More “good and bad news” for Australia’s Triple Treat of Vali Resorts – Perisher, Hotham and Falls. Good news is Epic Australia Pass purchase and refund deadlines get pushed out another week to July 12. Bad news is pre-reservations still needed for 13-19 July as the slow snow start to season means there is still quite limited terrain available across the 3 mountains.
Perisher has been running since June 24, adding The Summit at Blue Cow yesterday and Mt Perisher to the equation today. Snowmaking is really making a difference – helped by the natural snowfall heading into the weekend.
As we have mentioned, chances of skiing overseas in either the southern or northern winters are receding as the COVID-19 situation deteriorates and flight resumptions look less and less likely – so for our money the Epic Australia Pass remains the best option out there for Aussie skiers and boarders.
Hotham and Falls Creek open Monday 6 July.
Hotham will open with six lifts including Road Runner, Big D, Audi Quattro, Summit and Summit Trainer.
Falls Creek will open seven lifts including Halley’s Comet, Drovers Dream and Towers.
Here is the detail as sent to all Epic Pass holders today.
BROOMFIELD, Colo. — 5 July 2020 — Due to continued low snowfall and less than normal availability of lifts and terrain at Perisher, Hotham and Falls Creek, Vail Resorts announced today that access reservations for pass holders will be extended for the period 13-19 July until the resorts have sufficient lifts and trails open to ensure physical distancing for unreserved access during peak periods. Pass holder reservations will also be required for weekend access until further notice. The Epic Australia Pass will remain on sale until Sunday 12 July 2020 for $889 for Adults, $499 for Students and $685 for Seniors.
Pass holders are reminded that reservation availability is not guaranteed as the resorts are operating at approximately 50% of normal capacity due to COVID-19 capacity constraints and limited snow cover. Until Sunday 12 July 2020, Vail Resorts is offering a refund to any Epic Australia passholder who has not used their pass by that date and does not wish to continue with the purchase.
“It’s been a very challenging start to the 2020 snow season. Very low snowfalls and limited opportunities for snowmaking have resulted in the lowest number of lifts operating in our resorts at the start of July in over 20 years.” says Pete Brulisauer, senior vice president and chief operating officer, Australia and Perisher. “We previously announced that reservations would be required for pass holders from opening day until 12 July, or as soon as weather and available terrain and lifts permitted. Unfortunately, due to the poor snow conditions, we need to keep the reservations system in place during peak periods until we can open more lifts and facilities to provide physical distancing and satisfy expectations for COVID safe operations.”
Pass holder reservations for the period 13 to 19 July will occur from 7 to 9 July 2020 and pass holders will be informed of when reservations will open for the following weekends. Guests with a 2019-20 Epic Pass or 2019-20 Epic Military Pass will also be required to make reservations to access the resorts during these peak periods.
Guests who purchased a 2020 Epic Australia Pass, who have not used the pass, and do not wish to proceed with their pass purchase, may obtain a refund by making a request no later than Sunday 12 July. After the 12 July refund deadline, the 2020 Epic Australia Pass is non-refundable except as provided for under Epic Coverage and under Australian Consumer Law.
In order to manage capacity under our COVID-19 Safe Operating Plan, Bring-A-Mate tickets are not included with the 2020 Epic Australia Pass benefits. Additionally, the Epic Australia Pass Skitube add-on is not available. Guests who have purchased a 2020 Epic Australia Pass are encouraged to review these updated benefits carefully to ensure they understand the changes – check details on the link here.
