Utah Ski Resorts Plan For Winter Season With Pandemic In Mind
Aug 27, 2020, 8:47 PM
PARK CITY, Utah – Skiers are counting the days until the greatest snow on earth returns to Utah ski areas, and the resorts are making plans to reopen during the pandemic.
Resorts, residents and skiers can expect to see changes.
“It’s been very vibrant this summer … a good vibrant,” said Park City resident Zach Taylor. “I think because people want to get out and get away. Right?”
Taylor said the summer was busy because so many people needed to get outside as COVID-19 kept people at home for much of the spring. He thinks people will continue traveling to places like Park City into the winter.
Ski season is on! It’s going to look a bit different… I’ll explain some changes on @KSL5TV . pic.twitter.com/5NqxgYciP4
— Morgan Wolfe (@MorganWolfeKSL) August 27, 2020
Jessica Miller from Park City Resort agreed. “The thrill of coming down the mountain with the wind in your face — it’s hard to match,” she described.
People can get that rush again starting Nov. 20.
Park City Resort already announced a big change. People must make a reservation ahead of time.
“We want to make sure that we have consistency throughout the season and that guests have a little bit of consistency,” Miller said.
She added the entire plan is still in the works, but they are considering capacity limitations.
“For the vast majority of days during the season, we believe everyone who wants to get on our mountains will be able to. However, we are not planning for the majority of days, we are planning for every day of the season,” said Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz. “We want to provide assurance to our guests that we will do our very best to minimize crowds at all times – be it a holiday weekend or the unpredictable powder day. We believe this approach will help ensure a safe experience for everyone, while prioritizing access for our pass holders.”
Sara Huey with Solitude said they are just as happy to welcome back people after being closed this summer.
“It really allowed us to focus on the winter,” Huey said.
“The goal, of course, is to make sure we have proper sanitization and social distancing,” Miller added.
This winter, people in the same group will be able to ride chair lifts together but strangers will be spaced.
Taylor said the skiing crowd will look different.
“Not a lot of international travel but the town will be busy with people that can drive here,” Taylor said.
Miller agreed, saying, “I think given the current landscape to get out here and get in the mountains — that is what everyone is excited about.”
The deadline to get the season passes has been extended into September. You can find out more individual information on individual resort websites.
