Thredbo has announced plans to open its resort for the 2020 season, days after Victoria confirmed when it would see visitors returning to the slopes.
It comes as Australian's major ski resorts welcomed news of regional travel restrictions easing across New South Wales and Victoria, paving the way for the opening of the 2020 season.
Across both states, many alpine communities surrounding the ski resorts are hopeful of a tourism boost following devastating losses from the recent horror bushfires.
But none will be open for skiing by the traditional start date of the Queen's Birthday long weekend.
And with strict social distancing rules in place, those who do head to the ski fields will see big changes to normal operating procedures.
Visitors might have to bring their own helmets and clothing and should expect longer queues for lifts and potentially no group lessons.
"Resorts are going to manage very carefully the numbers of people who come up to the resorts," chief executive of the Australian Ski Areas Association, Colin Hackworth, said.
"Social distancing will be maintained at all times so, for example, a quad chair, you will ride alone or with family members."
The ski industry employs about 23,000 people, many on a seasonal basis in jobs such as instructors, ski hire technicians, waiters, chefs and cleaners.
NEW SOUTH WALES
While regional travel will be allowed in NSW from June 1, there has not been a start date set for the 2020 season.
Thredbo
Thredbo has announced plans to reopen its resort for the 2020 season, confirming visitors will be welcomed back from June 22.
The date is in line with the reopening of ski fields across Victoria.
Thredbo Resort General Manager Stuart Diver said the resort was looking forward to welcoming back visitors but warned it "will look quite different to previous years".
"We would really appreciate if guests could exercise patience as we navigate through the season and play their part in respecting social distancing requirements," Mr Diver said.
"We'll be communicating all safety messages to our guests prior to arrival and remind guests they should not visit the resort if they are unwell.
"After such a challenging start to 2020 with the bushfires and now COVID-19, we are so pleased to open and we're confident we will continue to deliver Australia's best skiing and snowboarding this winter."
To enable the resort to open for skiing and snowboarding, Thredbo will be implementing a revised operating model that includes reduced daily capacity limits by up to 50 per cent and introducing a range of social distancing and sanitisation measures.
"On the mountain, daily capacity will be limited to enable the resort to open under the Government restrictions. As a result, all guests will need to pre-purchase day lift passes or multi-day passes prior to arrival," Thredbo management said in a statement today.
Other measures include 1.5-metre "ski tip to tail" social distancing in lift queues and a limit of two per quad chair, two per gondola cabin and one per T-bar.
"Given the limited capacity, it is expected that skiers and snowboarders will incur wait times similar to a normal season," the statement said.
"In addition, only private skiing and snowboarding lessons are able to be offered.
"Thredboland will be unable to open at the time of the season opening, but this will continue to be monitored as restrictions ease. Restaurants and bars will operate in alignment with Government restrictions as they continue to evolve."
Perisher
Vail Resorts, the US company which owns Perisher, said it welcomed the opening of regional travel but "the industry is continuing to work with the government and we hope to share our opening date plans with you soon".
"Vail Resorts is closely monitoring the progress of COVID-19 in Australia. In preparing for the 2020 winter season, first and foremost we are committed to protecting the health and safety of our guests, employees and communities," it said.
"Our plans for the season will continue to be informed by advice from public health authorities and all government orders and regulations relating to resort operations. As the season approaches, we will advise of any planned changes to our operations."
Charlotte Pass
In a statement online Charlotte Pass said it was "continuing to work developing COVIDSafe Operating plans for our unique operations to ensure we are ready and safe to open for the 2020 season".
VICTORIA
The start of the snow season in Victoria will begin on June 22, two weeks later than usual.
Falls Creek
The resort will be open on the long weekend, but visitors will be required to pre-purchase a resort entry pass online and carry wheel chains.
But the ski fields will remain closed, along with most of the other facilities and services that usually mark the formal commencement of the season.
In a statement online, the Victorian Alpine Resorts said it was working on COVID-safe operating plans, including capacity management, traceability, cleaning and hygiene, accommodation, food and beverage and transportation.
"There is much to be done before the resorts can provide their usual services including downhill skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing, and the resort communities are looking forward to welcoming visitors from 22 June 2020," it said in a statement.
Further information specific to Falls Creek Resort will be released via the website shortly.
Mount Hotham
The Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board is currently working with operators to determine the operational details about how the season will be implemented in line with the public health guidelines.
It will be open over the Queen's Birthday long weekend but it will be "a low-key affair".
"Those looking to travel to Mt Hotham over the Queen's Birthday weekend and until the skifield operations commence will be required to pay a resort entry fee of $35 per vehicle, and will also need to carry diamond pattern wheel chains to enable safe access," Mt Hotham's website states.
"During this period, the ski field will be closed to downhill skiing and snowboarding. Mt Hotham's toboggan slope will also be closed and tobogganing will not be permitted in the resort.
"However, the resort's cross country trails will be open in alignment with recreational trails around Victoria, albeit under a reduced grooming regime and with limited Ski Patrol support."
Mt Buller and Mt Stirling
Management for Mt Buller and Mt Stirling said both resorts were "working to a target opening date of 22 June".
"We are a very agile industry well adapted to the uncertainty of snow seasons, and are working on the detailed plans to open the resort in accordance with the government guidelines around coronavirus (COVID-19).
"We will need to limit guest volumes in resort to maintain physical distancing, there will be rigid cleaning and sanitation protocols in place, our international staff will sadly not be travelling to work with us this year and our local mountain staff numbers reduced. "This means that the full range of products and services normally associated with the alpine resorts will not be available in 2020."
Baw Baw
The resort is currently open but not for ski activities. Management has welcomed the reopening of the ski season from June 22, adding "Mt Baw Baw is currently making preparations to ensure we will be able to provide snow activities from this date".
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