Australia’s most accessible alpine resort will be even easier to get to in 2011.

From the Mt Hotham Website

JUST IN TIME FOR WINTER: THE DRIVE TO HOTHAM IS NOW EASIER THAN EVER

Australia’s most accessible alpine resort will be even easier to get to in 2011. Hotham - not content to be the Southern Hemisphere’s only alpine resort with its own airport – will launch an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) resort entry system for smoother road access this winter.

For the first time, Hotham visitors will be able to pre-purchase resort entry via www.alpineeasyaccess.com.au (including from a smartphone) and travel straight through to Hotham.

One less stop on the trip means guests can get up the mountain quicker – exciting news for the estimated 30,000 carloads of people that will travel to Hotham this coming snow season!

The customised technology utilises infrared cameras to photograph guests’ vehicle number plates when they enter the resort, software then reads and matches the plates against guests’ pre-purchased entry.

Hotham will be the first alpine destination in Australia to implement this innovative technology, reinforcing the resort’s commitment to providing the best possible experience for the approximately 150,000 visitors who are expected to travel to Hotham this year, whether for the thrill of skiing or boarding the mountain’s incredible terrain, or the chance to enjoy some “R & R”, après ski entertainment or the mountain’s stunning landscapes.

Hotham representative, Gina Woodward, explains “The new automated resort entry system offers Hotham guests an even greater level of service and convenience, while providing the most practical and cost effective solution to the mountain’s increased patronage.”

“Hotham is proud to be pioneering this new development in the alpine tourism industry. I can confirm that the new resort entry system has been thoroughly tested in Hotham’s alpine weather conditions and has proven to operate successfully in heavy snow storms and low visibility, so we are all systems go for a wonderful winter!” says Woodward.

Visitors to Hotham Alpine Resort without internet or smartphone access can purchase ticketless resort entry over the phone, at off mountain providers including Hoys in Harrietville and Billies in Omeo or at the Resort Management Board Office in Hotham.

A $250,000 joint venture between the Mount Hotham Resort Management Board and technology providers Sensor Dynamics and PayByPhone, the new entry system is live now and ready for the opening of the snow season on 11 June.

Resort entry fees ensure the Mount Hotham Resort Management Board can continue to provide important guest services including ski patrol, village snow clearing, free village bus transportation, traffic and car parking management, cross country trail grooming and waste management.

Special offer: Visit www.alpineeasyaccess.com.au prior to the start of the snow season on 11 June 2011 to receive a free child pass* to visit the majestic and regal King Penguins at the Melbourne Aquarium.