Kosciuszko National Park - 2020 Snow Season FAQs
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has released Frequently Asked Questions for the 2020 Snow Season.
Due to Covid-19 guidelines there are some changes this snow season to manage numbers and ensure the safety of communities and visitors, in line with the COVID Safe Operating Plan developed by the ski resorts and supported by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The NSW ski season officially opened on 22 June 2020.
The ski resort's lift operations are closed until the opening of the ski season.
The NSW resorts will open on the following dates:
Thredbo: Monday 22 June 2020
Perisher: Wednesday 24 June 2020
Charlotte Pass: Friday 26 June 2020
Selwyn Snow Resort: Closed for 2020 due to bush fire damage
What do visitors need before coming to the ski fields this year?
Due to the restriction on numbers required to keep people safe, if visitors are planning to travel to the ski fields this year they should have in place, before leaving home:
• pre-booked accommodation (including camping) if staying overnight
• a pre-purchased lift pass if using the ski lifts Kosciuszko National Park – Operating safely during COVID-19 3
• have lodged a Trip Intention Form with NPWS if doing on-snow sporting activities that occurs outside of the resort ski / snowboard runs
Visitors should plan ahead and check the following prior to travel for the latest access and restrictions:
• Alerts on Kosciuszko National Park website - https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/kosciuszko-national-park
• Traffic for NSW Live traffic updates - https://www.livetraffic.com/
• Resort websites
Park access and parking
The only requirement to enter Kosciuszko National Park is a valid NSW Parks Pass displayed on the vehicle, if you are visiting a location where park use fees apply. Trip Intention Forms or a resort lift pass are required if you are planning on-snow sporting activities but are not a condition of entry to Kosciuszko National Park.
All public carparks which are open throughout Kosciuszko National Park will operate as per previous snow-seasons. Parking spaces cannot be reserved and a pre-purchased resort lift pass or a pre-registered NPWS Trip Intention Form does not assure that a parking spot will be available when you arrive.
To cater for an increase in backcountry activities this snow season, Cascades Trailhead and Dead Horse Gap carparks are available, for day parking only at this stage.
As always temporary road closures or traffic restrictions may be implemented to manage safety on roads. Please ensure that you have planned ahead and keep abreast of relevant alerts on https://www.livetraffic.com.
Is tobogganing allowed?
Tobogganing, sledding and snow-tubing is not permitted throughout Kosciuszko National Park (KNP) in 2020. The resorts developed a COVID Safe Operating Plan for the 2020 season which was supported by NPWS and the emergency services. While this plan has allowed the season to proceed, it has also resulted in the need to manage visitor numbers across all activities in KNP and the temporary closure of Tube Town in Perisher resort. Selwyn resort is also closed due to bushfire damage.
Due to the temporary closure of the only designated facilities, there are no allocated areas in KNP for tobogganing. Because of the traditional popularity of tobogganing and the temporary closure of allocated areas, it is not possible to ensure safety along roadsides or physical distancing with tobogganing in other areas of KNP.
All restrictions relating to COVID-19 are subject to review as advice from the Department of Health changes. This would include reviewing the current restriction on tobogganing.
Can visitors undertake snow play activities?
NPWS and the resorts are asking visitors not to visit the ski resorts in 2020 specifically for snow play activities. This is because there are no areas allocated for snow play or tobogganing in 2020 due to the resorts COVID Safe Operating Plan.
Additionally, all buildings and facilities in the resorts will have capacity issues due to COVID-19 requirements. This may make it difficult to take shelter for breaks or to avoid cold / harsh weather. If the weather is bad, you may have nowhere to shelter and stay warm.
Visitors can still undertake snow play activities (excluding tobogganing) in other areas of the park, if they undertake these activities in a safe and suitable location.
• Examples of snow play activities include sightseeing, building a snowman, throwing a snowball, going for a short walk or other similar experiences.
• NPWS are concerned about safety management of snow play user groups, as unsafe areas along road corridors may become crowded. Visitors should ensure their activities are undertaken in a safe location and physical distancing measures are undertaken.
• Visitors must take responsibility for their own personal safety including, staying well clear of roads, maintaining physical distancing, parking safely and in accordance with road safety signage.
• Sliding on garbage bags or other similar products is very dangerous and strictly prohibited as per the Kosciuszko National Park Plan of Management (2006).
Do visitors doing snow play need to complete a Trip Intention Form?
No. Trip Intention Forms (TIF) are only needed for visitors doing sporting activities on-snow outside of resort operational areas.