Industry News
The general manager at Bridger Bowl ski area, MT yesterday addressed the ski community with his vision for the upcoming winter and what the resort will be doing to make it as successful as possible while mitigating any potential impact on customers.
The resort is offering their season passes the earliest they’ve ever offered them, with an interest-free payment option and a ‘for any reason’ refund policy. While admitting that skiing and riding will be anything but normal, the resort is doing everything possible to guarantee the health and safety of their employees and customers, while still enjoying skiing and riding. They will be striving to open as soon as possible, and remain open as long as possible.
The full letter is below:
July 29, 2020
Bozeman Area Skiing Community,
We know that the current COVID-19 pandemic weighs heavily in all our decisions for the coming months. As we at Bridger Bowl face those tough decisions for the coming season as well, I feel it is important to let our community know that we intend to offer skiing and riding in 2020/21, and our season pass offerings are a best effort agreement on our part to provide winter recreation. While usually blessed with enough snow to operate from early December through early April, we are striving to have the mountain open as soon and for as long as possible.
We are excited to put our season pass offerings on sale for the 2020/21 season the earliest we have ever offered them while providing a new option for the 2020/21 season with an interest-free payment plan. Initiating transactions was done with the utmost consideration of the current pandemic, and by offering plans now allows for up to 5 months to pay. Accepting that there may be operational challenges in the coming season is critical, however, unexpected financial challenges should not hamper our ability to continue to enjoy skiing and riding and we hope that our increased flexibility with season pass purchases may ease some challenges within our community.
Bridger Bowl is committing to refund any pass purchase completed before November 20, 2020, if the purchaser wishes to cancel, for any reason. For reference, please see our 2020/21 Community Commitment Policy, located on our website. I commit to the community that Bridger will detail our opening operations plan by the first week in November so that our guests can make their most informed decision at that time. In the meantime, Bridger will keep our Community Commitment Policy up-to-date as changes take place.
None of us have that elusive crystal ball that can see what this fall will bring. With MSU returning to campus and increasing infection rates within the region and the state, Bridger Bowl continues to actively plan for the season. Our focus will be centered on employee and guest health and safety while following the CDC guidelines and working with Gallatin County Health officials to ensure we can open our facilities. It is not without considerable discussion and hopes that we plan to offer our brand of outdoor recreation during the coming winter.
Unfortunately, I cannot guarantee that skiing and riding will be anywhere near normal. At this time, we do not know what restrictions will be in place, but restrictions on guest use in the buildings, within our programs, and even on the hill to some degree are likely to be expected. If operating restrictions above and beyond what is planned in early November take precedence at a later date, Bridger will address our operating plan at that time as well as determine if further refunds and/or credits for pass holders should be considered based on the situation and point in the season.
There will be challenges to maintain programs that we have been building for decades; many could be on hold for the season. Please rest assured, we are working diligently to come up with the best operating plans that will keep our community safe and still allow for skiing and riding at Bridger Bowl. I cannot stress enough that we at Bridger appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through the logistics and conditions we will be required to operate under during the 2020/21 season.
Hope to see you on the hill,
Bob Petitt, General Manager
