The Dinner Plain ski area is very small! It consists of one little groomed downhill ski slope serviced by the Cobungra platter lift, which is only 175 metres long, so there’s little chance of getting thigh burn on the way down!

The Dinner Plain ski slope aka the Cobungra Slope is rated green and is ideal for beginners. The slope is mostly gentle and it has a very mellow run-out so you’ll slow down before getting to the lift if you haven’t quite perfected your snow plough!

The Dinner Plain ski area is operated by Mt Hotham and the opening hours are variable and dependent on snow conditions and staffing levels. Often the lift is just open in the morning whilst in the afternoons the Cobungra slope morphs into another tobogganing slope. Night skiing at Dinner Plain used to be available, but it seems that Hotham wasn’t finding this a financially viable operation and it no longer occurs.

If the Cobungra Platter lift is running (ie the Cobungra slope is open for skiing and snowboarding), do not toboggan on the slope.

Dinner Plain Snow and Weather

One limitation of Dinner Plain skiing is that the snow cover is not very reliable because of the low elevation (1,520 metres), so the Cobungra slope isn’t always open. Thankfully there are snowmaking facilities, so at least the snowmakers can partially make up for what Mother Nature can’t provide.

The Dinner Plain ski run is rather sheltered from the elements. Sometimes the weather can be foul up at Hotham and it’s blowing a gale, whilst at Dinner Plain it is reasonably protected from the prevailing winds and fog.

Lift Tickets

Mt Hotham lift tickets are valid at Dinner Plain or you can purchase lift passes just for DP. These can be purchased online and the Mountain Access Card can be picked up from the ski slope public shelter. The Dinner Plain lift tickets are rather cheap, although you don’t get much value for money.

Other Logistics

There is a heated day shelter at the base, which is ideal for parents who don’t want to brave the cold or for the kids to come in for a rest. There are BBQs outside if you want to do a cook up and tease everyone else with the great aromas.

If your Dinner Plain accommodation isn’t within easy walking distance, there’s a car park right at the base of the slope so it’s super convenient to just drive there.

You can hire all your equipment in the main part of the village, and you can book a ski instructor via the Hotham website.