Update from Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board | 17 June 2020 Update from Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board - 17 June 2020 Dear stakeholder, Once again, many thanks to everyone for your patience and support during these recent weeks while we have awaited confirmation about changes to public health guidelines and also more information from Mount Hotham Skiing Company about how lift pass purchases will work. We have received many questions about how the Resort Entry permit process and lift pass purchases will be coordinated for the 2020 season. As you are aware, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health guidelines, we need to manage the number of people within the Mt Hotham resort boundary, and also ensure contact tracing in the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case within the resort. One of the processes we established just before the Queen’s Birthday long weekend is management of the Resort Entry permit system. This process will continue throughout the season for as long as required, and we thank everyone for understanding why this process is important and supporting us by following it. Additional Resort Entry season permits will be released Now that we have had some time to assess the interest in Resort Entry season permits for 2020, we have determined that we can release a limited number of Resort Entry season permits. People interested in purchasing these season permits must apply via a form that will be provided upon email request to mailto:mhar@mthotham.com – it will not be possible to purchase these additional season permits from Alpine Easy Access. This will enable us to assess applications on a case-by-case basis. Season permit registration dates extended Season permit holders can now register their visits up until 20 July 2020. No change to Multi-Day Resort Entry permits People wishing to stay overnight at Mt Hotham will continue to be able to buy Resort Entry Multi-Day permits online, in advance, as per the current process. There is no change to this process. In addition, people entering the resort after 3pm for a multi-day stay (ie staying overnight) do not have to pay for resort entry for the day they arrive. However, people arriving after 3pm and not staying overnight (ie. leaving the resort same day) now do have to pay resort entry for that day, to enable effective capacity management. Single Day Resort Entry permits will still be restricted but aligned to lift passes We will continue to manage the number of Resort Entry Single Day permits depending on demand and the public health guidelines that are in force. However, if visitors buy a single day lift pass, they will be able to buy a single day Resort Entry permit via the Alpine Easy Access system, as long as the lift pass is purchased first. Purchasers will be issued with a confirmation number when they buy their lift pass, which will then be validated within the Alpine Easy Access website. Our system has been upgraded to enable this functionality. Tobogganing available from 22 June Tobogganing will be available from 22 June should conditions allow but visitors will need to book their session in advance. Session times will be 1.5 hours long and only a limited number of tickets per session will be available to ensure effective social distancing. Tobogganing sessions must be booked on the Alpine Easy Access website, and links will be provided by the end of this week on both Alpine Easy Access and the Hotham website to enable this. Book the big 3 before you arrive Given the extra planning and coordination required this season due to capacity limitations, our communication to visitors will be that we strongly recommend that they book in advance online for the three key components of their visit to avoid disappointment:
For example, if people are interested in booking a multi-day stay, we recommend starting with booking a lift pass, which will be in limited supply this year, then finding accommodation. Lift passes are sold subject to the updated Vail Resorts Terms and Conditions, so please review these before buying so you fully understand your options if you can’t book accommodation. Food and beverage options Our restaurants, bars and takeaways will be operating as per current public health guidelines, with takeaway and dine-in available at various establishments. We encourage our visitors to support them but please check with them to confirm their offerings and processes for this season. Planning in advance is suggested due to potential delays, and our website will be updated over the next few days with information from each establishment about their operating information. Stay safe We ask everyone to help support our season by continuing to follow Victorian Government public health guidelines: practice good hygiene (regular handwashing), maintain physical distancing (stay 1.5 metres from other people), stay home if you are feeling unwell, and get tested if you have symptoms. |