Mt Buller Releases Further Details on Operating Plans

June 4th, 2020

 

Mt Buller, getting ready to kick-start its season on June 22. Photo: Tony Harrington

Mountainwatch| News

Mt Buller released further details today on its operating plans for this winter. The resort is preparing to open on June 22, snow conditions permitting, and has been working with the Victorian government to prepare a Covid Safe operating plan.

As reported a couple of weeks ago, this includes limiting guest numbers, rigid cleaning and sanitisation protocols and a reduction of local mountain staff numbers.

Mt Buller has already announced that it will be honouring season passes, but resort entry will be limited daily, and guests will need to pre-purchase all lift passes and resort/parking passes online, prior to arrival.

Initially only multi-day passes will be available, but “Based on sales/capacity one-day passes may be then progressively be released online 48 hours ahead.”

You can read the full update here, but some of the main points include:

– Limiting guests in resort each day to maintain appropriate social distancing. All guests must pre-purchase lift passes prior to arrival online and register their details.

– Resort entry and parking passes will also be capped to daily limits (permit holders excepted) and must be pre-purchased online.  This comes into effect from midday on Friday 5 June for the Queen’s Birthday Weekend.

– Season Parking Permit and Village Access Permit holders do not need to pre-book and have unrestricted access separate to the daily limits.  Permits must be clearly displayed.

– Spacing the lift lines to keep to the 1.5m between each person. “Tip to tail” will help us keep a safe distance on the slopes.

-Loading a maximum of three passengers per six-seater, two per quad chair, one per triple chair and one per T-bar to maintain physical distance on the lifts.  Family groups will be able to ride together.

–  Commencing the season with just private lessons. Beginners are strongly recommended to book a lesson to get started safely.

-Public events and gatherings of large groups will not be happening this season for obvious safety reasons.

–  We’ve closed indoor facilities that bring groups of people together including the Buller Air Zone and Buller Kids Crèche.

– Lift pass sales will be capped daily to manage appropriate numbers of skiers and snowboarders permitted on the ski area each day. You will need to plan ahead like never before.

–  Currently lift pass sales are paused while the inventory and limits are established. We will announce when online sales resume – following the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

–  We anticipate initially only multi-day passes will be offered. Based on sales/capacity 1-day passes may be then progressively be released online 48 hours ahead.

The resort will continue to roll out further details as they are finalised with regular updates found on the Buller website’s covid update page.