No skiing or snowboarding for snow field’s opening weekend creates cancellation worry

A grim photo has emerged on the eve of of an important opening weekend for tourism in Australia, and it has many worried about their plans.

The lack of snowfall on the Australian slopes has sparked a wave of concern among holiday-makers, and prompted at least one resort to cancel skiing for the opening weekend.

It’s news that should concern almost all Australians because, across all states and territories, the Australian ski industry contributes over two billion dollars annually to the national economy as Australians make 2.5 million trips to resorts each year.

Just days out from opening its gates, Thredbo Resort on the NSW Snowy Mountains announced via social media there would be “no skiing or snowboarding this weekend due to a lack of snow”.

“Mother nature is a little late to the party this year,” the resort wrote.

“We’re still offering a credit for all lift passes, rentals and lessons pre-purchased for 10-12 June 2023.”

Thredbo Resort announced a slight change of plans for its opening weekend, thanks to low snowfall. Picture: Facebook / Thredbo Resort

The announcement was the disappointing cherry on top of a fairly grim run-up to the snow season’s King’s Birthday opening long weekend.

Unlike the 2022 season, when skiers were treated to an early snowfall last year, pictures from Australia’s major snow fields paint a very different picture this year and have raised alarm for many planning a getaway this weekend.

Most have taken time to vent their concerns on social media, questioning whether it was worth making the drive to a snowless snow field, and if they should cancel their bookings.

Thredbo was covered in snow for its 2022 opening weekend. Picture: Thredbo Resort

In 2023, Thredbo’s slopes are much more exposed than dusted in powdery snow. Picture: ski.com.au

But Sydney-based father of two Justin Randle is warning of cancellation policies that could leave them without a holiday and down thousands of dollars, like he is.

Mr Randle, a media consultant from Randwick in the city’s east, made the decision to cancel even before Thredbo called of skiing this weekend.

“I was looking at the weather leading up to the weekend going hang on, this mightn’t turn out so well,” he told news.com.au.

He decided the eight-hour drive snowless snowfield was not worth it and contacted the accommodation provider – Thredbo Ski Accommodation (TSA), operated by Forbes Styne Real Estate (FSRE) – to cancel their two-bedroom apartment, which was booked and paid for in April.

But doing so has cost Mr Randle $2200 – the full deposit – because he cancelled within 60 days of his arrival.

Holiday-makers are considering whether or not to cancel their bookings at Thredbo and other ski resorts. Picture: Supplied.

“I would’ve thought seven days or 10 days might be more reasonable. Most hotels, it just dawned on me, say 24 hours. But two months, are you kidding me?” Mr Randle said.

“I understand the people who own these properties need to pay a mortgage and bills, and run it as a business for a few months of the year, so they can’t have people cancelling a day or two before.”

But he said he thought he might just cop a “nice fee” for the inconvenience and the booking be postponed, not an “outright cancellation … and 100 per cent forfeiture”.

The FSRE cancellation policy states that bookings cancelled outside 60 days of arrival will have to forfeit 20 per cent of the non-refundable deposit. Guests that cancel within 60 days, however, will “forfeit the total amount that has been paid”.

In an email to Mr Randle, seen by news.com.au, TSA said the only way he would get a refund is if the property was “successfully rebooked by a new traveller for the same dates”.

“If the property is successfully rebooked then you become eligible for a full refund on all payments, less any originally paid credit card fees,” the email read.

The email sent to Mr Randle from Thredbo Ski Accommodation. (highlights added). Picture: Supplied

Mr Randle conceded he should have been more “sceptical about the risk” of a no-snow opening weekend, but said he was simply getting in on pre-booking bargains spruiked by Thredbo marketing.

“I’ve been getting emails for months [saying] don’t miss out, It’s going to be a great season, it’s going to be huge, we’ve got full cover, we’re going to open lifts early, blah, blah, blah.”

He was concerned he was not the only person stung by these policies, and called for winter accommodation providers to offer a “more equal share of the risk” for cancellations prompted by Australia’s fickle snow season.

“If they [ski resorts] want people to book in advance and take the risk, they need to give some sort of comfort, some sort of risk mitigation for visitors,” Mr Randle said.

“Something a bit more reasonable than: it’s less than two months away, tough luck, cough up.”

News.com.au approached both TSA and FSRE for comment on Mr Randle’s claims. Neither responded by deadline.

Holiday makers must forfeit all of their deposit on Thredbo Ski Accommodation rooms if they cancel their booking less than two months out of arriving. Picture: Supplied.

Thredbo Resort did respond to our questions about their cancellation policies, and address the concerns raised by Mr Randle.

Resort spokesman Richie Carroll said though he is sympathetic to Mr Randle’s frustration, TSA is separate from the resort’s accommodation, and Thredbo’s cancellation policies were “fully compliant with any other accommodation provider that is outside the company and what we own”.

But, he said, any cancellations for pre-booked resort accommodation – including the Thredbo Alpine Hotel and Alpine Apartments – after the no-skiing update would be honoured with a credit.

Mr Carroll said the team was “proud” of their decision to make a call on skiing and snowboarding early enough to let people adjust their plans.

“It’s disappointing that we can’t kick off with snow for the weekend, but we have a massive offering of events across the weekend that lightens the load,” he said.

That line-up includes scenic rides on the Merritts Gondola and Kosciuszko Chairlift, on-mountain dining, ice sculpting, meet-and-greet opportunities with Winter Olympians, fireworks, bobsleighs, bungees, and a huge concert on Saturday night.

Mr Carroll did say, however, there were “promising” forecasts for snowfall and snow-making conditions in the seven-day forecast, so visitors should stay tuned for updates on the resort website and social media.

“We look forward to welcoming all guests to enjoy non-stop entertainment this weekend and we can’t wait to deliver skiing and snowboarding as soon as conditions allow.”

On Thursday afternoon, Thredbo Resort was the only Australian snow field to announce it had cancelled activities due to low snowfall.

A number of resorts told news.com.au they had no worries about the low falls, most saying they had dozens of snow-making machines ready to blow for visitors.