SKI RESORTS. Wherever possible, skiers and snowboarders have been queuing to take advantage of fresh snow and sunshine as the Southern Hemisphere winter season gets into full swing. Resorts in New Zealand, Australia and South America have received big amounts of snow, though not all venues are able to benefit due to varying Covid-19 restrictions.

"Welcome back to all our saver season pass and Earlybird multi day pass holders! The coffee's on, we've got freshly groomed cord and there are still spaces in our top car parks. It's looking like a stunner of a day above the clouds!" Photo © Cardrona Alpine Resort, NZ

New Zealand has been successful in dealing with coronavirus and has been able to open its ski areas. Last weekend saw snow conditions described as ‘epic’. Wind-free, cloudless days, combined with school holidays, drew the crowds.NZ Ski operates two Queenstown resorts – Coronet Peak and The Remarkables – and Mt Hutt in Canterbury.

The NZ Ski Chief Executive, Paul Anderson, said Coronet Peak reached capacity on Friday with more than 4,500 visitors, with large numbers at its other two resorts. He described it as great for the local economy. “Eight weeks ago we didn’t even know if we’d be open, so we’re stoked. I put it down to the conditions,” he said.

In Australia, Thredbo in New South Wales reported 30cm overnight Sunday into Monday.

Thredbo is open for skiing, subject to some coronavirus-related restrictions, but Mt Hotham and Falls Creek in the neighbouring Australian state of Victoria have closed their ski lifts until at least 19th August following a spike in Covid-19 cases in Melbourne. Falls Creek and Mt Hotham are still open for other on snow activities including some cross-country skiing, tobogganing and snowplay, snowshoeing, snowmobile and backcountry tours.

Falls Creek Resort Management Chief Executive Stuart Smythe said. “With guests coming to the resort, they will be required via the resort entry portal, to provide their details for contract tracing purposes and for capacity management.”

South America has been experiencing one of its snowiest starts to winter in years however none of its resorts is able to open because of the current status of the pandemic there.

FIS News
15 July 2020