"Back in the early 80s before snow-making, we had a season of two weeks - there was no snow in July," he said.

"You have to deal with a loss and look forward to next year, in a year like this.

"I tend to plan for a bad year almost every year, and when you get a good one, it's a real bonus."

Paul's Ski Shop in Wodonga remained open during public health restrictions except for a short period in March.

"I wasn't told to close at any stage, but when the Victorian government said 'there's only four reasons to be out', I was here for about a week and no one came in for the whole week," he said.

"So I had a break, and had the phone diverted to my mobile.

"When I saw some activity, I opened again.

"It's still quiet during the week, but the biggest pick-up was when people could buy lift tickets."

A ski season opening for June 22 was set at the end of May, bringing relief for Mr Oberin.

"Back in April, we were thinking the lifts weren't even going to open," he said.

"We were a bit concerned at the start, because you've got to order stock in October - that was all coming.

"So when the Chinese-owned company that I had more than half of my stock ordered with cancelled the order, it was sort-of a blessing.

"Our biggest concern now is the fact the season is open, but it's only going to take a few people up there with infection to shut it back down again.

"If we get all of July, it will be fantastic - we'll see what happens."

Despite this uncertainty, the other issue for ski hire businesses has been getting stock from overseas.

Mr Oberin is also looking at further losses later in the year, when people travelling to international ski-fields hire and buy gear.

"Our best hope is Japan ... Canada is a small hope, as they have the American border closed, but I don't think America has any hope," he said.

"I get almost no international travellers at the shop - I get a lot of people from out of town who come to buy boots off me.

"But for our rental, it's all Albury-Wodonga people."

With resorts operating at half their usual capacity from Monday, Falls Creek and Mount Hotham have already sold out of lift tickets on certain days.

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"They're going to spread people out, so the lift lines could be quite long, although they'll move quickly because they'll be single-file rather than four along," Mr Oberin said.

"I think the people who aren't keen snow-goers probably don't realise you can't just get in your car and go drive up there and buy a lift ticket.

"I normally wake up and think, 'I'll go skiing tomorrow', but you won't be able to do that this year."

Mr Oberin said many ski hire operators he knew who were based closer to the resorts were yet to open.

"They are waiting for the lifts to open - they don't know what they're up for," he said.

"I feel for the big shops in particular - we own the building, and my wife and I work it, so we're lucky.

"We're not doing anywhere near last year's figures, but we couldn't expect that."