In anticipation of a Thanksgiving weekend opener, Ski Co has released their operation plan. Some highlights from the 53-page report:
Will not need to reserve times to get on the mountain, but that could change if needed.
Staff will be wearing masks, everyone will practicing general social distancing in all the places one might expect.
Mountain restaurants will be at reduced capacity but are adding more tented seating outside and there will be “doormen” directing traffic.
Gondola has to keep windows open even when it’s snowing or cold.
If someone from the singles’ line asks to join your party, you are free to say no.
If you make a stink, ASC can pull your pass
Ski Patrol will be equipped with PPP.
Snowcat rides up the bowl are cancelled.
Slightly Modified Uphilling Rules:
Still don’t need a ski pass
While an itInherently distanced activity, you should bring a mask just in case. You never know.
They want you to only go up via the designated routes of which there are no 9 in total across the four mountains.
It is still the same that you can uphill all day long on all mountains except Aspen.
That said there are some black out dates for uphillikng during operating hours, most obvious being Xmas/New Year week.
This is nothing new, but bears reminding for early skinners, snowcats really can’t see you or your dog and even if they could, they can’t break with much speed. So always keep a wide perimeter. Also, snowcats are sometimes winched to the mountain which means up to 3,000 feet of cable can pop up out of nowhere.
Parking: Buttermilk remains free except for X Games. Snowmass Village’s Town Park will remain free, as will the Two Creeks parking lot after 12 p.m. However, no more free parking at Highlands, period.
Dogs are welcome, same as last year, but not during downhill hours. Also, reminder to clean up after them. If someone were to catch an edge on your dog’s poop and hurt themselves … you would feel like crap, no?
Read more about Ski Co and COVID here and more about skinning guidelines here.
