Snow season as Mount Hotham and Falls Creek in doubt

Neither Falls Creek nor Mt Hotham management would reveal when a decision about the 2020-21 season would be made.

The snow season traditionally starts around the June long weekend.

Under current travel bans and social distancing laws, Falls Creek Resort Management have advised only permanent residents should access the village. All resorts, barbecues, playgrounds, tennis courts and mountain bike trails are currently closed.

"People should not travel to the Victorian alpine resorts for social or recreational purposes, or for any general reason, until further notice," management said in a statement.

A Falls Creek spokesman said "our current and future operations will be determined by the directions of the Chief Health Officer to slow the spread of coronavirus."

Online, Falls Creek have advised customers it was preparing for the upcoming snow season as normal while waiting for further information.

Parks Victoria have closed the Alpine National Park surrounding Mount Hotham while all tracks and trails within have also been shut.

In an online statement the Mount Hotham Skiing Company said plans for the 2020 season would be informed by advice from public health authorities, government order and regulations relating to resort operations.

"As the season approaches, we will advise of any planned changes to our operations," it said.

Mount Hotham said all lift tickets, rentals and snowsports school products, expect private lessons, are able to be cancelled without penalty until the day before.

The company said if it was unable to provide customers with the products that purchased as a result of COVID-19, it will provide a credit for the 2021 winter season or a full or partial refund, depending on the circumstance.

Falls Creek said the resort season pass was non transferable or refundable but in light of the uncertainty the terms and conditions would be reviewed.