Ski season cut short: your rights to refunds, rollovers and deposit credits

With the hottest winter on record across the Australian Alps cutting the snow season short, tourists with prepaid holiday bookings can still recover their money through resort guarantee policies.

High temperatures and heavy rain caused severe snow loss, forcing early closure just before families loaded up the car for school holidays.

Hundreds of thousands of snow fans have hit the slopes of Victoria's Mt Buller since the June long weekend, but a spokesperson for the ski resort said the shorter season was disappointing.

"There is a little snow sticking around and we have a few guests including some school groups, locals and day visitors having fun building snowmen and exploring the resort," the spokesperson said.

Despite Mt Buller having 93 continuous days of skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing, the winter of 2026 was the fourth poor snow season since 2020.

Luckily, for families planning to hit the slopes during the school holidays, Mt Buller offers a money-back guarantee in the event of low snow.

"The snow guarantee offered by Buller Ski Lifts and many accommodation providers in the resort gives our guests a money-back guarantee on all pre-paid accommodation, lift passes, lessons and toboggan passes on the rare instance when there is insufficient snow cover.

"Fortunately, it's not usually needed but in instances like this September it's important for peace of mind."

Under Mt Buller's snow guarantee, visitors can get a refund or reschedule their stay if lifts are not operating in the two days before arrival.

To claim, submit a written request to bookings@bullerholidays.com.au between 9am two days before your booking and 5pm the day before check-in.

NSW's Perisher slopes as well as Victoria's Mount Hotham and Falls Creek are all operated under Vail Resorts Australia, so they share a single refund policy for lift passes, lessons and rentals.

Under the cancellation policy for Thredbo in NSW, guests are not entitled to a refund, voucher or date exchange due to weather conditions, operational closures or low snow.

Refunds or credits may be considered in the event of injuries or illnesses, if official paperwork is provided.

Paperwork for this request must be submitted at least three business days before the booking, and a $20 processing fee is charged.