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Dinner Plain open and free (entry, XC ski, more)

snow action team 13.07.2020

Dinner Plain is open and free! Yes, this is Australia’s only above the snowline village where you don’t pay entry fees or overnight parking charges because it’s not in a national park/controlled setting.

In fact, apart from occasional falls elsewhere like the Blue Mountains etc it’s pretty much Australia’s only free snow zone.

The fee free entry is true both approaching from Omeo or coming up past Hotham from Harrietville – you can legally drive through without paying the Hotham resort entry fees that way. Just don’t get clever and stop for a slide there though, they have number plate cameras at Hotham and you will likely get a fine if you do that!

Free family tobogganing at Dinner Plain
Free family snow fun © Nathan Fenton / Dinner Plain Alpine Village

Dinner Plain usually stays off the radar, a bit cheaper/bit further away option to staying in Hotham itself for mainstream skiers and boarders.

But the village has plenty of activities when they have snow, from 35km of XC ski and snowshoeing trails to Australia’s largest toboggan slope – 75m long and 40m wide, with snowmaking and grooming to keep it in good condition.

All of these are FREE of charge. Yes, free entry and free snow activities which adds up to a great opportunity especially for families to affordably experience the snow.

XC skiing at Dinner Plain Alpine Village
Enjoy 35km of XC ski and snowshoe trails © Nathan Fenton

Note the tobogganing is limited to the official slope, with timed sessions to allow controlled numbers and contact tracing of participants.

Dinner Plain Alpine Village announced on Saturday that they will continue its winter operations as planned for the 2020 season. The decision has been made with the full backing of Alpine Shire Council to support the alpine village’s local businesses and staff, following the earlier announcement by Vail Resorts to suspend lift operations at both Mount Hotham and Falls Creek Alpine Resorts. The poma ski tow is operated by Mount Hotham and was already closed for the season and will remain so.

So for those areas of Victoria that remain out of lockdown the opportunity is still there to have some snow fun at least.

For latest Dinner Plain info check their site here

For latest accommodation deals check below. If you are staying in Dinner Plain and skiing at Hotham instead of paying Hotham’s resort entry and driving you can just catch the Dinner Plain – Hotham shuttle bus, which runs daily throughout winter. It is subsidised by the Alpine Shire Council. Click for Dinner Plain Hotham Shuttle Bus Info

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