Drew Jolowicz, dropping into the Hotham side-country under an incredible August sunset. Photo: Chris Hocking
Mountainwatch | Photo Journal
In a season like this Hotham comes into its own, the steep terrain and trees the perfect set up for powder days while the wide variety of the terrain offers something for everyone.
For photographers, Hotham is also an incredible place to shoot and given the standard of the local skiers and snowboarders, it is not surprising that some of the best photos of the year were taken there.
Hotham at the start of a new day. Photo: TJ Balon.
It is always hard to edit quality photos down to the final choice for publication, so we’ve shirked our duty and passed it on to master photographer Chris Hocking. Here is his “Photographer’s Choice” of some of the best photos from Hotham this year.
Coen Bennie-Faull planned to take some time off snow this winter and spend more time down the coast surfing. It didn’t quite work that way as the mountains were calling. Easy to see why when 30cms of powder is part of the call! Photo: Chris Hocking
The storm days are the best days. Carter Mills ripping through some deep, dry August powder. Photo: Finnegan Laver
Soft, dry snow and a perfect wind-lip on a clear, cold winter’s day. What else would you do? Ben Kaye, floating backie. Photo: Toshi Pander.
Sometimes it’s hard to get up for for a pre-organised dawn photo shoot, but it is always worth it. Drew Jolowicz and Buff Farnell skiing Heavenly Valley on a perfect morning. Photo: Chris Hocking
Toshi Pander using the rail for some definition on a flat-light day. Photo: Finnegan Laver
Jason Anderson in the Hotham backcountry, possibly contemplating how far he is from his American home. Photo: Dylan Robinson
The period from late June until the last week of August was pretty epic, with weekly top-ups and consistent cold temps. Drew Jolowicz enjoying some July powder as Mount Feathertop looks on. Photo: Chris Hocking
Melanie McCoy finding some peace in the trees on a wild and windy August day. Photo: Finnegan Laver
The day after the storm clears, the terrain re-shaped by the wind and snow light, dry and untouched. Seriously, you can almost hear the hoots from Buff Farnell and Drew Jolowicz as they drop into a backcountry line. Photo: Dylan Robinson
The storms stopped in late August and since then it is has been about spring snow and sessions in the park. Ferdinand Dahl, one September morning. Photo: Toshi Pander
Roope Tonteri made the trip down from Finland for some sunny spring days lapping the Summit park. Photo: Toshi Pander
