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Vail Resorts announced today that following approval by the NSW and Victorian Governments Perisher, Hotham and Falls Creek will open for skiing and snowboarding on 24th June for the 2020 snow season.

Each resort will enact a COVID-19 Safe Operating Plan developed in consultation with industry and government leaders, which will include social distancing measures, enhanced cleaning protocols and necessary changes to regularly offered programs and services.

Vail Resorts, Perisher and Australia Chief Operating Officer, Pete Brulisauer  notes “we are grateful for the opportunity to open our resorts for the 2020 snow season, especially given the difficult year endured by our mountain communities, and we take seriously the responsibility we have to keep our employees, guests and communities safe in this new environment.

“Delaying our traditional opening from the June Long Weekend to 24th June is intentional to ensure our entire team has the time to fully understand and embrace our new COVID-19 Safe Operating Plan so that we can deliver a safe experience for our guests. We thank our guests in advance for their patience, understanding and cooperation as we all adapt to the new social distancing measures required to allow us to enjoy skiing and snowboarding this season.”

Skiers and snowboarders will only be able to access the resorts with a pre-purchased pass or lift tickets; on-the-day lift ticket purchases will not be available. Social distancing will be carefully managed at each resort, based on the amount of terrain and lifts open. Details about resort operations will be announced in the coming weeks.

As previously communicated with guests, final payment for the 2020 Epic Australia Pass will not be collected on 1st June.

More information, as well as any changes that might be made to the pass addressing COVID-19 impacts on the season, will be shared by 15th June. At that time, guests will have the option to request a refund of all payments made towards their 2020 Epic Australia Pass and Pass Refund Protection or move forward with their chosen pass product.

Image top Vails Resort Falls Creek; image centre Vails Resort Mount Hotham; image above Vails Resort Perisher. Courtesy of Vail Resorts

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