It goes without saying that 2020 has been an extraordinary year. Without suggesting that Geebung Ski Club has suffered more than others, the Club has encountered its own series of challenges. We’ve developed this mid-year Club update to provide all Members with the opportunity to be kept up to date on these issues and to show that with us all working together we are on our way to getting through this difficult period.
LODGE CLOSURES & REOPENING
The year started with the bush fires which led to a cancellation of a large proportion of regular summer bookings. This was followed shortly after by the Corona Virus Pandemic. As members are aware, the Committee made the difficult decision to close the lodges during this time. The lodges closed on 23rd March 2020 and remained closed until we reopened on 22nd June 2020, with a limited 50% capacity.
The lodge managers, Emma and Keith, did a a terrific job in preparing the lodges so that they were COVID safe for all Members prior to the school holidays starting.
BOOKINGS
Members who had bookings during the closed period were offered a credit with a priority booking system applied for the same period in 2021 or 2022, or a refund on compassionate grounds.
After we reopened, an enormous amount of juggling work was carried out by our Booking Clerk, Louise, to delicately manage bookings to ensure that the lodges remained under the 50% occupancy restriction, whilst also attempting to please all Members’ and their guests’ booking requests. We appreciate the majority’s patience as Louise went through this tricky process.
LIFT TICKET ISSUES
We then encountered the debacle of Mountain lift ticket sales, starting with Thredbo where the vast majority of our school holiday bookings failed to obtain tickets and were forced to cancel. Again, all bookings were offered a credit to be used in 2021 or 2022, or a refund on compassionate grounds.
Similar ticketing issues have been encountered at Perisher with tickets being released on a week by week basis and people with “Epic Passes” being required to book a “space” on the mountain. Again, this has led to numerous disappointed members who have been forced to cancel their accommodation and their Epic Passes.
Perisher has had its own logistical difficulties with limitations on the amounts of passengers being carried on the ski tube (together with a requirement for pre-booked tickets and train time). Hans Oversnow is operating at an extremely reduced capacity. Keith has arranged to meet arriving members and guests to transport their luggage to the lodge, however, most people are then required to walk to the lodges.
SPECIAL LEVY ISSUED
After anxious consideration, the committee took the decision on 5th May 2020 to issue a special levy to members at a time when it looked likely that the lodges would not be able to open at all this season. The levy was issued on 22nd May 2020 and a further reminder was sent on 19th June 2020. To date, 80% of members have paid promptly. We are extremely grateful for this response on this decision made and the committee would like to thank all members who have paid to date, and encourage those who are yet to pay, to pay promptly.
We have offered time to pay for any members encountering financial hardship, but to date have received no such applications. If you feel you fall into that category, please let us know sooner rather than later.
Financially we are in a sound position. The levy was issued on the assumption that we would have no other income this year. We have received some income and so are now ahead of budget. We are also making applications to both landlords for rental rebate or assistance and are hopeful of getting a positive result. We will be in a sound financial position at the end of the year and hope not to be forced to increase subscriptions or consider further levies.
BOOKING CREDITS
As of the time of writing this report, a total of $28,000 worth of booking credits which can be used either next season or the season after, have been requested and granted to members and guests who have cancelled due to the lodge closures or inability to obtain lift tickets. We are aware that the use of these credits will cause a shortfall in income over the next two years and have budgeted on that basis.
Please be aware that credits and refunds are not available to members and guests who cancel because the snow is not as good as they would like. Geebung has never guaranteed snow quality and that is one risk that members and guests still have to bear on their own.
FUTURE BOOKINGS
Looking forward, we have solid bookings at both lodges for the balance of the ski season. There is still some availability, so if you are interested, please contact Louise, to see if there are beds available. If there is accommodation available, we strongly suggest that you reserve the beds through Louise, then attempt to purchase your lift tickets. If successful, contact Louise again to pay for your accommodation.
There remains an issue with people who have booked who have yet to obtain tickets. Our policy regarding refunds and/or credits will remain in place for the balance of the season.
LODGE UPGRADE WORKS
On a brighter note, the cladding and new window work at Perisher is now complete and looks fantastic. The downstairs room at Thredbo has been completely remodelled and redone. New beds have been installed that will allow for people to sleep there comfortably or if unoccupied can be used as a second lounge room. Together with a Jetmaster fire place and repainting. It looks wonderful.
Recent photographs of both the Perisher and Thredbo works.
THANK YOU
The directors wish to thank all of the members who have supported us through this difficult time and in particular those who have paid the special levy already. Particular thanks must go to Louise, Emma and Keith who have each in their own way performed above and beyond any reasonable job description.
We cannot guarantee that the lodges will remain open. We will observe all government regulations as they come to hand and the question of how many tickets the resorts issue and whether they stay open is of course out of our hands.
It is now snowing and we hope everyone who uses the lodges for the balance of the ski season has a great time! We will report further in Spring.
Regards, Geebung Ski Club Committee