LOOKING back over 70 years of lift operations at Mount Hotham is an interesting exercise to say the least.
In that time there have been around 30 different ski lifts gracing the ski area (and perhaps some not so 'gracing'!).
Lifts have included numerous nutcracker rope tows, handle rope tows, platters, pomas, T–bars, double, triple and quad chairs and even an official dalliance with a snowcat.
There are clear milestone moments and some critical pulses of development that were similarly experienced worldwide.
The 1980s and 1990s saw the bulk of development that shaped most current ski resorts in Australia, and Hotham was no different.
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But there was arguably one lift that had the greatest impact of all.
Anyone that was at Hotham in 1987 for the opening of the Heavenly Valley quad chair probably realises the lasting legacy it created for the resort.
A massive game changer, it not only irrevocably changed the physical landscape of the resort, in many ways it also changed the mindset, and was the first real step to making the entire ski area more approachable for the masses.
In the 1930s, prior to the establishment of ski lifts, skiing at Hotham was all about the 1210 foot vertical, one mile descent, called the Varsity Drag course, from Mt Higginbotham summit to Swindlers Creek.
Down 'Higgies Schuss', through the 'Gap', over the snow–covered Omeo Road, into the 'Roaring 40s', around 'Hells Corner', 'Grecian Bend' and 'Gentle Annie' to get to 'Hog's Back'.
Dropping off the 'Cornice', the descent continued into the 'Howling 50s', over 'Begg's Bath' and onto the 'Plains of Paris' before ending at 'Heavens Corner' on Swindlers Creek (just near the current Silver Brumby Hut below the Blue Ribbon chairlift base station).
What an adventure!
It is a run that can still be done today, though following the original route is difficult due to the modern infrastructure obstacles along the way i.e. a ski–destroying strip of bitumen (the Great Alpine Road!) and numerous lodges, car parks and handrails.
It would be 20 more years before a mechanical means of ascent would be installed at Mt Hotham.
In 1952 a 'nutcracker' rope tow was installed below the road serving the run described above, albeit with some updated slope names, with the name 'Blue Ribbon' moniker had come to the fore.
The Blue Ribbon nutcracker would serve until the early 70s, not long after Hotham's first major move 'forward' when the Playground 2–seater chair was installed in 1969.
Before the great chairlift revolution of the 1980s, a host of surface tows were dotted across Hotham above and below the road (a subject that will be covered in the August edition of the Mt Hotham Falls Creek News).
One of those tows was the notorious Brockhoff Poma.
Like its contemporary at Falls Creek, the International Poma, Brockhoff rose steeply out of the valley and came with its own bend in the line (albeit not as sharp as the bend on International!).
Often difficult to get to and plagued by lift lines, the Brockhoff Poma ran for 13 years on an alignment from the bottom of the current day Slalom Gully, up Brockhoff run, around the edge of Blue Snake and up to the ridge near the top of Cornice.
Replacing the poma with a chair provided the opportunity to reset the alignment to allow one lift to serve the entire valley below the road, changing the way the resort was skied for good.
The installation of the chair was combined with massive earthworks and tree removal that completely altered the shape of Slalom Gully plus established one of Hotham's most utilised and beloved runs, Imagine.
And so it came to pass that early in the season of 1987 the Heavenly Valley chair officially opened to an enthusiastic crowd, complete with a parade of flag waving ski instructors, coloured flares, and a bevy of released balloons.
Greg Doyle, founder of Powderhounds.com, was taking photos on the day and remembers it well.
He reflects on the impact of its installation, 'Heavenly Valley is the lift that changed Mt Hotham for good. It changed the mountain from being for beginners and experts only, to being for everyone – all abilities.'
These days, even after 35 years of operation, once Heavenly Valley (HV) chair opens for the season, it feels as though Hotham fully comes alive.
Hopefully you know the feeling: fresh snow on the deck + cold temperatures + no wind + HV open = a super exciting morning ahead.
Whether it is laps on Imagine, top to bottom runs on Cornice & Snake, long loops combining Mother Johnsons, Gully Cat Walk and Slalom, powder in Peach Bowl, bumps on Brockhoff, trees below the Hoff Hut or steeps on Lindsays, HV provides some of Australia's best skiing.
Wonder when the chair will be replaced by a high–speed, hooded, detachable, eight–seat chair with heated seats?
Keep dreaming ...... they are free!
