Mt Hotham’s 2020 snow season focus is on keeping visitors safe

Mt Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board has advised they will be maintaining its focus on visitor safety by implementing capacity management in the resort from Friday 5th June 2020. This is in line with the government’s public health guidelines that apply from 1st June 2020.

Starting Friday 5th June, the number of visitors in the resort will be managed through the Resort Entry permit system and resort management is advising that visitors must buy online and buy ahead of their visit or they will not be permitted to enter the resort. Resort Entry Season Permit (Season Pass) holders do not need to pay additional Resort Entry fees but must register their visit before they travel.

The measures are designed to ensure the resort can comply with the government’s public health guidelines and keep both visitors and staff safe during the season.

Mt Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board Chief Executive, Amber Gardner advises “It’s a challenging situation for everyone but I am certain everyone now understands why these measures are necessary.”

Mt Hotham replaced their gate-based Resort Entry system with an electronic camera-based system to provide faster, queueless access but for 2020 is temporarily reinstating checking of valid Resort Entry permits before vehicles enter the Hotham Village.

Sales of Resort Entry permits and registration for Season Permit (Season Pass) holders will be managed via the existing Alpine Easy Access Resort Entry Permit system from Thursday 4th June.

New Resort Entry processes for 2020

For the 2020 snow season (from 5th June 2020), all vehicles entering the resort must have pre-paid resort entry permits that are valid for the period the vehicles will be in the resort. Holders of valid Resort Entry Season Permit (Season Pass) do not have to pay any additional resort entry fees but will be required to register their visit in advance.

In addition, Resort Entry purchasers and Season Permit holders will be required to provide the details of all passengers who will be travelling in their vehicle, to enable traceability.

From 5th June, all Resort Entry permits will be checked before vehicles are permitted entry into the resort. At peak times, this will involve checkpoints at the resort boundaries on both the Harrietville and Omeo approaches.

Gardner adds “the message this winter is clear – think ahead, plan your trip and book early to avoid disappointment.

“A safe and successful season relies on our valued guests understanding the reasons for these measures and adhering to them, particularly in advance of skifield operations commencing on 24th June.”

The capacity management system accommodates the needs of staff, residents and contractors, whose passes are preregistered in the system, allowing them to access/exit the resorts as per normal.

To support capacity management across all of the Victorian alpine resorts, no All Resorts Season Passes will be available for the 2020 snow season.

More information at  https://www.mthotham.com.au/discover/connect-with-us/latest-news/covid-19-update