Episode 26: Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain

There's nothing like a trip to the snow to let you know it's winter, so Shane Crawford and the Postcards team head to Mount Hotham, where this year’s bumper ski season lets them relax, snowshoe, wine, dine and ski.

Roxy Chadstone and Sambucca Apartments
If you want to look like a pro, Winter Olympic gold medal winner Torah Bright has co-designed a line of snow gear with Roxy Chadstone. Roxy has all the snow gear you'll need and if you’re decked out in Quicksilver, you're sure to look hot in the cold.

Hotham Central is you're first stop to hire your equipment. Once you've sorted yourself out with boots, bindings and a board, you can sign up for group or private lessons at the snow sports school.

To stay next to the Village Chair and a short stroll from restaurants, bars and cafes, there's Sambuca Apartments. Designed for six to ten people, most of the apartments have two bathrooms, drying rooms and all the modern appliances you need.

Quicksilver
www.quiksilver.com.au

Sambuca Apartments, Hotham Holidays
Ph 1800 468 426
www.mthotham.com.au

Z Cafe at Zirky's
03 5759 3518

Snowshoeing, lunch, manicure and martini
Snowshoeing is a gentle alternative to skiing and a great way to enjoy over 35 kilometres of scenic, well-maintained trails between Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain, and most of the walking areas have lookout points with champagne views.

After a morning's snowshoeing, there's lunch and a re-fuel at The White Room at Hotham Central, which is also open for drinks and dinner.

If you've had enough snow for the day, what about some pampering? The White Spa is the highest spa in Australia and offers the finest skin care, massage, aqua therapy and aromatherapy. There are traditional treatments or special treats like Martinis and Manicures.

Adventures With Altitude
Ph 035159 6608
www.adventureswithaltitude.com.au

The White Room
Hotham Central, Great Alpine Road, Mount Hotham
Ph 03 5759 3456
www.whiteroomrb.com.au

White Spa Mountain Retreat
Hotham Central, Great Alpine Road, Mount Hotham
Ph 03 5759 4488
www.whitespahotham.com.au

Mountain Dreaming, Swindlers and snowdragon
Whether you're going to explore the 320 hectares of skiable terrain or visiting for the après ski, there's always time for a decent coffee at Swindler's bar and bistro. When the weather's right they open up the deck overlooking spectacular views of the mountain, and there's plenty of seating inside for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The gourmet pizzas are especially recommended.

And leave room for a meal at Tsubo bar and restaurant, which is based on a traditional Izakaya. Owner and head chef, Hamish Nugent aims to serve up inspiring Japanese dishes in a relaxed setting.

For sweet dreams and unbeatable views, Hotham's newest apartments are Mountain Dreaming, behind The General store and pub. The five apartments have two bedrooms downstairs and a comfortable living, dining and kitchen area upstairs.

For younger members of the family, there's the Kidz Snowzone at Big D where Hotham's celebrity snowdragon dances up a snow storm twice a week in free show. And kids receive a free show bag at the end.

Swindlers
Ph 03 5759 3436

Tusbo
Ph 03 5159 6622

Mountain Dreaming Apartments, Hotham Holidays
Ph 1800 468 426
www.mthotham.com.au

Sled dogs, spa and degustation dinner
There's only once place you can take a dog sled ride in Australia, and that's Dinner Plain with Brett Hadden and his Siberian Huskies. The sleds can take two adults or three children. There's a gentle 15-minute tour around the 2-kilometre track that winds through towering snow gums or you can hit speeds of up to 32 kilometres an hour.

To completely relax after a day on the plain, the Japanese-inspired Onsen day spa is the perfect snow sanctuary with spas, saunas, a 15-metre lap pool, gym and pampering treatments.

A perfect end to the day is an intimate fireside meal at Graze restaurant at Rundells Alpine Lodge. Regarded as one of the Great Alpine Road's highlight restaurants, chef Shelley Hammer uses the area's best seasonal produce and you can indulge in a degustation that includes a warming shitake mushroom soup, soused garlic mushrooms with rocket pesto and goats pesto, twice-cooked duck leg with fennel and red cabbage, Gippsland eye fillet, and apple pie.

Australian Sled Dog Tours
Ph 03 5756 2767
www.sleddogtours.com.au

Onsen Retreat and Spa
Big Muster Drive, Dinner Plain
Ph 03 5150 8880
www.onsen.com.au

Graze
Rundells Alpine Lodge, Dinner Plain
Ph 03 5159 6422
www.rundells.com.au

Postcards diary

Burning of the Canes Dinner
Max's Restaurant on the Mornington Peninsula hosts the Burning of the Canes Dinner.

Where: Mornington Peninsula
When: 13 August 2011
More: maxsrestaurant.com.au

Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages really rocks with its thrilling and feel good love story.

Where: Comedy Theatre
When: August 2011
More: rockofagesaustralia.com.au

Advance Sled Dog Challenge
The Advance Dog Sled Challenge with over 350 competing dogs.

Where: Dinner Plain
When: 13–14 August 2011
More: mthotham.com.au