Ski resorts reopening with virus precautions
Good news for outdoor enthusiasts: Skiing is back for the 2020-21 season.
Many resorts closed early last spring as the coronavirus pandemic began its firstwave of infections, but as the medical community has learned more about the virus, outdoor activities have been seen as safe and that means skiing, snowboarding and other snow sports are opening up this winter.
While mountain resorts are opening up, this winter sports seasonmay look a little different than in the past. Most mountains will require visitors towear face coverings. There will be a lot more outdoor dining spaces, and there will be regular cleaning and disinfecting at resorts.
One of the biggest changes to the resort experience is the introduction of reservation systems for everything fromdining to lift lines to purchasing passes themselves. Resorts will be closely monitoring crowds to combat the spread ofCOVID-19.
VailResorts, which operates severalmountain resorts around the country and theworld, is focused on safety. AllVailResorts properties will require face coverings. Physical distancing will be promoted, and therewill be a newreservations system.
The reservation system is the biggest change. Pass holders will need tomake a reservation before arriving at the mountain and the early seasonwill be reserved for pass holders only. Lift tickets will need to be purchased online or through a call center.
Idaho’s SunValleyResort will openwith even more space with the addition of more than 380 acres of newhigh-intermediate to expert terrain onBald Mountain and a brand new high-speed quad chairlift to take guests there.