Snow Season Update | Halt on Ski Lift Operations

To all our Stakeholders, Village Residents, Snowsport and Mountain Adventure Enthusiasts,

Irrespective of Vail Resorts decision to suspend lifting operations at Falls Creek, The Falls Creek Alpine Resort Management Board (FCARMB) has resolved to continue a range of activations during the period up until August 19^th.

We are devastated for our local businesses, staff and all our guests, that such action has been necessary to respond to the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria.

The safety of our community and workforces has been a priority this season as well. FCARMB continues to work with all its operators ensuring the resort is in a position to provide a COVIDSafe environment, nonetheless.

The snow industry is resilient, has managed adversity and dealt with the challenges of a fickle snow god. The additional challenge presented by the restrictions on our Australia wide user group adds a layer of complication to the operational and safety considerations.

FCARMB will continue to operate under its resort COVIDSafe plan for the remainder of the season. With guests coming to the resort, they will be required via the resort entry portal, to provide their details for contract tracing purposes and for capacity management.

Resort activations will include;

• Cross country trail grooming, albeit a reduced number of kilometres, the trail will provide in excess of 30+ kilometres XC terrain.
• Tobogganing and snowplay will be activated at the Windy Corner Toboggan slope – a booking platform and management out of Windy Corner will be initiated as soon as conditions permit.
• Ski Patrol will continue to provide ski field safety and be available for assistance to resort visitors.
• Transport services within the village (excluding the village and Bogong High Plains shuttles), including maintenance and management of white roads for ski in ski out (conditions permitting).
• Childcare will remain open to residents and staff.
• Supporting our licensed tour operators with the efforts to provide unique and inspirational experiences in the resort
  • Snowmobile Tours
  • Back Country Tours with Steve Lee
• Continued promotion, activation and support for all on mountain operators via our website (fallscreek.com.au) and our social media platforms.

Access to the resort will continue to be provided by our snow clearing team, keeping both the Bogong High Plains road and village car parks safe for visitors, staff and our community.

FCARMB is committed to providing a resort experience that is safe and accessible. Until further notice however the following services will not be running:

• The Falls Creek Medical Centre will close from July 12^th, until August 19^th.
• Ambulance Victoria will not be located in the resort until further notice.

Kind Regards,

Stuart Smythe

CEO | Falls Creek Resort Management

FAQs

Falls Creek Resort Entry

Falls Creek Resort continues remain open to visitors. From June 6 – October 4 2020 a resort entry pass must be purchased by visitors to the resort. Resort Entry fees are an important part of resort operations, funding essential services such as Snow Clearing, Guest Services, Public Spaces and Shelters, Waste and Environment and much more.

All vehicle resort entry passes must be purchased online and prior to arrival to the resort.  When purchasing a resort entry pass online, guests will be required to confirm who will be travelling in their vehicle, including name and telephone number, to allow for contact traceability. This is a DHHS government directive and a condition of entry to the resort at this time.

Resort entry passes must be printed in advance of arrival to the resort. This pass must be presented at the resort entrance at Howman’s Gap (ticket box) and placed on the dashboard while parked within the resort. Resort staff will ensure that vehicles within the resort are authorised to be there during the nominated period. Those not abiding to these conditions will be subject to an infringement notice.

If you purchase your resort entry pass but do not bring printed confirmation, you will forfeit the online discount and be required to pay the difference of $6.50 per day at the gate.

Day Pass Resort Entry Refunds

Those guests who have purchased a vehicle Resort Entry Pass may request a refund via an online refund request form. Please visit the Resort Entry page to access the link; https://www.fallscreek.com.au/resortentry/

Resort Entry Season Pass Holders

2020 Resort Entry Season Pass holders are required to register the dates of their visit online. There are no limitations to Season Pass holders’ visitation. However, registration of vehicle and passenger details must be completed prior to arrival at the resort. Confirmation of this booking must be printed and presented at the Howman’s Gap resort entrance and the paperwork must also be displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle when parked within the resort.

This change in process is to ensure compliance with contact traceability within the resort and is a government directive and a condition of entering the resort in 2020. Season Pass holders do not have to make any further payments when registering through the online portal.

Resort Entry Season Pass Sales

Further sales of Resort Entry Season Passes will be reactivated to cater for our regional visitors. More details to follow.

Early Bird Season Passes are still valid for the 2020 snow season, pending final payment (if not already paid in full). If a refund or credit towards the 2021 season have been requested the season pass is no longer valid.

Resort Entry Season Pass Refunds

Resort Entry Season Pass Holders may request a refund for any pass purchased for the 2020 snow season, including 2019-20 FOMO pass holders. All Pass Holders will be sent further details and a link to request a refund. Please complete this online form.

We endeavour to process your refund as quickly as possibly and thank you for your patience and understanding

Over 65 Resort Entry

Discounted resort entry for guests over 65 years of age have been suspended for the remainder of the season.

No Pre-Purchased Resort Entry Pass

Guest who have not purchased a resort entry pass online or season pass holders that have not registered their intended visitation dates online, will not be able to enter the resort. This is due to contract tracing and capacity-management measures that will be in place. To avoid disappointment at the gate, you must book online.

Lift Passes and Snowsport Lessons

Please visit www.skifalls.com.au for the latest information regarding lift passes, snow sport lessons and rentals.

EPIC Australia Pass

Please visit www.epicaustraliapass.com.au for further details regarding the EPIC Australia pass and refund options.

Snow play

Snow play and tobogganing will not be available until the 13^th of July. A free booking system will be in place and timeslots will be available via our website soon. A resumption of these activities at the Windy Corner toboggan area is snow dependent.

Cross Country

Regular infrastructure, such as the Windy Corner day shelter, XC rentals and lessons, are open. Grooming of XC trails will operate providing there is sufficient snow coverage to provide adequate depth for grooming operations.

Food & Beverage Options

Please visit the What's On Guide on our website to see which venues will be open and their operating hours.

DHHS restrictions will be in place within these venues, as applicable to all hospitality venues within Victoria such a pre-booking, registering guest details and maximum guests per sitting time.

Please continue to monitor the NEWS sections of our website or subscribe to our newsletter below to stay informed.