Hotham or Falls Creek for beginner snowboarder

[Sweefu]

Hi Team,

Apolgies in advance for the snowboard related nature of this thread. I'm a beginner-intermediate skier and I've convinced my partner to get back on the snow after a bad fall/concussion learning to ski a few years ago.

She's going to try snowboarding instead this time in a hope the movement is more familiar with a background in wakeboarding.

We have accommodation booked in Bright (unfortunately bound by school holiday dates) and I was planning to book her pass and lessons at Hotham because it's closer to our accommodation and we haven't been to Hotham before.

However, looking at the trail map there are only 4 short green runs and majority difficult terrain, compared to Falls with a lot more beginner/intermediate terrain.

Should we book Falls instead or will Hotham still be ok for a first time snowboarder? I'm concerned the beginner runs at Hotham will quickly become a nightmare given how few and short they are. Or will Hotham be ok, perhaps most beginners head to Falls instead for the same reason?

Cheers!

 

[Seth]

Falls.

 

[nezumi]

I haven't been to Hotham yet, but I have been to Falls. The beginner runs there are great, with a good increase in difficulty to allow for progression.

 

[Pisteoff]

Hotham has some good beginner runs but very few lower intermediate runs. Falls has good beginner runs and a lot of lower intermediate runs. Any beginner skier we have taken to the snow, has preferred Falls.

 

[DidSurfNowSki]

Falls.

 

[Onlybackscratchers]

For all of Falls advantages especially in the lower intermediate category, I personally think Hotham's summit area is the best beginner strip in Victoria. Early risers can get a spot in the Coral carpark nearby which can be rather convenient for first timers as well.

However there is a caveat, the summit area, (the views are absolutely stunning) is horribly exposed. It's only really nice maybe 2 days a week. So unless your good a reading weather maps or flexible I would take the more reliable Falls option.

 

[Seth]

For all of Falls advantages especially in the lower intermediate category, I personally think Hotham's summit area is the best beginner strip in Victoria. Early risers can get a spot in the Coral carpark nearby which can be rather convenient for first timers as well.

However there is a caveat, the summit area, (the views are absolutely stunning) is horribly exposed. It's only really nice maybe 2 days a week. So unless your good a reading weather maps or flexible I would take the more reliable Falls option.

The summit is ok but as you say horribly exposed and funnels into it's steepest point at the same time as it narrows right down. The bottom part is crazy at times.

Nothing on what Falls has.

 

[PiedPiper]

Falls

 

[chriscross]

Looks pretty much unanimous. Plan accordingly and leave Hotham for another trip.

 

[currawong]

how long are you going for?

hotham's summit & big D are good beginner slopes. if you are only going for a couple of days then taht could be fine. as others have said, the weather can be pretty bleak on summit. big D is a bit more sheltered but still not great.

if she expects to be there long enough to get off beginner slopes, then Falls for sure.

travel time to falls may not be much worse than hotham. in bad weather it may be quicker.

assuming there is terrain open, don't let her get sucked into thinking that wombats ramble is the best run. wide open spaces of drovers and playground will be less crowded

 

[Onlybackscratchers]

The bottom part is crazy at times.

Well if I'm teaching a friend, I want to be entertained a little bit!

 

[Sweefu]

Amazing help, thanks everyone! Sounds like it'll he worth the extra drive and head to Falls instead.

We are there for 4 days skiing this trip (Sunday to Wednesday) hopefully the week days won't be as bad as the weekend but given school holidays and the year we are having it'll all be packed regardless.

Cheers

 

[Ricardo64]

Do both your based in Bright. You can do your lessons on either mountain giving great variety, and keeping it fun. Initially IMPO, I would think doing lessons at Hotham as it would be done at either the Big D or Central depending on the learners ability. At Falls you have to get up to Cloud 9, which is not that easy and can be intimidating for some, having to go up the chair lift and get off at the top.

 

[currawong]

Do both your based in Bright. You can do your lessons on either mountain giving great variety, and keeping it fun. Initially IMPO, I would think doing lessons at Hotham as it would be done at either the Big D or Central depending on the learners ability. At Falls you have to get up to Cloud 9, which is not that easy and can be intimidating for some, having to go up the chair lift and get off at the top.

But you can carry your board or skis and the detachable is very easy to get on and off. If taking a nervous friend, you could even carry their gear for them the first few times