LESSON

KIDS CLUB ski & snowboard lessons

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NEW for 2025: New Kids learning zone and carpet area at Hotham Central! More fun for the kids and more conveniently located for parents.

Kids Club is the perfect place for children aged 7-14 to enjoy skiing and snowboarding. With both full and half-day programs, they’ll receive expert instruction in a fun and safe environment.


Epic Australia Pass and Epic Australia Day Pass holders receive 20% off kids lessons, when purchased online and in advance.

 


More fun more and progress in 2025. Kids Club lessons are available now!

 

New Kids Area Zone for 2025

What you need to know

UPDATED for 2025: All Kids Club Lesson participants meet out the front of Hotham Central, between Hotham Central and Great Alpine Road.

Our Kids Club program is available to children aged between 7 and 14 years old with both skiing and snowboarding lessons for all abilities on offer. Choose between half and full day programs to suit your holiday. Kids Club is a great way for children to learn in a fun environment, meet new friends and explore the mountain! .​

Half Day Kids Club Lesson

  • Available: 21 June - 29 September
  • Check-in commences at 9:45am
  • Lesson start: 10:00am sharp
  • Meet on snow, behind the Hotham Central building - look for the kid's club flags
  • Ends at 12:30pm for pick-up
  • Ages 7 - 14
  • Ski and Snowboard lessons available

Full Day Kids Club Lesson

  • Available: 23 June - 7 September
  • Check-in commences at 9:45am
  • Meet on snow, behind the Hotham Central building - look for the kid's club flags
  • Ends at 3:00pm for pick-up
  • Ages 7 - 14
  • Lunch included
  • Ski and Snowboard lessons available

You must arrive at the meeting place with your child ready to hit the snow. Once lessons start, we cannot guarantee your child a spot in the program on that day. Please ensure you allow enough time to travel around the resort, especially during peak times.

Kids Club creates a unique environment that provides kids the opportunity to make new friends while gaining the maximum benefit from skiing and snowboarding 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 Lesson participants meet out the front of Hotham Central, between Hotham Central and Great Alpine Road. Look for the Kids Club flags. Instructors will be allocated to sort participants into groups based on ability on their first day of lessons. 

Please ensure your child arrives ready to ski or snowboard. If you need to collect lift passes or require rental equipment, we recommend organising the day prior to lessons commencing. If you need to collect on the day, please allow 45 minutes before lesson check-in.

Check-in times

  • Check-in from 9:45am
  • Lessons commence at 10:00am sharp

Pick up times 

  • Half day programs: 12:30pm 
  • Full day programs: 3:00pm 

Pick up location 

Pick up location is the same as check-in, in front of the Hotham Central building, unless otherwise organised with the instructor. 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 bring and wear for your child’s Kids Club lesson: 

Wear

  • Ski or Snowboard boots – these should be on your child’s feet when they arrive at Kids Club 
  • 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 

Bring

  • Skis or Snowboard
  • Ski poles
  • A valid Mountain Access Card, with Kids Club lesson and a valid lift ticket loaded onto it – this should be placed in your child’s jacket pocket on the left-hand side.
  • Any 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.

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.

More fun more progress in ’25. Kids Club lessons are available now.

Lift access is not included in your lesson purchase and all lesson participants require a valid lift ticket regardless of their ability level. Find out more about lift tickets here.

For further enquiries, contact our team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hotham Ski and Snowboard School

What child ski and snowboard school offerings will you provide this year?

Our Ski and Snowboard School provides child lessons that focus on creating a fun and safe environment for your little ones to nurture their love for the snow while developing basic skills. We are pleased to offer a variety of child snow sports lessons this season, please explore our lesson pages for more information.

 

Are lift tickets included with your lessons?​

No, lift tickets are not included in lesson purchases. All lesson participants require a valid lift ticket regardless of their ability level.

Lift access for use in your lesson can be purchased in the form of a single or multi day lift ticketEpic Australia Pass or Epic Australia 4-Day Pass and must be purchased online and in advance. Please note that single and multi-day lift ticket prices are based on daily rates, regardless of the number or type of lifts used during the lesson.

 

Do I need to book lessons in advance?​

Yes, especially for kids’ lessons as we have limited number of lessons available. We recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.

If you are trying to book lessons and the lesson appears as Sold Out or Lesson Full, it means that at this stage we are at maximum capacity for that lesson.

Any additional capacity will be released directly to the online shop. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer a waiting list for these products.

Preparing for your child’s lesson

When should we arrive for my child’s lesson?

Please allow extra time to travel around the resort in peak times (weekends and school holidays) to avoid being late to your lesson. 

Mighty Mites lessons:

  • Arrive for check-in from 9:30am
  • Lessons start 10:00am sharp 

Kids Club lessons:

  • Arrive ready to start at 9:45am (boots, helmets, goggles and gloves on and ready to go)
  • Lessons commence at 10:00am sharp 

Where do I drop my child off for their lesson?

IMPORTANT! Please note that Mighty Mites and Kids Club drop-off locations have changed for the 2025 snow season.

Mighty Mites lessons

Check-in downstairs on the lower level of Hotham Central at the northern end (Zirky’s building side). Enter through the side door of Hotham Central that faces Zirky’s for the best access and head through the new Viva Alpina restaurant entrance. 

Kids Club lessons

Meet out the front Hotham Central building, between Hotham Central and the Great Alpine Road. Look for the Kids Club flags.

Do I need to collect my rentals before I go to my lesson?​

Yes, make sure you have all your rental gear, waterproof clothing, gloves and other necessary items before you arrive for your lesson. Collecting rental equipment requires a fitting process that can take some time. It is recommended to collect your rental equipment the afternoon before your lesson. If collecting in the morning of your first lesson, please arrive at the rental shop in good time.

Need some tips on how to safely ride the chairlift? The video below shares everything you need to know to keep safe when approaching, loading, riding and unloading the chairlift.

During your child's lesson

Can I ski/board with my child during lessons?​

During your child’s lesson, we request that parents observe from a distance to prevent disrupting the class.

The best way for families to improve their ski or snowboard skills together is to book a Private Lesson.

 

Can I pick up my child early from their lesson?​

If you need to collect your child early from a lesson, please talk to one of our Snowsports School supervisors at Hotham Central.

 

What happens if my child becomes upset during their lesson?​

If your child becomes upset during their lesson, our trained and experienced staff will comfort them. If we feel it is better for you to collect your child, we will contact you.

 

Can my children be in the same lesson?

This depends on the age, ability and snow sport discipline of your children. If these differ, your children will be placed in different lessons that cater to their individual needs and abilities. In some cases, if our staff feel there is a need, siblings may have the opportunity for brief visits during the day.

 

Is lunch included in my child’s lesson?

Lunch is provided for children participating in full day Mighty Mites and Kids Club lessons.

A light snack will also be provided during both half-day and full-day lessons if required. We aim to maximise time on snow so will be guided by the group and the weather.

Please let our instructors know of any allergies before the lesson.

 

What happens if my child is late to their lesson?​

Please allow extra time to travel around the resort in peak times (weekends and school holidays) to avoid being late to your lesson.

If you’re running late for a lesson, please head straight to your lesson meeting area and look for a staff member. A Ski Instructor or Snowsports Supervisor will be able to assist you on the best course of action depending how late you are. Please note that if you miss your lesson due to lateness the lesson cost is non-refundable.

We will do our best to accommodate you if you are running late however, if your lesson group has already left the lesson area, they will not be able to return to collect late students.

 

What happens if my child becomes sick and can’t attend their lesson?​

If your child becomes sick during your trip and as a result cannot make further use of their multi-day product/s (lift tickets, lessons, or rentals), you may be eligible to receive a Snow Credit equal to the remaining value of your product/s.

Click here for more information about changing or cancelling your booking due to illness.

What happens if my child is sick during their lesson? 

If your child becomes sick soon after they have been dropped off to their lesson, we will call you and ask that you pick them up.

If you’re able to pick your child up immediately after being contacted, we can change the lesson to another day or provide a Snow Credit for the lesson cost. If you are unable to pick up your child, and they remain in our care for entire duration of the lesson, the lesson will not be rescheduled or refunded.

How do I change or cancel my lesson?

If your plans change you have the option to either cancel or change your booking.

Changes or cancellations that result in money being payable back to the purchaser will be issued in the form of a Snow Credit. No cash refunds will be issued.

Any requested changes of cancellations to bookings must be made at least 48 hours or more prior to the earliest scheduled commencement date of your booking.

Visit our Help Centre for more information on requesting to change or cancel your lesson:

View full terms and conditions here.

Kids on Lifts Safety Video

Need some tips on how to safely ride the chairlift? This video shares everything you need to know to keep you safe when approaching, loading, riding and unloading the chairlift.

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