicz

All Photos: Chris Hocking | Skier: Drew Jolowicz

It’s been a winter of variability in Australia, however in current weeks storms have peppered the mountains Down Below revealing among the most stunningly scenic snowboarding you’ll ever lay eyes on. Protection on the Aussie winter has been largely pushed apart amidst historic snowfall in South America’s Andes Mountains. However we at FREESKIER have been curious, and we wished to search out out what the snowboarding has been like at one among Australia’s most preeminent locations; Hotham Alpine Resort. We dialed up Hotham native {and professional} skier Drew Jolowicz to listen to the information straight from the supply.

Situated on the Southeast aspect of Australia within the state of Victoria, Hotham is the nation’s second-highest resort, elevation-wise. Whereas neighboring areas akin to Thredbo and Perisher are broadly identified for his or her dedication and keenness relating to constructing out stellar terrain parks, Hotham is thought for its freeride standing. The resort and its backcountry entry have a far-reaching enchantment. Actually, Hotham hosted Australia’s first-ever Freeride World Tour occasion earlier this month.

130 rivals took half within the Freeride World Tour Junior 1* occasion, and 70 rivals threw down within the Freeride World Qualifier 1* occasion. Most freeride competitions, from IFSA to FWT professional, see 30 – 100 riders. The big numbers at Hotham point out that the native crowd is frothing for extra. Jolowicz advised us that they’ve definitely had their possibilities to discover freeride terrain this 12 months, particularly in current weeks.

The 2024 winter season began sluggish in Australia, but it surely’s definitely picked up as of late. The continent’s shut proximity to Antarctica can create surprisingly chilly, low-moisture-content storms.

“Early season at Hotham Alpine Resort produced loads of chilly, clear climate—good for snowmaking, which allowed the group to create an important base,” Jolowicz stated. “As we’ve moved into peak season Mom Nature has undoubtedly come to the powder get together with back-to-back low-pressure programs rolling by means of the mountains producing some wonderful circumstances. Following these storms, we’ve been blessed with steady high-pressure and chilly nights adopted by sunny days good for ripping groomers!”

Climate patterns on the finish of July and the start of August have introduced constant snow, reworking Hotham and the encompassing mountains within the Nice Dividing Vary of the Victorian Alps. A current storm cycle initially of August dropped 102 cm (40 inches) on the world. Jolowicz talked about that the timing of those storms couldn’t have been higher. Since this time of 12 months is usually peak winter, this snow will function an important base and set the mountains up effectively for steady, constant snowboarding by means of the rest of winter.

We requested Jolowicz to explain an Australian pow day for us. Particularly, what does an important day stuffed with blower snow seem like at Hotham? He advised us that it’s definitely a novel expertise.

“Powder days ‘Down Below’ are at all times memorable. For me, sharing the deep days with mates in acquainted terrain is what retains me coming again for extra.  The best way the snow settles on snow gum [trees] is one thing that’s particular and distinctive to Australia. It offers the mountains and the geography a mystical feeling that’s arduous to copy elsewhere. Hotham’s fame as Australia’s powder capital definitely got here to fruition throughout the snowy interval. When the wind blows from the northwest the mountain’s steep gullies and bowls load up with dry powder.

When the snow’s falling the protected gullies of Heavenly Valley is my favourite zone to be in. Windblown powder could be discovered down amongst the snow gums offering some superior snowboarding.  When the storm clears, the ‘Excessive Zone’ accessed from the Gotcha Chair supplies arguably Australia’s steepest inbounds terrain with Mary’s Slide, The Chute or Lindysay’s providing wonderful turns.”

Situations have remained stable since these storms gave the world a much-needed refresh. Native climate and snow professional Invoice Barker talked about that the backcountry round Hotham continues to ski effectively, however to be conscious of floor hoar forming.

Hotham Alpine Resort and the remainder of Australia at the moment are headed into their prime weeks of winter, and it appears to be like like extra snow will probably be falling. The present forecast exhibits snow anticipated from August 17 by means of August 26. Reward be! To assist any potential vacationers on their mission to attain pow Down Below, we requested Jolowicz for 3 issues each skier ought to do in Australia.

1: Expertise WRX first tracks at Hotham on a powder day.  Unique to Epic Australia Move and Epic Move holders, in peak season when circumstances permit the Heavenly Valley Chair opens from 7:30am giving visitors the chance to shred the contemporary powder or chalky dry groomers earlier than anybody else within the nation.

2: Monitor the climate fashions. Our greatest storms originate from the Southern Ocean and while you see a ‘Polar Blast’ creating straight off the Antarctic it’s time to make plans and head for the mountains!

3: Regulate subsequent 12 months’s calendar. This previous weekend noticed the staging of Hotham’s inaugural FWT junior and qualifier occasions (the primary ever held in Australia!) Set in Heavenly Valley’s ‘Peach Bowl’ zone, rivals have been greeted with nice climate, dry packed snow and loads of options to show their expertise on. 

Photos: Chris Hocking