Latest Snow Season Update – Chairlift Operations to begin on the 24th of June

📸 Sarah Hatton

Vail Resorts Season Announcement

Vail Resorts announced on the 29th May 2020 that Falls Creek, Hotham and Perisher in Australia will open for skiing and snowboarding on 24 June for the 2020 snow season, following approval by the New South Wales and Victorian governments. Each resort will enact a COVID-19 Safe Operating Plan developed in consultation with industry and government leaders, which will include social distancing measures, enhanced cleaning protocols and necessary changes to regularly offered programs and services.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to open our resorts for the 2020 snow season, especially given the difficult year endured by our mountain communities, and we take seriously the responsibility we have to keep our employees, guests and communities safe in this new environment,” said Pete Brulisauer, senior vice president and chief operating officer for Vail Resorts, Perisher and Australia. “Delaying our traditional opening from the June Long Weekend to 24 June is intentional to ensure our entire team has the time to fully understand and embrace our new COVID-19 Safe Operating Plan so that we can deliver a safe experience for our guests. We thank our guests in advance for their patience, understanding and cooperation as we all adapt to the new social distancing measures required to allow us to enjoy skiing and snowboarding this season.”

Skiers and snowboarders will only be able to access the resorts with a pre-purchased pass or lift tickets; on-the-day lift ticket purchases will not be available. Social distancing will be carefully managed at each resort, based on the amount of terrain and lifts open. Details about resort operations will be announced in the coming weeks.

As previously communicated with guests, final payment for the 2020 Epic Australia Pass will not be collected on 1 June. More information, as well as any changes that might be made to the pass addressing COVID-19 impacts on our season, will be shared by 15 June. At that time, guests will have the option to request a refund of all payments made towards their 2020 Epic Australia Pass and Pass Refund Protection or move forward with their chosen pass product.

To keep up to date with lift pass updates please visit: https://www.skifalls.com.au/.