Victorian ski resorts confident snow season will go ahead with social distancing measures
Despite significant snowfalls at Victorian resorts, the state’s $1 billion ski season is still on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. So what’s in store for skiers and snowboarders?
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Victoria’s $1 billion snow season could be saved with resorts quietly confident skiers and snowboarders will be allowed to hit the slopes this year.
Lift operators and other mountain businesses have been preparing to welcome customers according to strict social distance rules to prevent any coronavirus outbreaks.
However, despite significant snow falls at resorts like Falls Creek, it is still not clear if the season will start on the traditional Queen’s Birthday long weekend next month.
Holidaying involving overnight stays is still banned in Victoria.
Australian Ski Areas Association chief Colin Hackworth said an Australian Institute of Sport report showed outdoor sports posed far less health risk than indoor ones.
“We are hoping that with snow sports we can move to having appropriate gatherings of people as soon as possible,” he said.
Mr Hackworth said a Covid19-safe operating plan would soon go to authorities, with resorts preparing for social distancing in lift queues, hire shops, ski schools and other mountain venues.
“Victorian ski resorts provide economic benefit of $1.1 billion and 10,000 jobs annually. It’s a healthy outdoor activity, and with appropriate social distancing we want to be part of the solution,” he said.
Some private ski lodges have started to take bookings for the season, and are also looking at health and safety plans for accommodation and common areas.
However, their operations are likely to be covered in any general approved plan for resorts.
Mr Hackworth said resorts were expecting to get further news on the season at the end of May.
“We can’t make a firm call on Queen’s Birthday, we have to be patient for a bit longer and respect and support the government’s position,” he said.
“Clearly in Victoria they are going to rely on widespread testing data that will give the confidence they need.”
“We are very hopeful that the ski season will commence in the near future, but we can’t say exactly when.”
Mt Buller, which has 30cm of natural snow, said on its website that the latest government advice was that “outdoor activities and exercise should only be with groups of family and friends of less than 10 and social spacing is to be observed”.
“The latest update does indicate that day trips are now possible, although they clarify, ‘You can drive to a location to exercise. As always though, Victorians are being asked to use common sense when it comes to travelling.’”
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