Welcome Bunderool! Hotham’s first beginner-only terrain re-imagines the beginner experience at Victoria’s highest mountain village ahead of the 2024 snow season

Hotham’s first beginner-only terrain, serviced by a conveyor-belt carpet new to Hotham (named by the Gunaikurnai people as Bunderool, “hill covered by snow”), will greet skiers and snowboarders for the 2024 snow season, re-imagining the first-time experience for beginners at Hotham.

This is the first lift infrastructure named with guidance from the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation and a special naming ceremony is being planned for the start of the snow season to welcome Bunderool to the Hotham family.

“Bunderool carpet is part of an ongoing commitment to improve the experience for beginners on the mountain, alongside improving the safety of all skiers and snowboarders,” said Tina Burford, Hotham’s VP + GM. “It’s also a reflection of our ongoing commitment to our Be Inclusive value – both with the naming of the carpet and with welcoming beginners to the sport.”

Conveniently located behind the Hotham Central building, this terrain will provide a seamless experience close to rental collection and lift ticket services. First-time adult skiers or snowboarders will now be able to take a beginner-only lesson and enjoy the thrill of their first ski or snowboard experience in a safe, more accessible, and more approachable environment.  

Benefits of the new carpet include helping to ease congestion at the bottom of the Summit chairlift while helping to improve the safety and guest experience of all Hotham skiers and riders. Due to its sheltered, premium natural snow location, this carpet will provide a reliable location for beginners during even adverse weather conditions. 

“It’s not often beginners experience the heights and spectacular mountain views from their very first lesson, but at Hotham our village is perched close to the summit and our new carpet is positioned to capitalise on these amazing views,” said Tina. “It’s also close to all the fantastic apres-ski experiences that are a huge part of an introduction to our sport.”

The Basin Terrain Park, which has previously been built in this location, will be relocated with a goal to improve the experience for our park riders, with the new location to be announced as the season commences. We remain flexible with locations as we have several different locations to choose from depending on the conditions and due to our continued investment in snowmaking.

“Many thanks should go to the mountain, maintenance and lift operations teams for doing the build mostly by hand to minimise our environmental impact,” said Tina, “which took a great deal of effort. We can’t wait to welcome Bunderool and our guests this winter.”

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