Thredbo have announced this morning they will be opening on June 22 for the 2020 ski season after the New South Wales government gave the go ahead.
The resort will operate under a revised model which will have a 50% reduced daily capacity, social distancing and sanitisation measures.
Thredbo released detailed information this morning regarding the season’s operation plans. While restaurants and bars will operate in alignment with Government restrictions as they continue to evolve, but as predicted, the rest of the resort operations will be vastly different to normal.
Thredbo Resort General Manager Stuart Diver says the resort is looking forward to welcoming guests back and has implemented an operating model to allow guests to ski and snowboard this winter.
“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. We will be opening our new Merritts Gondola, Australia’s only alpine gondola, as well as the enhanced ‘Dream Run’ experience with a new snowmaking system installed along with increased car parking.”
Capacity and lift passes
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.
Season Pass holders will be offered the choice of a refund or credit for their pre-purchased passes and will be provided with access to discounted day passes. Thredbo will be communicating with all Season Pass holders by Thursday 4 June in relation to their options.
A portion of the daily inventory of tickets will be allocated to Season Pass holders at the discounted rate. Season Pass holders will also be given access to a program that offers a greater discount on the daily rate the more days that are purchased.
Social distancing and lift lines
Throughout the season, guests will be encouraged to use contactless payment using MyThredbo cards across all Thredbo outlets.
Other measures include 1.5m ‘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.
Ski School
Ski school will also be limited, 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.
What will be closed
Thredbo are still confirming all the finer details of operating their modified snow season but some activities won’t be on offer when they initially open. This includes Thredbo Leisure Centre, terrain parks, Thredbo Seasonal Programs and race training, NASTAR course, guided mountain tours, night skiing and Thursday flare runs, school holiday activities and events that bring together large groups of people.
Sanitisation
The resort has invested in best practice hygiene and sanitisation measures including installing sanitisation stations throughout the resort and has incorporated new procedures to effectively sanitise high use areas including chairlifts, gondola cabins and rental equipment. The resort has also enhanced its stringent approach to cleaning all resort facilities and venues.
Revised products
Thredbo’s revised product offering including day passes, private lessons, ski and snowboard rental and accommodation will be available for pre-purchase from 11.59pm on Wednesday 10 June 2020.
Updated Terms and Conditions of visiting Thredbo will include requirements for guests to comply with COVID-19 restrictions during their visit.
Thredbo is providing a flexible COVID-19 cancellation Policy (terms & conditions apply), allowing a cancellation, change of dates or credit for pre-purchased lift, lesson, rental products and/or accommodation purchased via Thredbo Resort Centre or The Thredbo Alpine Hotel if:
- Thredbo is closed due to COVID-19 or –
- Government policies due to COVID-19 prevent guests from travelling on intended dates.
Check Thredbo’s Covid updates for more information.
