Industry News
***UPDATED at 8:28pm PT
“By this Executive Oder, I direct downhill ski areas to suspend operations for one week to slow the spread of COVID-19 and conserve medical resources in our mountain communities. We will continue to monitor the course of the COVID-19 outbreak in the State and may amend the Executive Order accordingly.” – Coloroado Governor Polis, March 14th, 2020
Colorado Governor Polis has issued an executive order that mandates all Colorado ski resorts to close effective immediately due to Coronavirus.
“Never would I have believed that a global pandemic would force the temporary closure of our world-class ski resorts. I have been skiing since I was four years old. Our family has had a place in Vail for three decades. And, like so many Colorado families, we were planning a ski trip with our kids over their spring break next weekend. Beyond being a major part of our way of life, skiing supports our workers and businesses.
“For those of us who treasure living our lives outdoors, sacrificing our fun is the easier part; but for those who depend on employment in our Colorado high country, the uncertainty of how long they will be out of a job is terrifying. It is with a profound sense of pain and grim responsibility that I take the agonizing action that this moment demands. I take solace in knowing that while we will be temporarily closed for business, we will be saving the lives of hundreds, perhaps thousands of Coloradans in the days and weeks ahead.
“The challenges posed by COVID-19 are unique and place significant burdens on hospitals and
medical personnel. We are aware of the great cost that mountain communities face if our downhill ski resorts close, even temporarily. These costs will be borne by local residents and businesses, and by the individuals and families who come to Colorado to enjoy our beautiful mountains and world-renowned skiing. But in the face of this pandemic emergency we cannot hesitate to protect public health and safety.” – Coloroado Governor Jared Polis
***ORIGINAL ARTICLE FROM 8:00PM PT
Both Aspen & Telluride ski resorts have announced today that they are closing due to an executive order that is coming from the governor of Colorado, Jared Polis.
The execute order will close all Colorado ski resorts effective immediately.
“By order of the Governor of the State of Colorado we are closing all ski operations immediately. Additionally, we will close our ancillary businesses in an orderly manner over the course of the next week, with the exception of the Limelight Aspen. We will work closely with our current guests in house as they make travel arrangements. These actions are being done out of an abundance of caution and with concern for the capacity of local healthcare facilities should community spread increase.” – Aspen, 3/14/20
The dates of this Colorado-wide ski resort closure have not been announced but will be announced when the executive order is made public.
Colorado has 26 ski resorts according to Wikipedia:
- Arapahoe Basin
- Aspen Highlands (Aspen)
- Aspen Mountain (Aspen) (formerly Ajax)
- Beaver Creek
- Breckenridge
- Buttermilk (Aspen)
- Chapman Hill Ski Area
- Copper Mountain
- Cranor Ski Area
- Crested Butte
- Echo Mountain Park (formerly Squaw Pass)
- Eldora
- Hesperus Ski Area
- Howelsen Hill
- Kendall Mountain
- Keystone
- Lake City Ski Hill
- Lee’s Hill
- Loveland Basin
- Loveland Valley
- Monarch Mountain
- Powderhorn Resort
- Purgatory Resort (name changed back from Durango Mountain Resort in 2015 [1])
- Silverton Mountain
- Ski Cooper (Main run is from the longest run of Camp Hale)
- Ski Granby Ranch (formerly SolVista Basin and Silver Creek)
- Snowmass (Aspen)
- Steamboat
- Sunlight
- Telluride
- Vail
- Winter Park/Mary Jane
- Wolf Creek
