This season, choose between half or full day Kids Club lessons!
We're pleased to offer both full day programs and half day Kids Club lessons this season. This is a great way for children to learn, meet new friends and explore the mountain.
HALF DAY KIDS LESSON
- Available all season
- Registration commences at 9:00am
- Meet at the Big D, bus stop 5
- Ends at 12:30pm for pick-up
- Ages 7 - 14
- Ski and Snowboard lessons available
FULL DAY KIDS LESSON
- Available June 24th - September 8th
- Registration commences at 9:00am
- Meet at the Big D, bus stop 5
- Ends at 3:00pm for pick-up
- Ages 7 - 14
- Ski and Snowboard lessons available
Kids Club creates a unique environment that provides kids the opportunity to make new friends while gaining the maximum benefit from skiing and boarding with our qualified instructors.
You will be given a plastic lesson tag when attending the first day of your Kids Club program which acts as the registration form. Please ensure this tag is securely fitted to each child's clothing when dropping your child off for their lesson each day.
Older participants may leave their lesson without a parent collecting them if permission is indicated on their registration tag.
Meeting place
All Kids Club participants will meet outside The Big D building which is located at Bus stop number 5.
Registration times
Kids Club participants are to meet outside the Big D building at 9am where an instructor will be allocated. For participants who still need to be registered, collect lift passes, hand in medication or arrange equipment hire within the Big D building, we recommend arrival at least 30 minutes earlier. Once registration has closed, we cannot guarantee your child a spot in the program on that day.
Pick up times & location
- Full day Kids Club lessons: 3:00pm
- Half day Kids Club Lessons: 12:30pm
Pick up location is outside the Big D building. Older children do not have to be collected by parents if it has been pre-arranged on their registration tag.
Here is a list of essential items to pack for your child’s Kids Club lesson:
- A valid Mountain Access Card, with Kids Club and a valid lift ticket loaded onto it
- Skis or Snowboard
- Ski or Snowboard Boots – these should be on your child’s feet when they arrive at Kids Club
- Ski Poles
- Helmet (compulsory for all children & teens in Hotham Snowsports Programs)
- Goggles and/or sunglasses to protect your child’s eyes from glare
- Waterproof snow pants and jacket
- Warm layers under outerwear
- Ski socks (not cotton)
- Waterproof mittens or gloves
- Neck warmer/ tube or Balaclava
- Sunscreen SPF 15 or higher
- Any special nut free food and/or medications (note that our Children’s Snowsports Centres are nut free zones)
Hotham’s Helmet Policy requires that all participants in Children's Snowsports Programs, plus any programs that access our terrain parks, racecourses or similar activities wear an approved snowsports helmet.
Preparing for your lesson
Before your child's lesson be sure to organise your on-snow equipment. This can be hired from Hotham Sports Kids located at the Big D or Hotham Central by booking online in advance. If equipment is being hired on the same day as the lesson, arrive an hour before the lesson start to allow time to try on and collect equipment. Kids will need skis or snowboards with outerwear including gloves, helmet and eyewear (goggles or sunglasses).
Lunch is included in full day lesson programs and will be provided at one of Hotham's food and beverage locations. Half day lessons may stop for a snack break but as we try to maximise time on snow, this will be guided by the group and the weather conditions. Information on special dietary requirements will need to be provided at the time of check-in to discuss whether we can accommodate these needs. For Echidnas, Lyrebirds and Kangaroos we cannot cater to Gluten Free dietaries, but we can offer a low gluten option, due to the kitchen these lunches are cooked in.
Kids Club participants are to meet outside the Big D building from 9:00am to 9:30am where an instructor will be located. For participants who still need to be registered, collect lift passes, hand in medication or arrange equipment hire within the Big D building, we recommend arriving at least 30 minutes earlier. Once registration has closed, we cannot guarantee your child a place in the program that day.
Skiers:
Koala (1) never skied before or it’s been many years since learning to ski and need a little refresher on how to stop using a snowplough. In their first lesson, guests will be learning how to move around on the snow, snow plough stop and introduction to turning. This level does not ski with poles.
Possum (2) second day of lessons. In this second lesson, guests will get more confident stopping and creating small turns on easy green terrain. Guests can ski on the magic carpet and will start progressing to longer green runs. This level does not ski with poles.
Wombat (3) guests are confident making strong snowplough turns on green terrain. Guests can confidently make S shape snowplough turns and are developing turn shape and technique to be able to ski blue terrain. Guests are working towards basic christie, matching skis parallel at the end of their turns. This level does not start with poles, instructor will advice at the end of the day if will be required.
Echidna (4) guests can make confident basic christie turns on blue terrain. Guests can confidently ski blue terrain in a small snowplough and actively matching the skis parallel across the hill. Through this level, guests are learning how to parallel ski. This level uses poles and will require them for lessons.
Lyrebird (5) guest can confidently ski parallel on all blue terrain all the time. Guests will be progressing their parallel technique and moving towards skiing steeper terrain. This level uses poles and will require them for lessons.
Kangaroo (6) guests are skiing parallel on easy black runs and learning advanced skiing techniques to aid with speed and steeper terrain. Guests moving through this level are skiing faster speeds parallel and exploring the entire mountain. This level uses poles and will require them for lessons.
Snowboarders:
Koala (1) never snowboarded before. In their first lesson, guests will be learning snowboard basics and one-footed sliding skills.
Possum (2) second day of lessons. In the second lesson, guests will get more confident moving around on their snowboards. Guests will begin learning side slips, falling leaf and heel and toe side slipping with two feet strapped in.
Wombat (3) guests joining this level can traverse and falling leaf on both sides and are learning to turn. They are learning basic turns.
Echidna (4) guests are linking turns down green runs, refining turn technique and confidence to progress to steeper blue terrain.
Lyrebird (5) guests are more confident linking turns down blue runs, refining turn shape and size to progress to steeper black terrain. They are learning to vary their turns and may begin exploring flat land freestyle and terrain park skills.
Kangaroo (6) guests are linking turns down black runs, refining turn techniques to ride faster down steeper terrain. Guests moving through this level are riding faster and exploring the entire mountain.