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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.
[statewide info]
[county specific info]
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
On The Mountain
At The Base
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]
On The Mountain
At The Base
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
On The Mountain
At The Base
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
On The Mountain
At The Base