Kosciuszko National Park Closed to Visitors and Holiday Makers On June Long Weekend, No Snow Play and Restricted Access in Winter
Mountainwatch | News
If you were thinking of taking a long-weekend break in the Mountains next week, you may want to change your plans as Kosciuszko National Park will be closed to visitors next weekend. Yesterday afternoon the National Parks and Wildlife Service advised that the alpine resorts and Main Range areas of Kosciuszko National Park will be closed to visitors and holiday makers over the June long weekend.
Residents, staff and trades persons will be allowed access, but there will be road closures on the Alpine Way and Kosciuszko Rd. Property owners will also be allowed access their property for maintenance and pre-winter preparation but will need to provide evidence through a copy of their sub-lease, recent rent notice or a gas/electricity bill.
The directive also outlines further restrictions during the 2020 ski season including pre-booked lift tickets or an intention form to access the backcountry.
“Visitors to the park this winter will need will need evidence of a pre-purchased lift access pass for snow sports activities in the resorts, or a trip intention form for access to cross country ski trails or back country.”
“Snow play and tobogganing will not be permitted in ski resort areas or within Kosciuszko National Park during the 2020 ski season.”
The NPWS directive is below:
On 28 May the NSW Government announced that the 2020 ski season will commence on 22 June in NSW Media Release Ski Season Opening Date. The resort opening dates are Thredbo 22 June, Perisher 24 June and Charlotte Pass 26 June.
NSW Government agencies and industry groups are continuing to work closely to ensure COVIDSafe measures are in place when the season commences.
It will not be possible to visit the ski resort and alpine areas over the June long weekend (5 – 8 June 2020) for the purposes of recreation and leisure. This includes Thredbo, Perisher and Charlotte Pass. Accommodation and other services will not be open for public access until 22 June 2020.
Road closures will be in place at Kosciuszko Road and the Alpine Way to restrict access over the long weekend.
During this period access for essential works to leased premises will be permitted for resident managers/caretakers, essential employees, lessees and trades persons with proof of purpose for access. Access will be strictly limited to the specified lease area, there is no access permitted within the ski resort or alpine areas for the purpose of recreation.
To keep the community and visitors COVIDSafe, the 2020 ski season will operate in a very different way to the way it has in the past. To ensure social distancing a carrying capacity limit, restricting the number of visitors, will be imposed to coincide with, and adapt to, the current public health orders throughout the season.
As more information becomes available, visitors will be advised through media and direct messaging to ensure they have a confirmed activity in order to be permitted entry into the park. For example, visitors will need evidence of a pre-purchased lift access pass for snow sports activities in the resorts, or a trip intention form for access to cross country ski trails or back country. Snow play and tobogganing will not be permitted in ski resort areas or within Kosciuszko National Park during the 2020 ski season.
More information regarding ski resort operations will be provided as it becomes available.
Please contact your NPWS Property Manager or email npws.property@environment.nsw.gov.au if you have any further questions in relation to the above.
