Steve Dunstall who runs Steve's Snow Store in Wollongong Central said there was more demand for snow sports attire and gear than previous years. He put it down to more people holidaying at home coupled with supply and demand of resort tickets in 2020 creating a sense of urgency.

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"The demand is higher and it's earlier," he said. "We were busy last Thursday with inquiries, and our rentals should be busier this year."

Despite Thredbo increasing their unlimited season passes this year to $1649 all have sold out, with only day passes ($169) available and being staggered to manage demand.

"It was nearly double, I was shocked, I didn't think they would sell out that quick but maybe it just goes to show the demand is so high," Mr Dunstall said.

Thredbo general manager Stuart Diver said they've had a "different approach" to the upcoming season and had to make "adjustments" to prices to allow them to open.

"We limited the number of season passes we released, offering three options that represent great value for those who plan on visiting Thredbo a number of times throughout the season," Mr Diver said.

"We will operate with capacity limits this season in line with NSW Government COVID-19 restrictions.

"Our guests can expect to see a range of measures in place, many we've all become accustomed to, including capacity restrictions, social distancing and sanitisation and hygiene measures."

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Perisher has kept their season passes similar to previous years with $949 for adults and $539 for students (which can also be used for Victorian resorts Falls Creek and Hotham). At this stage day passes are not on sale and prices were not available at time of publication.

Charlotte Pass were selling day tickets which start at $119 for adults, $95 for kids, with season pass prices yet to be released.

While the family-friendly Selwyn Snow Resort is currently closed for construction to rebuild the resort which was decimated in the bushfires of January 2020. Their media spokeswoman would not confirm whether the resort would reopen in 2021 or 2022.

"Construction is well underway," she said. "Public access to the resort is currently not available during construction.

"A reopening timeframe for the resort will be announced in the coming months."

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For families who were testing their snow pulse for the first time, Mr Dunstall suggested Corin Forrest near Canberra as a more affordable option that could also be done in a day trip.

"This year New Zealand is also going to be good [due to the travel bubble being introduced]," added Mr Dunstall. "It gives us another option because their lift tickets are less and our dollar seems to go a little further.

"The only constraint there would be travel time."

The increased demand for snow products is a welcome sigh of relief for Mr Dunstall who previously relied on Illawarra locals planning northern hemisphere trips for his summer trade.

Border closures have meant he had to diversify by selling surf and skate products and was thankful JobKeeper funding helped keep him over the line.

"It was a struggle to get through because people weren't going to Japan," Mr Dunstall said. "It seems half of Wollongong goes to Japan these days ... it gives my shops a second season."

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