Further Information for Snow Season Guests
THIS PAGE HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED FOR 2021 so please watch this space.
If you are booked to stay at Southern Cross during the 2020 snow season, then our lodge staff (chef & lodge hosts) look forward to welcoming you, and we pray that your time at the lodge in the snow will be a time of refreshment both physically and spiritually. Thank you for being involved with our ministry and please take the time to read the following information. If you have any questions, please contact Brian Gaetjens at scbookings@youthworks.net or on (02) 9130 8587, or our lodge staff on (02) 6457 5252 during season.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, your experience at Southern Cross and on the slopes will be very different in 2020 compared to earlier years, but we are confident that it will be a positive experience as long as you realise it will be different.
The following SOUTHERN CROSS SPECIAL 2020 PROCEDURES are subject to futher change,
including there will be further significant changes for the 2021 winter/spring snow season.
1) Southern Cross has developed a COVID-PLAN, as well as a COVID-19 Acknowledgement & Waiver form which all members and guests and staff must agree to and then sign IMMEDIATELY ON ARRIVAL at Southern Cross as a condition of entering and staying at Southern Cross.
2) This Acknowledgement/Waiver includes a provision that guests do not arrive if unwell and to also depart early if they become unwell during their stay.
3) Our bed numbers are restricted for the 2020 season, even though our lease is for 25 persons aged 5 & over. Bathrooms will generally still be shared, but between less guests than usual unless COVID restrictions are eased in which case Southern Cross may be able to increase guest numbers.
4) Our standard week is for 6 nights, arriving Saturday afternoon (first meal dinner) and departing Friday morning (sandwich lunches provided), thus allowing extra time to ventilate rooms and do a complete clean between groups. The price for each 6 night period is what we would otherwise charge for 7 nights, but still applying the applicable 7 multi-night discount.
5) Guests need to supply their own bedding including pillows, pillow slips, bottom sheet, sleeping bag or doona with cover, and of course towel and other toiletries.
6) We continue to suggest that more elderly people or those with health issues not book in 2020.
THE ABOVE INFORMATION OVER-RIDES & REPLACES ANY INCONSISTENT INFORMATION BELOW.
NOTE THAT some discounts mentioned below only apply if you pre-book by certain dates.
Please Re-Read our Booking Procedures and Booking Conditions page
which includes our Terms of Booking Agreement, Aims and Objectives and other important information. We encourage you to share in various lodge activities. Our lodge staff provide you with all meals & hospitality, but remember that we are a club, not a commercial lodge. Please also note www.southerncrossalpinelodge.com.au/guest-information/#arrival-lunch-church. Our hosts also arrange meal etc duties, a series of short morning devotions & short evening Bible discussions, and can also help advise you on lift tickets (for 2020 these need to be pre-purchased on-line) and ski/boarding lessons and other things to do at the snow.
Ambulance Insurance (strongly recommended) and Travel Insurance (suggested)
Ambulance cost to Canberra can be $2,000 or more. Most NSW private health insurances include ambulance cover (but do check & note that not all interstate health funds include NSW ambulance cover). NSW ambulance cover can be purchased separately from the major health funds. You should also consider travel insurance which can be as little as $30 for eight days. Check for insurers on the web.
See www.southerncrossalpinelodge.com.au/news/#PerisherPrices for links to details of Perisher Lift Ticket & Snowsports School information & prices, including over age 70 season passes. For 2020, numbers of lift tickets are limited and need to be pre-purchased ON-LINE.
Click here for Information on Getting to Smiggins and to Southern Cross
What to bring
Due to COVID-19, for your 2020 stay you need to supply your own bedding including pillows, pillow slips, bottom sheet, sleeping bag or doona with cover, as well as towel and toiletries, both outside & enclosed indoor shoes, sun and lip cream, wet weather gear (including extra gloves), sunglasses and / or goggles, small backpack for day trips and your Bible – and maybe some games. Bring enough warm clothes etc, but only what you need. KEEP IT LIGHT as you may need to carry it up the hill to Southern Cross. It can be a long walk, especially in blizzard conditions! The lodge has 2 portable cots (weight limit 15kg) & 2 high chairs which need to be pre-booked with our Booking Coordinator.
Click here to review our Lodge Facilities. Our Lodge Hosts will contact you ahead of your stay to advise whether you need to bring single or double bed sheets, to discuss any dietary requests (which you should already have advised to our Booking Coordinator), to check your expected arrival time and to answer any questions that you may have. You can contact the lodge ahead of your arrival on (02) 6457 5252.
Your Arrival – first meal dinner & last meal sandwich lunch
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, no access to Southern Cross is available until the afternoon on your arrival day, sorry, and your bedroom(s) may not be available until late afternoon – your hosts will advise you more details when they contact you a few days before your arrival. Please check the noticeboard in the foyer for your room allocations and meal times etc information. Your first included meal is dinner, so please bring your own lunch for your first day. Sunday lunch is sandwiches which you can take to the Perisher Alpine Church (see next paragraph). Monday to Friday lunch is usually at 12.30pm (or such other time agreed between our staff & guests each week), or you can make sandwiches after breakfast. Your last included meal is breakfast on your departure day & you can also make sandwiches for that day.
Perisher Alpine Church Sunday Service is 12.30–1.00pm with drinks & nibbles from noon
Southern Cross members and guests are encouraged to attend and support the Perisher Alpine Church ministry to other snowfield visitors and staff. The Sunday service is from 12.30pm till 1.00pm, with refreshments & nibbles from noon and after the service. You can also bring your own sandwiches. The Perisher Alpine Church is at Perisher Front Valley, just north of the Perisher Children’s Snowports School area, next to the Ski Patrol building.
Other Miscellaneous Information
We usually love having guests for meals if there is space, however, due to COVID-19 restrictions Southern Cross is unable to have visitors in 2020.
We have good drying room facilities for snow gear, but only limited emergency washing facilities and gloves can take a long time to dry, so it is best to come prepared. If you need to use the washing machine, please speak with our lodge staff first. Use of the clothes dryer is limited to lodge staff.
Your Departure
On your departure day, your last included meal is breakfast EXCEPT for 2020 you may also make a sandwich lunch to take with you. Please empty your rubbish bin, vacuum your room if you have time & vacate your room by mid-morning. Due to COVID-19, luggage storage is not available this year, sorry. Please sign our Visitors’ Book and take home great memories of your stay.