The ski area is a small club field with a friendly atmosphere. It is well suited to intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders who enjoy open spaces with groomed trails and a relaxed atmosphere away from the tow queues and hurly burly of commercial ski fields.
The access road goes all the way to the day lodge and is usually negotiable by 4WD vehicles but chains need to be carried. 2WD vehicles need chains, particularly early in the season. There is no road toll. Seasons usually last from early July to mid-September.
Hanmer Springs Ski Area is small enough to be friendly but big enough to make you feel you have plenty of space to ski. The long poma takes you to the top of the mountain from where you get fabulous all round views. A good choice of intermediate and advanced runs down giving good intermediate skiing on groomed trails, off-piste challenges for the more advanced and some great snowboarding with both natural and groomed pipe riding. The shirtfront rope tow goes up into a separate basin with good intermediate skiing.
There is a small learners area with its own rope tow. There is ski hire plus instruction on the field and a welcoming Day Lodge with woodstove and carpeted mezzanine area offers a place to rest and meet with family and friends. There are usually cups of hot soup, pies, soft drinks, chocolate bars etc. on sale.
The Robinson Lodge with bunk and family rooms plus hot showers is situated by the Day Lodge and is available to non-members who want to stay up at the field on a backpacker basis, using the cooking facilities in the Day Lodge.
You drive right up to the Ski Area (although chains must be carried) and can get from the carpark straight onto the lifts. There's a centrally heated Day Lodge complete with stoves, toasted sandwich machines, tea and coffee for your convenience when you want a relaxing break. Ski hire, waxing and repairs are also available on the mountain. (Along with sales of equipment, in nearby Hanmer Springs)
Experienced Ski Instructors are on hand to help you get the most out of our skiing, and qualified ski patrollers are always on duty. If you decide to stay at the Ski Area (there's comfortable accommodation for 50 people) you can choose from either family rooms or bunk type accommodation in the Fraemohs lodge. Self-catering accommodation is available and the 5 night 6 day backpacker deal is exceptionally good value. There's nothing quite like waking up in the midst of the mountains.
Access to the runs is by way of one of the longest poma lifts in the country and two rope tows. These run virtually from dawn to dusk, until most of the skiers have more than exhausted all the opportunities. Why should we cut someone's fun short? The Ski Area is run by the Amuri Ski Club (Inc.) and one of the beauties of a club rather than a commercial field is that the only timetable we have to adhere to is our own. Another advantage is that tow fees are very reasonable because we want people to be able to afford to ski.
Hanmer Springs Tips:
- Intermediate skiers should check out the Shirtfront rope tow which heads up into a different basin and has great runs for this level of riders
- All 2WD cars must have chains on when accessing Hanmer Springs ski field
- Check out Fraemoh lodge’s 5 night, 6 day backpacker deal for a unique experience waking up in the midst of the mountains
- A Parents Pass is available for couples that are unable to ski/ride at the same time due to caring for a young child. This is a pass that can be shared between you. Please ask our ticket office team how this will work.