How to Ski + Ride at Colorado's Ski Resorts During the COVID Pandemic
What to Expect + How to Stay Sae
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Skiing + Riding in Colorado
Colorado is the proud home of 32 ski resorts, some of which are open from October until April…or later. There is a cluster of well known ski resorts in the central Colorado Rocky Mountains. These are the resorts we reference in this article as we dig into how the popular ski resorts are planning to open during the COVID pandemic.
We will share [and update] the plans that have been laid out for opening and staying open at Vail Resorts [including Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail, and Beaver Creek], Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain, and Loveland Pass. Our plan is to keep an eye out for any changes and update on a weekly basis, but just in case the resorts make changes between our updates we’ve also included links directly to each resort’s website to check in on their current COVID precautions.
Colorado's Statewide COVID Precautions
[statewide info]
Summit County's COVID Precautions
[county specific info]
Vail Resorts
Keystone, Breckenridge, Vail + Beaver Creek
Expected Opening Date: Keystone – OPEN [November 6th], Breckenridge – OPEN [November 13th], Vail – OPEN [November 20th], Beaver Creek – OPEN [November 25th]
Reservations: Required for lift access, made via EpicPass.com
Indoor Dining: Open but limited capacity,, quick service and sit down restaurants will be open, full-service bars will be closed
Rentals: Available with reservations, pick-up capacity limited
Ski/Ride Lesson: Available with advanced reservations
Indoor Access: Managed indoor capacity, brown bag lunches allowed, limited lockers and changing rooms available
Uphill Access: Expected to be available, specific details to come
Vail Resorts owns and operates 32 ski resorts across the United States so they have created a very detailed plan across the board. The information in this pandemic plan will be implemented at all the United States ski resorts when the individual resorts open.
Reservations Required
- reservations must be made online at EpicPass.com, week-of reservations are available
- daily lift tickets are available online and include a reservation for that day
- pass holders perks include early season access to the resorts and priority reservations all season
- reserve up to seven days at a time on a rolling calendar
On The Mountain
- face coverings required whenever at least six feet of distancing is not possible — in lines, indoors, on chairlifts/gondolas, etc.
- chairlift/gondola rides will be shared with the same party of socially distanced individuals
- skiing and snowboarding lessons will be available with advanced reservations limitations:
- group lesson; maximum of 6 people
- children 5-6 years old; maximum of 4 people
- children 3-4 years old; one-on-one lessons for one hour
At The Base
- rentals available with advanced reservations [equipment will be sanitized between rentals]
- indoor dining will be open throughout the resorts with the following limitations:
- managed capacity at entrances
- socially distanced seating and spread out tables
- all quick service food will be ready-to-go [both hot and cold options]
- full-service sit down restaurants will be open with limited capacity
- full-service bars will be closed with packaged beer and wine availableiing and
Arapahoe Basin
Expected Opening Date: OPEN [November 8th]
Reservations: Only required for IKON Passes and other specialty passes, not Arapahoe Basin season passes
Indoor Dining: Open but limited capacity, full-service bars closed
Rentals: Available with reservations, pick-up capacity limited
Ski/Ride Lesson: Available with advanced reservations
Indoor Access: Limited to purchased dining [no indoor brown bag lunches], locked unavailable, no stashing gear indoors
Uphill Access: Expected to be available, will require purchased uphill access pass [unless you have a season pass]
Beach Access: Closed – no tailgating or group gatherings with anyone outside your party and must be 10 people or less
Arapahoe Basin was one of the few ski resorts in the country to re-open after the initial pandemic shut down so they have some experience with implementing precautions.
No Reservations Required [unless you’re an IKON pass holder]
- rather that require reservations A-Basin will be limiting the sales of season passes and day tickets
- lift tickets will be sold online ONLY and must be purchased in advance
- IKON pass holders are required to make reservations online for their days at A-Basin
On The Mountain
- face coverings required whenever at least six feet of distancing is not possible — in lines, indoors, on chairlifts, etc.
- RFID scanner at lifts for less interaction at the lifts
- parties encouraged to ride the chairlifts together or socially distanced on higher capacity chairlifts
- skiing and snowboarding lessons will be available on a limited basis with advanced reservations required
At The Base
- rentals are available with advanced reservations
- indoor dining will be open; however, “brown bag lunches” will not be allowed indoors [outdoor picnic area will be available]
- full-service bars will be closed
- lockers and kids play areas will be closed
Copper Mountain
Expected Opening Date: OPEN [November 30th]
Reservations: Online parking reservations required for all activities – parking reservations are now available online
Indoor Dining: Open but limited capacity and more grab-and-go items
Rentals: Available with more details to come
Ski/Ride Lesson: Available as private lessons for up to six people
Indoor Access: Open but limited space and expanded grab-and-go menus, bringing your own lunch is still encouraged
Uphill Access: Currently closed but may opening in 2021, more details to come as the season progresses
Passholder Promise: offering flexible payment plan, refunds available, and future use vouchers for extended COVID closures
Copper Mountain has been open this summer with the Woodward Summer Camp, giving them some serious experience managing groups on snow. They are also choosing to open to the public later than usual to ensure adequate space on the mountain.
Parking Reservations Required
- online reservations are required for any parking at Copper Mountain, this includes skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and any other mountain access activities
- additional information on the reservation system to come
- touch-less transactions will be available for all passes and lift tickets with any pass/ticket purchased online more than 12 days in advance being mailed via USPS
On The Mountain
- face coverings required whenever at least six feet of distancing is not possible — in lines, indoors, on chairlifts, etc.
- extended line maze designs to allow for proper social distancing in lines
- parties will be encouraged to self-group with only those in their party for all chairlift rides
- skiing and snowboarding lessons will be available as private lessons for up to six people of the same party
At The Base
- rentals will be available with adjustments made to follow the Summit County guidelines
- indoor dining will be open with expanded take out and delivery options
- guests will be allowed [and encouraged] to bring their own lunches for picnics at the base
Loveland Ski Area
Expected Opening Date: OPEN [November 11th]
Reservations: Not required at this time
Indoor Dining: Open but limited capacity, full-service bars closed
Rentals: Available with reservations, no clothing rentals
Ski/Ride Lesson: Available with reservations and limitations
Indoor Access: Limited access, no stashing gear indoors, one-way entrance/exit, no changing rooms, no lockers, no microwaves
Uphill Access: Expected to be available in mid-December, will require a free pass purchased online and mailed [allow 5-7 days]
On Mountain Cabin Access: All on mountain warming huts will be closed for the entire 2020/2021 season
130 Day Guarantee: Loveland Ski Area will issue a prorated credit toward a 2021/2022 season pass if COVID closures prevent the mountain from being open at least 130 days during the 2020/2021 season.
The Loveland Ski Area is known for opening early, although they will postpone this seasons opening date to have more terrain available on opening day. They will also be limiting ticket sales and requiring advance purchases to avoid over-crowding.
No Reservations Required
- no reservations will be required; instead Loveland will limit season pass and daily ticket sales
- advanced purchase is necessary for all passes and lift tickets
On The Mountain
- face coverings required whenever at least six feet of distancing is not possible — in lines, indoors, on chairlifts, etc.
- hand coverings [gloves or mittens] will be required to be worn on chairlifts
- the Ridge Cat will no be operating during the 2020/2021 season
- the on mountain warming cabins [including Ptarmigan’s food service] will not be available
- on mountain restrooms are expected to be open but with limited access/capacity
- skiing and snowboarding lessons will be available with the following limitations:
- advanced reservations required
- reduction in selection and availability
- no group lessons for children 6 years old and younger
At The Base
- rentals will be available with advanced reservations required
- no clothing rentals for the 2020/2021 season
- indoor dining will be open but selection will be limited to grab-and-go options only
- no lockers will be available and personal gear [including ski boot bags!] will be allowed to be left in the buildings
- changing rooms will not be available
- the shuttle will be running but expected limited occupancy [face coverings and hand coverings required]
- there will be no special events, concerts, or clinics during the 2020/2021 season
Heidi Berghammer
Heidi is the founder of Adventure Feet First and the Creator of Experiences. She is the brains and legs behind all of the adventures created here at Adventure Feet First. This means she thinks up the itineraries and when they’re even remotely close to home she is the one out there scouting the routes, campsites and local businesses. As a trail running, bikepacker and overall adventure seeker Heidi is definitely the person you want creating your adventures!
"Skiing is the best way in the world to waste time."
- Glen Plake
