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Aussies threaten boycott over $250 fee in menacing warning to $3.3 billion industry: 'Not worth it'
Many are fuming at the cost of a chair lift ticket at Perisher.
Fed-up Australians are threatening a boycott of the slopes in their own backyard in another blow to Australia's $3.3 billion local ski industry. The cost for a single day's lift pass at Perisher is the cause.
If you want to buy a ticket on the day, it'll set you back $249. There is a discount if you buy seven days in advance, but that's not enough to appease some travellers.
The costs add up even more if you're looking for a weekender or bringing the family.
For a four-day getaway, from Thursday to Sunday, you'd be looking at a cost between $752 to $914.
A family of four would need to fork out at least $3,000 just on lift passes, and then you have to add on equipment hire, accommodation, food and drink, and everything else.
The pricing has caused a revolt from some snow-keen Aussies.
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"I've accepted I probably wouldn't ever go [to the] snow in Australia again. Even accommodation at the Station is out of this world now," wrote one person. "I can understand some losses during COVID but they're just taking the piss now."
"It's definitely not worth it for that price. With the snow quality it's barely worth $100," said another.
"I say this as a long-time skier; Australia sadly no longer holds any value proposition as a ski destination outside of the odd single day," added a disgruntled skier.
Others said they would rather go overseas than spend their hard-earned cash in Australia.
"20 years ago we used to spend just as much on a weekend in Hotham as we did in a Week in Christchurch including flights. Now it's a no-brainer to travel to NZ or Japan," explained one person.
"Why would I waste that amount of money when I could just bundle a snow trip into a place like Canada, Europe, Japan? Like you don't even have to be a pro to see this," said another.
Perisher General Manager and Vice President, Nathan Butterworth, told Yahoo Finance it is proud of the "value and choice" offered to Aussies.
"The majority of visits to our resorts are from Pass Holders, not guests skiing and riding with a lift ticket," he explained. "We are committed to continually investing in the guest experience at our resorts and appreciate all of our guests who enjoy skiing and riding with us.”
He added that a very small percentage of visitors buy a single-day same-day pass as most book well in advance, where they can get up to 30 per cent off.
Grim future for Australia's snow industry
A boycott from Aussies would only add to the worries of Australia's snow industry.
Research published last month predicted snow slopes up and down the country will be gravely affected by climate change.
The Australian National University (ANU) found the length of ski seasons will be slashed by one-third by 2030 even if greenhouse gas emissions are cut radically.
Do you have a story? Email stew.perrie@yahooinc.com
Ben Lomond, Lake Mountain and mounts Baw Baw, Buller, Selwyn and Stirling are tipped to be hit hardest by the evolving threat, while Charlotte Pass, Perisher and Thredbo, and Victoria’s Falls Creek and Mt Hotham are expected to fare slightly better.
The Victorian alpine resorts were responsible for 10,000 full-time jobs and $1.2 billon of economic activity in 2019. The most up to date data from New South Wales, according to ANU, is from 2011.
But going off trends, the NSW industry would have contributed about $2.1 billion of activity in 2019.
ANU forecasted the Aussie snow season could decline by 16 to 18 days by 2030, and by 2050 there could be 28 fewer days under a low-emissions model.
How does Perisher compare to other slopes in Australia?
At close to $250, Perisher is the most expensive place in Australia to hit the slopes for a single day. Here's how other snow villages compare:
Thredbo: $209 for a same-day single-day lift pass then $179 to $199 if you plan ahead
Mt Hotham: $232 for same-day single-day pass or $169 to $222 if planned ahead
Mt Buller: $207 for same-day single-day pass or $138 to $207 in advance
Falls Creek: $232 for same-day single-day pass or $169 to $222 if done in advance
Mt Baw Baw: $89 for a single-day pass
Selwyn Snowfield: $79 for a single-day pass at the beginning and end of the season, $109 for the regular season (June 29 to July 21, and Saturday & Sunday from July 22 to August 23), and $99 for weekdays from July 22 to August 23
Charlotte Pass: Ranges from $129 to $159 depending on the season. Day-trippers only have to pay $20 for a single-day pass, but that also buys you lunch and transport from Perisher
Dinner Plain: $116 for same-day single-day pass and then $85 to $111 if done in advance
Some seasonal passes were as low as $555, showing that you can massively save your cash if you want to ski or snowboard next year.
The Epic Australia Pass (EAP) can give Aussies unlimited access to Perisher, Falls Creek and Hotham, and costs $959 for adults and $549 for children.
Outrage over other prices on the slopes
It's no secret that heading to the snow will cost you an arm and a leg, but Aussies were shocked last year when they saw how much it costs for basic a food and drink combo at Perisher.
A person took to Facebook to reveal they were slugged $40 for two hot chocolates with schnapps, as well as $60 for two sausage rolls and two beers.
The cost of the food, compounded with a lift and ski tube pass, and boots rental, and the whole day out cost them about $500.
In another video on Facebook, an Aussie calculated it cost more than $3,600 for two people driving from Sydney to stay three nights, equipment hire, a two-day chairlift pass, a pass for the Ski-Tube (the train that takes people to the snowfields), accommodation, and food.
- with NCA Newswire
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