This week's new snowfalls of more than 50cm are helping the mountain to take shape for the annual Hotham Alpine Resort Women's Ski Week. Taking place next week from July 29 to August 2, the specially designed female-only ski instruction program guarantees participants a whole lot of fun plus the opportunity to improve skiing skills and technique. With no males in sight and no screaming kids wanting to ski faster than you, Hotham Women's Ski Week is designed to help women who are ready to improve their form, learn new skills and advance their skiing.
 
Under the guidance of experienced female instructors, the Women's Ski Week is designed for women by women with new techniques being learnt in a fun and supportive environment.
 
Not only do women ski differently to men, they learn differently too. According to Hotham instructor Heidi Ettlinger, "Women value listening, communicating and participating in a non-critical and supportive environment. Improving skills often involves moving out of your comfort zone and taking risks in a less stressful environment."
 
"Men care more about who gets down the hill first without doing it in style. Force combined with competitive drive factor causes them to charge down the hill without a care for carving the perfect turn. Women approach the snow in a more technical manner, wanting to get it right with every turn" explains Ettlinger. Ettlinger is Hotham's top female instructor and is also a member of the American National Instructors Demonstration Team (PSIA). She has run Women's Week programs around the world over the past 20 years.
 
At Hotham Women's Week, each day includes six hours of instruction where participants will learn how to tackle the steepness of a trail and overcome changing snow conditions. The program is open to intermediate level and above with an emphasis on small groups. Also included in the program is a welcome breakfast, with Ocean Spray cranberry juice of course, plus a group lunch on day one. Participants receive a 30 minute massage at Hotham's White Spa plus optional sessions on women's ski equipment, ski alignment and tuning, fitness, yoga and pilates. An evening presented by Sodashi for skin care is another highlight with a nice goodie bag for the ladies ahead of a presentation evening with Ocean Spray cocktails.
 
To book please email tickets@hotham.com.au or call 03 5759 4450.
 
Price: $759 for 5 day program, $456 for 3 day program (lift ticket additional)
 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Hepzibah Cook

Account Executive

Hausmann Communications
T: 02 8353 5763

E: hepzibah.cook@hausmann.com.au

Gina Woodward

Head of Sales & Marketing - Ski, Merlin Entertainments Group
T: 0400 223 733

E: gina.woodward@merlinentertainments.com.au

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment, and has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. Europe's Number 1 and the world's second- largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 94 attractions, seven hotels/two holiday villages in 21 countries and across four continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 50 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 20,000 employees.

Merlin currently has thirteen attractions in Australia and New Zealand including the stunning Hotham and Falls Creek Alpine Resorts in Victoria; WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo and WILD LIFE Hamilton Island; Madame Tussauds in Sydney; Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures and Otway Fly Treetop Adventures & Zip Line; the Sydney Tower Eye & SKYWALK; and SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium, Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary, Melbourne Aquarium, Underwater World in Mooloolaba, Queensland; Kelly Tarlton's SEA LIFE Aquarium in Auckland, underlining the company's position as the world's biggest global aquarium operator. Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.