Industry News
With effect from today, Wednesday, November 25, skier capacity at Summit County’s four ski areas will be further reduced in an effort to slow the rising covid-19 case count.
- Related: Summit County, CO Fails to Slow COVID-19 Spread | Enters Level 3 Restrictions, Including 10pm Curfew
Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, and Copper Mountain have all co-operated with the local public health agency to further reduce their capacities from the previously agreed capacity set in their original covid-19 operating plan. The capacity limits have not been made public.
“We are suggesting decreased capacity in a meaningful way for each ski area.”
– Public Health Director Amy Wineland
Summit County currently sits at Level Red (high Risk) on the state’s covid-19 dial, one step below the Purple Level that would see ‘stay at home’ orders. This would essentially close ski areas, although no official guidance has been given for ski areas should their county enter Purple.
Vail Resorts owned Breckenridge and Keystone are currently operating on a reservation system, which is sold out right through the holiday weekend. It is not certain how resorts will manage the reservations that exceed the new reduced capacity.
A spokesperson for Copper Mountain, who plan to open on Monday, told Summit Daily that the resort will “manage capacity by requiring parking reservations and advanced bookings”, and Arapahoe Basin will be updating their operating policy soon.
Breckenridge and Keystone have adjusted to outdoor seating only for on-mountain dining, and Arapahoe Basin closed indoor dining on Monday.
In a recent blog post, Arapahoe Basin COO Alan Henceroth said that if we want to enjoy winter, the time to act is now. Wear your masks, maintain social distancing, and keep to small groups.
