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Falls Creek Resort latest from CEO re-2020 season

snow action team 03.06.2020

Here’s the latest from Falls Creek Resort Management CEO Stuart Smythe how the season will operate including FAQs and LWE details.

Our favourite ever Falls shot – Sam Perry made the 2013 cover with this from the legend lensman © Matt Hull / www.themattimage.com

Message from the CEO for Operations 6th – 22nd June

To all our Stakeholders, Village Residents, Snowsport and Mountain Adventure Enthusiasts,

We are excited that the Victorian Government has confirmed that this year the 2020 snow season will commence from the 22nd of June.

The 2020 Snow Season is going to be a little bit different for everyone involved. To help manage the resort in a safe, orderly manner and to ensure all of our guests, staff and stakeholders work within the health guidelines, we will be asking our Falls Creek guests to do a little extra this year when visiting the resort.

This is going to involve a change in the way the resort has traditionally been accessed. This is being done to ensure everyone’s safety and to make sure the industry is putting the health of the resort, our guests, staff and communities at the forefront.

This year – you will need to plan ahead to help achieve the best possible outcomes under the circumstances we are constrained by.

Much has been discussed in relation to capacity and to ensure the spatial limitations, venue limits and guidance are adhered to.

In this context, initial daily limitations will be applied to resort entry, up until June 24th, when then lifts are expected to turn.

Effective from June 6th – June 22nd Resort Management will release 250 day entry passes, per day, for vehicles to enter the resort.

Overnight bookings with confirmed accommodation in Falls Creek Resort will not be limited to resort entry passes.

Season Pass holders will also be required to register their planned trips in advance as well as print out the confirmation from the online booking platform as proof of registering. There will be no limitations to access the resort for season pass holders.

Authorised passholders, mountain staff and residents are not required to register. Further information will be sent to these stakeholders.

In essence – all resort users will need to plan ahead, pre-purchase and we also ask for your help and patience, as we all adjust to this very unusual season.

So:

  • Pre-plan and purchase your lift passes from Falls Creek Ski Lifts
  • Pre-plan, purchase and print your Resort Entry Pass before departing home
  • Pre-plan and book your accommodation (if staying overnight)

The online portal to purchase Resort Entry and register your visit will be available Thursday the 4th of June.

Falls Creek Alpine Resort Management Board (FCARMB) have been working with a range of stakeholders to shape the 2020 Snow Season. Initiatives to ensure the resort and businesses are COVIDSafe includes capacity management throughout the resort and its food & beverage venues, traceability, cleaning and hygiene, accommodation (commercial, shared and staff) and transportation.

It has been a challenging beginning to 2020 for the Falls Creek and surrounding communities. We are preparing for a very different start to the 2020 snow season but working tirelessly to provide the best experience possible within the new norm.

Details regarding the 2020 season’s changes can be found below.

Just like you, we are thankful for the opportunity to hold the snow season, particularly given the circumstances and we look forward to welcoming guests to Falls Creek for Season 2020.

Kind Regards,

Stuart Smythe

CEO | Falls Creek Resort Management

Who is ready to ride Falls © Vail Resorts

Falls Creek Resort 2020 Season FAQs

Queen’s Birthday Weekend

From the Queen’s Birthday long weekend (midnight 5thJune), in accordance with public health guidelines, Falls Creek must effectively manage resort capacity. This will be managed via vehicle entry passes. Please see details below regarding resort entry for the 2020 Snow Season. Chains must be carried in all vehicles.

Falls Creek Resort Entry

All vehicle resort entry passes must be purchased online and prior to arrival to the resort.  When purchasing a resort entry pass online, guests will be required to confirm who will be travelling in their vehicle, including name and telephone number, to allow for traceability (as per Government requirements of any Victorian hospitality venue). This is a DHHS government directive and a condition of entry to the resort for the 2020 snow season.

Resort entry passes must be printed in advance of arrival to the resort. This pass must be presented at the resort entrance at Howman’s Gap (ticket box) or the Accommodation Transfer Service building (after 5pm) and placed on the dashboard while parked within the resort. Check points will also be in place along Bogong High Plains Road to ensure that vehicles within the resort are authorised to be there during the nominated period. Those not abiding to these conditions will be subject to an infringement notice.

If you purchase your resort entry pass but do not bring printed confirmation, you will forfeit the online discount and be required to pay the difference of $6.50 per day at the gate.

Resort Entry Season Pass Holders

2020 Resort Entry Season Pass holders are also required to register the dates of their visit online. There will be no limitations to Season Pass holders’ visitation. However, registration of vehicle and passenger details must be completed prior to arrival at the resort. Confirmation of this booking must be printed and presented at the Howman’s Gap resort entrance or Accommodation Transfer Service (after 5pm). This paperwork must also be displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle when parked within the resort.

This change in process is to ensure compliance with capacity controls and to ensure the resort is managed in a safe and orderly manner. Season Pass holders do not have to make any further payments when registering through the online portal.

Resort Entry Season Pass Sales

Further sales of Resort Entry Season Passes have been suspended for the 2020 snow season. We are not able to offer this product due to ongoing capacity management within the resort. We apologise for any inconvenience caused to guests that missed the Early Bird sale and 6-week extension to the sale offered after the bushfires impacted the beginning of 2020.

Early Bird Season Passes are still valid for the 2020 snow season, pending final payment (if not already paid in full).

All Resort Season Pass

The All Resorts Entry Season Pass will not be available for the 2020 Snow Season.

We appreciate this product is valued by many members of the skiing fraternity. However, the All Resorts Coordinating Council have decided against releasing this option in 2020 due to the difficulty managing- and complying with Government sanctioned social distancing and capacity guidelines. We apologise for the inconvenience during what will be an unconventional season.

Accommodation Bookings

All guests staying in-resort overnight will be able to purchase their multi-day resort entry pass without limitations. Passes must be pre-purchased as per the Resort Entry guidelines above.

Day Pass Resort Entry

Resort Entry Day Passes will be limited to 250 cars per day. Guests must pre-purchase their pass online in advance of their trip. The number of guests noted on the pass must not differ from those travelling in the car. See Resort Entry for further details.

Over 65 Resort Entry

Discounted entry for guests over 65 years of age is no longer available at Falls Creek Resort. This is due to the process required not meeting the contactless requirements between staff and guests.

No Pre-Purchased Resort Entry Pass

Guest who have not purchased a resort entry pass online or season pass holders that have not registered their intended visitation dates online, will not be able to enter the resort. This is due to capacity-management measures that will be in place. You must book online, to avoid disappointment at the gate.

Mountain Staff and Residents

Falls Creek mountain staff, residents and contractors will not be required to register. Communication will be sent to these stakeholders with further details.

Lift Passes and Snowsport Lessons

Please visit www.skifalls.com.au for the latest information regarding purchasing lift passes and snow sport lessons.

EPIC Australia Pass

Please visit www.epicaustraliapass.com.au for further details regarding the EPIC Australia pass.

Snow play

Snow play and tobogganing will not be available until the 22nd of June.

Cross Country

Regular infrastructure, such as the Windy Corner day shelter, XC rentals and lessons, will remain closed until the 22nd of June. Grooming of XC trails will commence until the 22nd of June providing there is sufficient snow coverage to provide adequate depth for grooming operations.

Food & Beverage Options

There will be limited hospitality venues open between the Queen’s Birthday weekend and the 22nd of June. Please visit the ‘What’s On’ section of our website from Thursday 4th June to see which venues will be open and their operating hours.