Industry News
For the first time ever, people have the chance to own a piece of Hotham history, with 57 chairs from Hotham’s first ever chairlift, The Playground Chair, going up for auction.
“This is a very special chairlift, Hotham’s first – a two-seater that opened in 1969 that was the main access lift back to the village until 1993 when the Village Chair opened. What’s even better, the auction is for a great cause with all money raised to be donated to local charities, community groups and environmental initiatives through our EpicPromise Foundation.”
Nathan Butterworth, VP + GM of Mount Hotham Skiing Company
The auction will combine both in-person and online options to ensure everyone has an opportunity to participate. The in-person auction will be held on Opening Weekend at The Bird, Mt Hotham, Saturday, 10 June from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. with John and Lachlan Castran of Castran Real Estate auctioning off at least 15 chairs to the Hotham community.
All remaining chairs will then be released for online auction via the Givergy platform on Sunday June 11, with bidding closing on 16 June. Chairs won at auction will only be available for collection at Mt Hotham Airport following the conclusion of the snow season, between 2 – 12 October (Monday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.).
“The Playground Chairlift holds great memories for people who used it as children, graduating from the Big D or Summit and crossing the road to explore a new area of the mountain,” said Nathan. “Now adults, we’re expecting strong interest and can’t wait to see the creative ways our highest bidders will use these chairlifts in their businesses, public spaces or just at their homes for a talking point around the barbecue with family and friends.”
EpicPromise Foundation grants are open from 16 May to 31 May and focus on youth development or environmental sustainability initiatives in the Alpine Shire region.
Hotham is located in the Victorian Alps of the Great Dividing Range, approximately 4.5-hours by car from Melbourne. Hotham offers 320 hectares of inbounds ski terrain with 13 chair lifts, 3 terrain parks, and 35km of cross country skiing. There is also extensive access to the backcountry.
