Some questions answered…
By Emily Warbrick.
Looks like I am not the only one waiting for that day to come.
My beautiful clients are starting to resurface – wanting to plan ‘ahead’ mostly for milestone birthdays, or multi-generational ski getaways. It’s a trip for everyone to look forward to, and I get it.
Our family has Mt Buller booked for August, and we’re deciding where to go next January or February. Perhaps it’s the year to try somewhere new. Harlem will be skiing by then – and three years old. Wow time flies – although it seems to be moving slowly during this isolation period. Does anyone else think that?
But to get back on topic: There are a few questions I am often asked which sadly, I can’t answer right now. I really wish I could. I thought I would share them with you in case you have been wondering the same things.
Will the travel bans be lifted?
This is a very difficult one. The PM keeps saying we must plan for this way of life for at least 6 months – so that takes us in ski season terms (if border bans are lifted) to the Northern Hemisphere ski season for 20/21.
What destinations will be off limits longer than others?
Again we really don’t know – other than recommending you plan now to book later – keep the snow dream alive. We all need holidays to look forward to. Rest assured that as soon as we have any information we will pass it on. We will help you get to wherever it is you want to go.
My advice would be to start discussions with your ski friends now on what you want to do for that ‘special birthday’ or ‘white Christmas’ or ‘January 2021 school holidays’. Don’t forget the options to travel February, March or April 2021 when travel bans are lifted and if you are in a position to do so.
Will there be post COVID-19 packages/specials?
There are always great early bird packages for ski holidays, however yes, I would anticipate that ski resorts are going to want us back just as much as we want to travel. With many suppliers offering COVID relaxed cancellation and transfer terms for new bookings, there certainly are people still booking.
What are the cancellations penalties?
There are selected ski resorts both in Australia and overseas offering free cancellations to 31 May, no questions asked. What happens after this point? We are yet to find out, however, we will continue to work with our valued ski resorts, hoteliers and partners if you are wanting to get a holiday booked in.
It’s fair to say that most of us must know acknowledge how important our family and friends are to us. Until our access to them was denied, we never really understood just how important. The virtual world helps but it’s not the same.
Given all the unknowns, maybe April is the month to plan your holiday and book later when we are in receipt of some (or all) of the information we need. We may not have specific dates but there will be something very special to look forward to. Something made all the more special by the time we have had to spend apart.
