By ALYSON LAMB
The Freeride World Tour will headline July’s events at Hotham, with the resort set to host both the Freeride World Tour 2* Qualifier and Freeride World Tour Junior 2* competitions, anchoring a month of gear testing, grassroots events and budget-friendly après across the mountain.
Running from Wednesday 29 July to Sunday 2 August, the Freeride World Tour events will kick off the 2027 season across a five-day weather window, bringing high-energy freeride competition to Australia’s highest resort.
For Hotham brand and experience coordinator, Claire Talbot, the July calendar reflects the resort’s mix of high-level competition, progression and on-mountain community.
“July brings together a lot of what makes Hotham exciting in winter,” Claire said.
“There’s the return of Freeride World Tour competition, the Junior Freestyle Series throwdown, women’s progression sessions, and demo days that let people test the latest gear on the mountain.”
Ahead of the Freeride World Tour, local and emerging talent will also get their chance in the spotlight.
The Junior Freestyle Series Rail Jam will take place on Friday, 10 July at the Big D Terrain Park, giving Hotham’s junior freestyle skiers and snowboarders the chance to throw down for a share of prizes.
That sense of progression continues on Sunday, 19 July, when Chicks Who Shred returns to Hotham for its annual Shred Session.
Aimed at intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders, the session gives women the chance to push their skills, ride with confidence and connect with others on the mountain.
By the final week of July, the focus shifts to testing what’s next.
Ski Demo Days will run from Monday 27 to Wednesday 29 July, with Black Crows, Volkl and Atomic skis available to try from brand tents at the top of the Village Chair. Rossignol Ski Demo Days will follow from Friday 31 July to Sunday 2 August, giving skiers another chance to take new equipment for a lap before deciding what belongs in their winter set-up.
Snowboarders get their turn from Thursday 30 to Friday 31 July, when the Three Peaks Snowboard Demo Days bring Burton, Nitro, Capita, Salomon, Lib-Tech and Gnu to the mountain.
Those who find a favourite can speak with the teams at One Tree Sports or Boardbox about securing new equipment, with all demo events available to those with a valid lift pass.
Off the snow, Hotham’s bars and restaurants will give visitors plenty of reasons to stick around after the lifts close.
Jack Frost will host daily après sessions with $1 wings and two-for-one cocktails from 4pm to 6pm, while Sir Loins will run Appy Hours from 12pm to 4pm.
Zirky’s will offer afternoon après from 3pm to 5pm, along with its popular Wednesday Schnitzel Night.
Chill Bar Cafe will also continue its weekly Saturday night fundraiser in support of Disabled Wintersport Australia, with raffles, giveaways and music from 4.30pm.
By the time the Freeride World Tour arrives, Hotham’s July calendar will have already moved through park action, women’s progression sessions, demo days and plenty of après.
For anyone heading to the mountain this month, the best plan might be to leave a little room around the lift schedule.