Well, 2021 certainly showed us that the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. At the beginning of the year we thought Australia had largely contained the spread of COVID-19, with relatively few positive cases being recorded in the lead up to the 2021 ski season. Early snow provided all resort operators with hope and a good dose of optimism, and all of us geared up for a great snow season. Bookings were made, mountain staff were engaged and businesses were prepped for a long and busy winter. Opening weekend, particularly in NSW, was incredibly busy and broke all sorts of records.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented incredible challenges not just for the Australian ski industry but globally.  Through the hard work of every citizen and every community, Australia has largely contained the spread of COVID-19, thus enabling a measured opening of the economy and the activities we love. That includes Australia’s ski resorts, many of which managed to operate very successfully over the past summer months, and all of which are now looking forwards to winter. That is great news for the local and regional communities and the 23,000 jobs that rely on alpine tourism.

As we all now know, COVID-19 severely impacted all Australian ski resort operations this past winter, with some resorts being more affected than others. NSW resorts operating at reduced capacity and managed to continue operations until at, or close to, the scheduled close of the 2020 snow season. Victoria’s alpine resorts were deeply impacted by the stage 3 and stage 4 restrictions introduced across Victoria during the winter season, with only limited operations at best.

COVID-19 has severely impacted all Australian ski resort operations this winter, with some resorts being more affected than others. NSW resorts are operating at reduced capacity and hope to continue operations until the scheduled close of the 2020 snow season, while in Victoria all alpine resorts have ceased operations due to stage 3 and stage 4 restrictions being introduced across Victoria.