THE ski season that almost never was is finally here but those revelling in our local winter wonderlands will have to do things a little differently in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
For Mount Hotham and Falls Creek, the 2019 season marked the start of a new era with an exciting $179 million deal that saw the mountains taken under the wing of Vail Resorts.
But the 2020 season is sure to write its own chapter in the history book for being the one where it only just survived a global pandemic.
Ski mountains are special places and usually, at this time of year there would be thousands of visitors making themselves at home, but a shortened season and heightened social distancing restrictions will limit numbers and activities – but not the fun.
The start of the coronavirus pandemic had almost everyone in the Alpine Shire sweating the start of the pending ski season and as months went by, it looked more and more unlikely to happen.
The mercury plummeted at the start of May and as a wintry blast surged through the Alps, locals and those watching from afar felt a new sense of worry.
Mount Hotham received a once-in-a-decade autumn dump of more than 80cm of fresh snow, with some of the snowdrifts over a metre deep by May 1.
The mercury dropped to a low of -4.2C on the mountain on the Sunday morning, almost 4C below average.
More than 30cm of snow fell on Dinner Plain while Mount Buffalo turned into a white sea with 16cm of fresh snow falling on the empty mountain.
But with the Mount Buffalo and Alpine National parks still closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, people could only enjoy views of the snow-capped peaks from afar.
Closer to Bright, with snowfall as low as 900 metres, locals took the opportunity to admire a snow-capped Mount Porepunkah up close unsure of when the chance to get up to Falls and Hotham would arrive.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced in late May the news every snow-lover had been dreaming of - the ski season would go ahead from June 22.
Both resorts opened for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, which should have been the opening weekend, but the ski fields remained closed until June 24.
Not long after the announcement, Falls Creek chief executive officer Stuart Smythe said though it was still unknown what the season would look like it was great to finally have a countdown.
“The great work by everyone over the past few months is paying off,” he said.
“Let’s keep up the diligent work so we can all safely enjoy the snow this winter and get some turns in.”
Just a fortnight later, Vail Resorts announced those looking to get a glimpse of the magical mountains on a whim would be denied entry with a strict new pre-purchase process now in place.
“The 2020 snow season is going to be a little bit different for everyone involved,” Mr Smythe said.
“This is going to involve a change in the way the resort has traditionally been accessed.
“This year you will need to plan ahead to help achieve the best possible outcomes under the circumstances we are constrained by.”
Mount Hotham replaced its gate-based resort entry system with an electronic camera-based system to provide faster, queueless access as part of its “focus on visitor safety” heading into the ski season.
“It’s a challenging situation for everyone,” Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board chief executive officer Amber Gardner said.
“But I am certain everyone now understands why these measures are necessary.”
“The message this winter is clear – think ahead, plan your trip and book early to avoid disappointment.”
With the rules clear and seemingly understood by all eager snow visitors, the mountains took another hit in mid-June when Vail Resorts confirmed it would only be permitted to operate at 50 per cent of normal capacity to ensure physical distancing measures can be followed until the State Government announces more changes to allow greater access.
Safety precautions include reduced lift operations with guests having to ride alone unless they live together and limited Snowsports School programs.
Accommodation providers will also operate at reduced capacity.
Vail’s chief operating officer, Pete Brulisauer, said the safety of employees, guests and the surrounding communities will remain Vail Resorts’ top priority.
“Skiing and snowboarding at our resorts will be different this season but we feel confident we’ll provide a great guest experience,” he said.
“If we see further easing of physical distancing rules, we will adjust our operations to expand services while continuing to prioritise safety.
“Together, we will make this much-anticipated season a great one.”
Strict rules and reduced numbers aside, the ski season has arrived and the out-of-this-world atmosphere as you hit that first jump, ski a new black run or explore a new off-piste area will never change.
Where a week feels like a month and a day on snow is the greatest gift, enjoy every moment of winter 2020.
There won’t be another like it.
