Hotham will open for skiing and snowboarding on 24 June for the 2020 snow season, following approval by the Victorian government. We 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.

There are a lot of questions about the upcoming winter season and while the National Cabinet recently released a three-step plan to a COVIDSafe Australia, the details of how that plan will apply to ski and ride operations in New South Wales and Victoria are still evolving. Because of this, we do not yet have an update on when we will be able to open for the 2020 season.

With the start of June only a few weeks away, we thought it was imperative that we share an update on our plans, even as we’re still working through some of the solutions that will address the unique needs of our 2020 Epic Australia Pass holders.

As outlined in a letter sent to pass holders on 19^th May 2020, we will not take the final payment for the 2020 Epic Australia Pass on 1 June and by 15 June, we will share more information about the season ahead as well as new pass options that will address the expected COVID-19 impacts to our season. Once we have shared more information, pass holders 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 a new pass product.

For information about 2020 Epic Australia Pass please visit www.epicaustraliapass.com.au

We understand the uncertainty but at this point we continue to prepare for the 2020 winter season.

Our cancellation policy for lift tickets, rentals and snowsports school products (except private lessons) allow you to cancel without penalty up until the day prior to the first day your product is valid.

If we are unable to provide you with the products that you have purchased as a result of COVID-19, we will provide you with a credit for the 2021 winter season or a full or partial refund, depending on the circumstance.

If the situation changes, we will notify all guests who have booked and will advise in relation to our cancellation policies at that time. Should there be a change to our policies, they will be no less favourable to you, than at the time you purchased the product.

Our cancellation policy for lift tickets, rentals and snowsports school products (except private lessons) allow you to cancel without penalty up until the day prior to the first day your product is valid.

Should there be a change to our policies, they will be no less favourable to you than at the time you purchased the product.

We understand the uncertainty but at this point we continue to prepare for the 2020 winter season. As the season approaches, we will advise of any planned changes to resort operations.

If we need to shorten our season due to COVID-19 impacts, we will apply our terms and conditions that are in place at the time you contact us to respond to your circumstance. Should there be a change to our policies, they will be no less favourable to you than at the time you purchased the product.

We understand the uncertainty but at this point we continue to prepare for the 2020 winter season. As the season approaches, we will advise of any planned changes to resort operations.

If we need to scale our operations because of COVID-19, and reduced facilities impact your decision to ski with us this season, we will apply our terms and conditions that are in place at the time you contact us to respond to your circumstance. Should there be a change to our policies, they will be no less favourable to you than at the time you purchased the product.

Also, our cancellation policy for lift tickets, rentals and snowsports school (except private lessons) products allow you to cancel without penalty up until the day prior to the first day your product is valid.

We are continuing to make preparations for the 2020 winter season. As the season approaches, we will advise of any planned changes to resort operations.

If we are unable to provide you with the lift access, lesson or equipment rental that you have booked as a result of COVID-19, we will provide you with a credit for the 2021 winter season or a full or partial refund, depending on the circumstance.

We understand the uncertainty but at this point we continue to prepare for the 2020 winter season.

Our cancellation policy for private lessons allow you to cancel without penalty up until 7 days prior to your private lesson.  Cancellations or changes to the date/time of your private lessons made between 7 days and 48 hours prior to the original time and date that was booked will attract a $180 fee. Cancellations or changes made within 48 hours of the originally booked time and date incur a 100% cancellation fee.

If we are unable to provide you with the products that you have purchased as a result of COVID-19, we will provide you with a credit for the 2021 winter season or a full or partial refund, depending on the circumstance.

If the situation changes, we will notify all guests who have booked and will advise in relation to our cancellation policies at that time. Should there be a change to our policies, they will be no less favourable to you, than at the time you purchased the product.

Lift tickets, Snowsports Lessons & Rental Equipment will be available for purchase from the start of April 2020 at our much improved Online Store.

If Hotham Holidays are unable to provide you with the accommodation that you have booked or the resort is closed as a result of COVID-19, we will provide you with a full refund.

Due to the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic Hotham Holidays aim to provide comfort to guests booking holidays in these uncertain times.

Hotham Holidays will provide cancellation, change of dates, credit forward or full refund on all prepaid accommodation if;

• You, a family member or travelling companion contract COVID-19 and are unable to travel on your intended dates; OR
• Government policies due to COVID 19 prevent you from travelling on your intended dates; OR
• Your transport is cancelled or disrupted due to COVID 19 preventing you from arriving in resort for your travel dates. 

 If your circumstance meets any of the criteria listed above, please e-mail Hotham Holidays (holidays@hotham.com.au) to request a reservation change, or cancellation.

You will be required to provide supporting documentation such as a medical certificate when applying for a cancellation or reservation change.  All claims, with supporting documentation, are to be submitted no later than 24 hours prior to arrival.

This policy is in addition to the standard booking terms and conditions provided by Hotham Holidays. In the event of any inconsistencies between these, this policy shall take precedence.

We have had no reported COVID-19 cases to date. We are constantly monitoring staff and are following the Government’s guidelines in relation to managing employees who may have visited countries abroad or are suffering COVID-19 symptoms.

The health and safety of our guests and our employees is our top priority and accordingly we are following government COVID-19 guidelines. To keep you safe while you’re visiting our resort during the COVID-19 situation, we’ve taken further preventative measures to keep you safe. We are implementing strategies to:

• Enhance our cleaning activities to ensure more frequent and targeted cleaning of high touch areas and services;
• Increase the availability of hand sanitizer;
• Advise our employees not to come to work if they feel unwell or they are under self-isolation requirements;
• Ask our employees to continue to follow good hygiene practices, including washing hands regularly;
• Continue to monitor and update our employees on the evolving situation to ensure we can provide you with a safe environment at our resort;
• Have employees working from home where possible.

We will be thoroughly screening and monitoring all employees ahead of the winter season in accordance with the Government’s requirements at that time. We will continue to have strict rules in place to prevent employees from attending work if they have recently been abroad or are suffering from COVID-19 symptoms.

We will continue to strictly adhere to government advice at the relevant time in relation to employment, self-isolation and screening.

While the Queen’s Birthday long weekend traditionally marks the start of the snow season this year will be different. This Queen’s Birthday Weekend a limited number of Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board services will operate.

These include a limited village bus service, medical support and ski patrol. The ski field will not be open and the lifts will not be turning, so you cannot downhill ski or board. Cross country skiing on designated trails will be permitted but please note that grooming will be done to a reduced schedule until full resort services start operating later in June.

No there will not. We are investigating whether an event will be possible later in June within the Victorian government’s public health guidelines.

Yes, Resort Entry charges will apply from Saturday 6 June 2020. However the resort entry fee for Queen’s Birthday long weekend until when full skifield operations start in late June will only be $35 per vehicle per day (excepting Resort Entry Season Pass holders).

Please note that this charge is covered by Resort Entry Season Passes and holders do not have to pay extra (see Resort Entry FAQs below).

Resort entry permits must be purchased in advance online to allow for a contactless entry into the resort and effective capacity management as required.

All drivers will need to carry diamond pattern wheel chains and fit them if directed to enable safe access. Please check our Chains website page for more information.

Yes, The General and The Restaurant at Jack Frost will both be operating as follows:

• The General: Dine-in and takeaway. Likely dinner service sittings 5:30pm, 7pm, and 8:30pm. Please call The General for more information on Ph: 03 5759 3523
• The Restaurant at Jack Frost: Dine-in and takeaway for dinner Friday to Sunday. Seating times 5:30pm, 7pm and 8:30pm. For bookings or orders call 0404 359 493

Tobogganing is not permitted anywhere in the resort before the start of full resort operations in late June. Please check back on our Tobogganing and Snowplay website page for more information closer to 22 June.

Mt Hotham is currently open as a day trip destination. However, in line with the Victorian government’s public health guidelines the Mt Hotham Alpine Resort Management office is closed to the public – please email on mhar@mthotham.com.au. Our Transit Station remains open for access to the public toilets, which are being cleaned daily. Please observe strict hygiene practices and physical distancing when using these facilities. With the lifting of restrictions, our playground, petanque court and trampoline all are now open.

The 2020 snow season will have a delayed start and will commence on Monday 22^nd June with lifts starting to turn on Wenesday 24th June. All current requirements of physical distancing and hygiene practices will be in place across the resort throughout winter. Capacity management will be implemented from the Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend and continue throughout the season.

All people staying in the Hotham resort overnight will be able to purchase their multi-day Resort Entry permit unrestricted, but will need to purchase their pass online and in advance of their arrival.

The lifts will start turning on Wednesday 24th June in time for the Victorian school holidays commencing Saturday 27th June. Please keep checking back to this page for updated information.

At the moment The General is open for takeaway – please call them for more details on Ph: 03 5759 3523.  There is also a small supermarket at The General that is operating with social distancing measures in place. In terms of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend and the start of the 2020 snow season in late June, we are working with on-mountain operators to determine who will be providing food and beverage services, which must operate within the Victorian government’s public health guidelines. However guests should plan to self-cater as a starting point. Please check back here for more information closer to the date.

Guests that visit Mt Hotham from the Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend until ski field operations in the week commencing 22 June will be required to pay a discounted Resort Entry fee of $35 per vehicle, per day (not applicable for Resort Entry Season Pass holders), which covers the winter services that will be operating at that time.

You will also need to carry diamond pattern wheel chains to enable safe access. Resort entry passes must be purchased in advance online for contactless transactions and to enable effective capacity management. For more information about Resort Entry including terms and conditions please check our Resort Entry page on our website.

Resort Entry fees cover the delivery of winter services such as the intra-village bus, snow clearing, Ski Patrol, grooming of cross-country trails, waste management, etc. The reduced level of Resort Entry fees reflects the fact that these services will be provided to a lower level until full resort operations commence in the week commencing 22 June. For more information about what Resort Entry covers, please check our Resort Entry website page.

Go to our Resort Entry page on the Hotham website. Log into your Alpine Easy Access account to purchase if you are an existing account holder. New customers -  select the link to Alpine Easy Access, then select the Day and Multiday permits and follow the prompts.  Remember you will be required to provide your registration details, and details of occupants in the vehicle.

All people staying in the Hotham resort overnight will be able to purchase their multi-day Resort Entry permit unrestricted, but will need to purchase their pass online and in advance of their arrival.

Please see the section below specifically about Resort Entry Season Passes.

Please see the section below specifically about Resort Entry Season Passes.

If you would like a refund for 2020 or a credit for 2021 for your Resort Entry payment or deposit, please email requests to mhar@mthotham.com.au.

With the announcement that the 2020 snow season will start on Monday 22nd June, we will start processing Resort Entry Season Pass balance payments from Wednesday 10^th June. Season Pass purchasers who have paid a deposit on their permit will be covered for the Queen’s Birthday long weekend even though the balance will be debited after that weekend (see FAQs above). Those who have paid a deposit will be advised 24-48 hours in advance of the debit to check payment details. Please email refund requests to mhar@mthotham.com.au.

We understand you may have this concern. We will provide further information as soon as it comes to hand and we anticipate this will occur before 10^th June.  If you remain uncertain about your Season Pass we can provide you a refund.

The impact of public health restrictions on accommodation with share facilities has yet to be determined by State Government. We recommend you make direct contact with your lodge to find out. If you would like a refund for 2020 or a credit for 2021 for your Resort Entry payment or deposit, please email requests to mhar@mthotham.com.au.  

We are currently working with the Victorian government on what capacity management may be required within the resort and how this will be managed. We will provide further information as soon as it comes to hand and we anticipate this will occur before 10 June. If you remain uncertain about your Season Pass we can provide you a refund.

Although full payment will not have been finalised until 10^th June your Resort Entry Season Pass will be valid from Friday 5^th June until the end of the 2020 snow season. This means you won’t be required to pay a resort entry fee if you visit Hotham between the Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend and season commencement on 22^nd June, as you will have already paid for access for the season.

To register your visit simply log into your account via the link on our Resort Entry page, select the "Register your visit" button on your dashboard and follow the prompts. Remember you will need to include the details of all occupants of the vehicle.

2020 Resort Entry Season Passes will not be one sale until further notice. Continue to check here and on our Resort Entry website page for details.

Due to the need for capacity management within Victorian alpine resorts, the Resort Entry All Resorts pass will not be sold this year.

If you have booked accommodation and would like to know more about your accommodation provider’s cancellation policy, please contact them directly.

Please check the Accommodation section of our website for options or contact one of our local accommodation booking services.

The impact of public health restrictions on accommodation with share facilities has yet to be determined by State Government. We recommend you make direct contact with your lodge to find out more.