Victorian Ski Resorts Enjoy Huge Visitor Surge

Victorian ski resorts are enjoying a visitor surge this winter. After the lockdown nightmares last year visitors are flocking back with visitation up 446% over the same week last year.

Well that’s easy enough we hear you say. But here’s the thing, they are up 60% over the same week in pre-COVID 2019 too.

The increases over 2019 are massive for Hotham and Falls in particular, at 147% and 138% respectively.

“A majority of businesses are seeing great visitation and some are reporting some of the best days on record” says Hotham Chamber of Commerce President Steve Belli. “Restrictions are not easy but they’re being managed”.

Snow conditions have not been perfect, but they have steadily improved as all the big three resorts have steadily added more lifts and runs open.

So far so good as locals can’t wait to get back up there. Despite limited terrain, the crowds are back.

By contrast NSW ski resorts are suffering as their main markets are locked out of going to the snow there for the whole of the School Holidays and at least another week beyond. Hopefully that will be enough, but there are no guarantees – Sydney and region skiers and boarders are stuck with no local or NZ options open to them for now.

Here are the results for the week to 4 July from the Alpine Resorts Co-ordinating Council.

• Total Number of Visitors for the week for All Resorts: 57,885 visitors a 446% increase compared to this week in 2020 and a 60% increase compared to this week in 2019*.
• Total Number of Visitor Days for the week for All Resorts: 114,110 visitor days a 434% increase compared to this week in 2020 and a 66% increasecompared to this week in 2019*.