Overview
When the Victorian and NSW Governments both announced that regional travel within each state would be allowed from June 1, we immediately started dreaming of and organising winter getaways. But there was still one unknown hindering our plans: the states' ski resorts had not yet announced their official opening dates. Thankfully, today, Friday, May 29, they finally have.
All of Victoria's and NSW's major skiing and snowboarding resorts will be open by the end of June, with each snowy outpost announcing its launch date in the past two days. They won't be opening in time for the Queen's Birthday long weekend, but it's time to lock in some winter escapes after that.
In NSW, Thredbo is planning to open on June 22, followed by Perisher on June 24 and Charlotte Pass on June 26. Unfortunately, Selwyn Snow Resort in Kosciuszko National Park will remain closed due to severe damage caused by this year's devastating bushfires.
The NSW resorts announced their reopening following Deputy Premier John Barilaro's statement yesterday that the alpine region was allowed to open from June 22.
https://twitter.com/JohnBarilaroMP/status/1265779290764787713
In Victoria, following Premier Daniel Andrews earlier announcement that its snowfields could also reopen on June 22, Hotham and Falls Creek are both set to open on June 24, and Mount Buller is aiming for a June 22 start.
When the resorts do open, though, they won't be exactly like you remember. As well as having to abide by each state's public gathering and social distancing requirements, resorts will be implementing their own COVID-19 safe plans, which are set to include the likes of restrictions on lessons and equipment hire, and required pre-purchasing of lift tickets.
In a statement released today, Vail Resorts, which manages Perisher, Hotham and Falls Creek, said it was developing a COVID-19 Safe Operating Plan 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".
Charlotte Pass and Mount Buller have both announced they will be releasing similar plans, while Thredbo has already released a range of restrictions, which include no group lessons (but private lessons are OK), a 50 percent capacity and limits of two people per quad chair and one per T-bar.
To help you plan your getaways, we've rounded up the best ski-in ski-out chalets in NSW and our favourite snow activities in Victoria.
For more information about NSW and Victoria's snow resorts' plans for the 2020 season, head to the relevant resort website.
Top images: Perisher by Vail Resorts