Mt. Hotham (VIC), Australia – A day after Perisher kicked off the Australian snow season in New South Wales, Victoria’s Mt. Hotham is set to do the same on Saturday.

Light snow was falling at Mt. Hotham on Friday with the temperature hovering a few degrees below freezing. The mountain was bare less than a week ago, but 29cm of snowfall and snowmaking efforts have turned the resort white heading into the opening weekend.

Hotham will start things off on Saturday with three lifts running – Summit Trainer, Big D and Upper Playground. The Big D will open at 7 a.m. for live crosses to Channel Seven’s Weekend Sunrise program. The other lifts will open at 8:30 a.m.

Tickets will be priced at AUD$49 for adults, AUD$39 for youth and AUD$24 for kids. A one day Learn to Ski program (lift & lesson) is AUD$79 for an adult, AUD$69 for youth and AUD$59 for kids.

Snowsports Lessons will be  available for all levels from the Hotham Central Snowsports Centre for adults and youths (group lessons at 10 a.m. only) with kids half day program lessons (morning only at 9:15 a.m.) at the Big D, Kids Snowzone. Private lessons are also available and required reservations may be made by calling Adult Snowsports at 5759 4450 or the Kids Snowzone on 5759 4451.

Hotham’s opening weekend will also feature new chefs, new menus, live music and the Dinner Plain Food & Wine Festival.