As winter approaches, we all already know that this year will be a little different. So it doesn’t come as a total shock to us all, ski resorts have been letting us know how they plan to operate to ensure the health of safety of their guests and employees is the top priority.

• Related: Survey Results: SnowBrains’ Readers Will be Frequenting the Smaller Resorts and Backcountry This Winter

While the operating policies are all very similar; social distancing, mandatory face-coverings, no walk-up day-tickets, reservations or not, there is of course nuanced differences for each resort, based on their own individual geography, layout, and facilities.

See below for the individual policy for the resorts that have released them.

Ski Passes & National Guides

NSAA Guide – National Ski Areas Association Releases Guide for Safe Winter Recreation Practices During COVID-19 Pandemic

PSIA-AASI – PSIA-AASI Releases “Navigating the 2020-21 Snowsports Season” Guide

Ikon Pass – Ikon Pass Announces Plan That Reservations Will Not Be Necessary at Most Destinations for Winter 20/21

Epic Pass – Vail Resorts Outlines its 2020/21 Winter Operating Plan

California and Nevada

Mammoth Mountain, CA – Mammoth Mountain, CA Investing $1-Million in COVID Enhancements | No Reservations Required

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, CA – Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, CA Will Not Introduce a Reservation System this Winter

Sierra-at-Tahoe, CA – Sierra-at-Tahoe, CA 2020/21 Winter Operations Update

Homewood Mountain Resort, CA: Homewood Mountain Resort, CA Invests to Upgrade Resort Offering, Implements New Operations Plan for 2020-21 Winter Season 

Mount Rose Ski Tahoe, NV – Mount Rose Ski Tahoe, NV | Looking Ahead to 2021 – What to Expect During the Upcoming Winter

Colorado

Colorado – Colorado Health Officials Issue Guidelines for Ski Resorts Operating Amid Covid-19 Pandemic

Steamboat – Steamboat Resort, CO Shares Plans for Next Season | No Reservations Required for Passholders

Wolf Creek – Wolf Creek Ski Area, CO Submit Plan to Authorities to Run at 74% Capacity

Arapahoe Basin – Arapahoe Basin, CO Reveal Winter 20/21 Plan | Mid-October Opening and No Reservations Required for Season Pass Holders

Copper Mountain – Copper Mountain, CO Reveals Their Operational Plans for Winter 20/21

Monarch Mountain – Monarch Mountain, CO 2020-2021 Season Operating Plan

PNW

Alyeska Resort, AK – Alyeska Resort, AK Outlines Operational Changes for Next Season | No Reservations and Strict ‘No Mask No Service’ Policy

Summit at Snoqualmie, WA – Summit at Snoqualmie, WA Issues Winter 20/21 Update | No Reservation System for Passholders

Mount Baker, WA – Mount Baker, WA Operating Plan Winter 2020/21: No Limited Capacity and No Reservations to Begin With

Mount Bachelor, OR – Mount Bachelor, OR | Back to Basics: A Look at 2020/21 Winter Operations

Timberline Lodge, OR – Timberline Lodge, OR | What to Expect in Winter 20/21

Wyoming / Montana / Idaho

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY – Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY Unveils Winter 20/21 Operating Plan | Aerial Tram Will Run, No Reservation System for Pass Holders

Big Sky Resort, MT – Big Sky Resort, MT Will Be Implementing a Reservations System This Winter

Red Lodge Mountain, MT – Red Lodge Mountain, MT Announces Opening Day and Operating Plans | No Daily Skier Capacity and No Reservations Required

Schweitzer Mountain Resort, ID – Schweitzer Mountain Resort, ID: Looking Forward – Covid and Winter 2020/21

Grand Targhee Resort, WY – Grand Targhee Resort, WY Shares 20/21 Winter Operations Plan | Limited Building Access

Sun Valley Resort, ID – Sun Valley Resort, ID Releases 20/21 Operating Plan | No Skier Limits and No Reservations Needed for Epic Pass Holders

Utah

Park City – Park City Mountain Resort, UT Announces Winter 20/21 COVID-19 Guidelines

Alta Ski Area – Alta Ski Area, UT President Releases COVID-19 Guidelines for Upcoming Winter

Snowbird – Snowbird, UT Releases Winter 20/21 COVID Plan: Tram Capacity Reduced to 25%, Mandatory Parking Reservations, Face Masks

Powder Mountain – Powder Mountain Resort, UT 2020/21 Winter Outlook | Pow Mow Introducing ‘Traffic Light’ System for Different Scenarios

Snowbasin – Snowbasin Resort, UT Announces Winter 20/21 Upgrades and Safety Measures

Deer Valley Resort – Deer Valley Resort, UT Outlines COVID-19 Plans | Ski Buffs Won’t Cut It — Approved Face Masks Required

East Coast

Vermont – Vermont Government Provides Operating Guidelines for Ski Resorts | Some Policies the ‘Most Restrictive in the Country’

Killington, VT – Killington Resort, VT Unveils Winter 20/21 Operating Plan | Late Opening and Parking Reservations Required for All

Jay Peak Resort, VT – 2020+21 Jay Peak Resort, VT Anticipated Operating Plan | No Reservations and Walk-Up Day Tickets Available

Sunday River, ME – Sunday River Resort, ME Offers Insight into What Winter 20/21 Will Look Like

Arizona / New Mexico

Taos Ski Valley, NM – Taos Ski Valley, NM Announces 2020-21 Operating Plan | 50% Capacity, Tickets to be Purchased in Advanced

Arizona Snowbowl – Arizona Snowbowl Shares Operating Plans for 20/21 | Mountain Access Will be a ‘First Come, First Served’ Basis

Alaska

Alyeska – Alyeska Resort, AK Outlines Operational Changes for Next Season | No Reservations and Strict ‘No Mask No Service’ Policy

Canada

RED Mountain Resort, BC – RED Mountain Resort, BC Winter Safety Protocol | Social Distancing Benefits to Having ‘Most Acres Per Skier in North America’

CMH Heli-SKiing, BC – CMH Heli-Skiing Winter 20/21 Operating Plan | Masks in Helicopters, All Guests to Sign a Pledge