Evening Program
What’s On at Night
Friday Night - Meet & Greet
Sponsored by Oz Backcountry
‘There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet’
Get to know other festival go-ers. Meet your new backcountry friends for the weekend and beyond.
Snack food and drinks provided, plus a door prize of Barryvox Avalanche package worth $900 all thanks to Oz Backcountry. Make sure you scan the QR code. Winner announced same night.
VBCF apparel and stickers will be on sale.
When: 6pm - 9pm
Location: Miss Marys (Located downstairs in Hotham Central)
Saturday Night - Outdoor Bar
Sponsored by Bright Brewery and Mountain Planning
Enjoy the alpine atmosphere under the stars on Saturday night with food and drinks from local favourites like Bright Brewery, All Terrain BBQ, and cheese fondue from Alpine Nature Experiences.
Bright Brewery will be pouring a limited edition ‘Backcountry’ pale ale made just for VBCF.
Learn and be inspired from industry backcountry experts. We will be holding ‘Tales and Ales’ speakers sessions inside ‘The Moth’, featuring:
6pm Kyle Boys and Dave Chitty will be seeking feedback on Outdoor NSW/ACT best practice discussion paper for Australian snow industry
7pm Rolf will take us through a typical NSW Helicopter Rescue
7.20pm Owen and Mimi share the success of guiding youth tours at Thredbo
7.45 “Running up that Hill” Mitch Lorkin, who recently completed the challenging ‘Golden Straitjacket’ route from Hotham to Mountain Creek in just over 10 hours skimo style
Attendees on the night can pickup a free showbag with goodies from Wild Magazine, Clif Bars, Fisiocrem, Wild Earth helmet bag and a free beer card and sticker from Bright Brewery.
Repair Cafe - Evan from Terra Rosa Gear will have his sewing machine there. Bring your stuff in for repair or go over to him for some sewing machine gear chat.
VBCF apparel and stickers will be on sale.
Raffle no. 1 is drawn at the end of the evening. Prizes only given out to winners who are there on the night.
When: 5pm - 9pm
Location: Biathlon Building ‘The Moth’ at Whisky Flat, Mount Hotham. Parking is available. Catch the free village bus to stop number 13.
Thank you to our show bag donors:
Sunday Night - ‘People of the Hotham Backcountry’
Sponsored by Patagonia
Renowned adventurers Bill Barker and Buff Farnell will share their stories of Hotham back in the rip roaring 80s. Beau Miles will present a secret film project exclusively for festival attendees about the Hotham community today.
Beau is a Father, YouTuber, author of The Backyard Adventurer, wannabe farmer and maker of stuff from other people's junk Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances, Beau will no longer be able to attend. VBCF and Beau apologies for any inconvenience.
Buff is a Hotham legend, skiing Hotham for over 30 years. Bill Barker doesn’t need any introduction: ski patrol director/ski guide/stalwart of Hotham.
Stephen Whiteside, revealing the tale of Bill Spargo and Evelyn Piper's life in the Australian mountains since 1987.
MCs Anne Chiew & Kelly van den Berg will expertly take you through the evening. Anne is President of the Backcountry Festival and a splitboard tragic. Kelly is an alpine mountain guide, outdoor educator and expedition medic and co-owner of Gippsland Adventure Tours.
Everyone has dinner and drinks at The Genny while listening to talks. Patagonia will provide beer and food for entree.
Repair Cafe - Evan from Terra Rosa Gear will have his sewing machine there. Bring your stuff in for repair or go over to him for some sewing machine gear chat.
Raffle no. 2 is drawn at the end of the evening. Prizes only given out to winners who are there on the night.
VBCF apparel and stickers will be on sale.
When: 6pm to 9pm
Location: The General, located next to the Big D.