Ski areas forced to delay openings
Plans need to be ‘nimble and efficient’ this year
Ski areas around Taos County were hit with a major blow Friday (Nov. 13) when Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham reimposed COVID restrictions that will inevitably close ski areas until Nov. 30.
Several local resorts – including Red River Ski Area and Taos Ski Valley – had scheduled opening days for Thanksgiving (Nov. 26) while
Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort was set to open Nov. 20. Now they are all being forced to reexamine their openings, as much is still up in the air.
With the recent spike in COVID cases causing the closure of all nonessential businesses, ski areas and basins fell into the restricted outdoor facilities category. Now, they are required to plan for what could be a large second wave of coronavirus infections, which at its worst could mean shutting down for the whole season.
Red River released a statement Friday (Nov. 13) saying that it remains optimistic about the possibility of being able to reopen. In a statement to guests, staff and pass holders, president and general manager Linton Judycki said, “We understand the disappointment that this announcement brings.”
Red River Marketing Manager Reed Weimer added that they were looking forward to opening “and providing some outdoor recreation for people, but we’ve got to adapt and make changes as necessary.” Weimer also pointed out that they were “very confident in their first plan,” and said that they will “make the necessary changes. If we need to simplify we’ll simplify.”
Sipapu, which has always been one of the first resorts to open in the area, said in a statement that it will not be opening until at least Dec. 1.
“We appreciate your patience, flexibility and grace as we navigate the curveballs of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said marketing manager Christiana Hudson. While this is an obvious disappointment, she added, they have prepared for different scenarios. “Our motto this year was ‘rethink everything’ – from lift tickets, to rentals, to lessons. We’ve had to think about how to reduce touch points between employees and guests,” said Hudson. She said that various changes to their system had already been made, including contactless ticket services.
One possible scenario that Hudson said Sipapu is prepared for is what she called “a throwback situation.” She described it like “a throwback to the ‘50s where the ski experience is you come and ski, you get a lift ticket, you get on the lift,” she said. “We don’t have rentals, we don’t have food on the mountain. We have our bathrooms open and the lift open and that’s really all there is to it,” she explained of the hypothetical scenario. “It’s important for us to give people the opportunity and the freedom to ski and snowboard this winter,” she added.
Hudson also pointed out that “we do think that skiing and snowboarding [are] inherently low-risk COVID activities. If you’re only outside, and only skiing and snowboarding, those are really low-risk activities,” she said.
Taos Ski Valley said in a statement released Monday (Nov. 16) that it had anticipated a tough season ahead. “[ We] anticipated irregularities in [our] operations this season due to COVID-related closures.” Resort officials said they have “developed plans to be nimble and efficient in the face of uncertainty this year.”
In an email to staff, Taos Ski Valley said it had halted all COVID training and orientations, as well as rescheduled its on-site COVID testing for employees to a date still to be determined. At least some changes were made to staff, including a decision to cut several job positions that had already been filled in the snow sports school.
As of publication (Nov. 19), Taos Ski Valley is selling tickets for dates beyond Dec. 15 in hopes that it may be able to reopen. “We look forward to welcoming guests on the mountain soon, and we encourage everyone to stay safe and healthy at home right now,” read the statement.
Angel Fire Resort – which has a scheduled opening day of Dec. 11 – said in a statement from marketing director Greg Ralph that it had “gone to great lengths and additional expenses to create a healthy destination that will allow us to stay open, pay our employees, and provide excellent service to our guests.”
Ralph stated they remain hopeful that their diligent approach and a county-by-county reopening approach will allow Angel Fire to open. “We are confident [the governor] will consider all we’ve done to protect our community and guests and contemplate the economic impact on our residents who need the income from the resort, as well as the mental health impact for those who are needing outdoor exercise. We’re doing our part, and we remain hopeful that she will allow us to open on Dec. 11.”
After Nov. 30, the state will move to assess lifting restrictions on a county-by-bounty basis. For the surrounding ski areas, it’s currently just a waiting game.