Magazine

20/21 Ski Resort Operations

Sep 28, 2020

In the current COVID-19 world we are fortunate that ski resorts around the globe are working carefully to ensure that they will operate as normally as possible. While there will be some notable differences this season, rest assured that resorts have been working hard to implement changes that gives them the best chance of continuing to operate throughout the season, ensures the safety of guests and staff and maximises the enjoyment of guests in the resort. We have summarised what to expect across your favourite US resorts this season, how to access lift tickets and how Scout can help. The most up-to-date, specific information can be found via each resort link in the table below.

General operating procedures across all resorts (not including lodging)
- All resorts will have mandatory face mask zones in place, and masks are required while inside and in congested spaces at all mountain and base area facilities
- Social distancing across all resort areas
- Guests will be required to have a face covering on when loading and unloading gondolas and chairlifts.
- Gondolas and chairlifts will load with family units/groups that are together, or with only one or 2 people if they are not in a group together.
- Most resorts will require reservations for rentals and lessons and will not take walk-ins. Scout can help with rental and lesson reservations as part of a package.

Lift pass sales
All resorts in the United States have created new policies and procedures for how to purchase lift passes and how season and multi-resort passes (such as Ikon pass) can be redeemed. Below we have created a summary of the key procedures for lift pass purchases for all the major US resorts and have outlined how Scout can help. In many instances, clients that book a package (lift pass and lodging) via Scout will have a distinct advantage over the general public, giving you a leg-up to secure the days you want and taking the stress out of the whole procedure. 

Please note that where we can guarantee the reservation of lift days, in the current COVID world there will always be uncertainty about lifts spinning until you are physically on the lift. Unfortunately, no resort can 100% guarantee that they will be operating due to these uncertain times.

All information is currently accurate however subject to change throughout the season, depending on COVID developments. We will update this table as procedures change.

   

Lift Pass Procedures

 

How Scout Can Help

*Lift tickets must be purchased as part of a lodging package.

Jackson Hole

-

Official Operating Procedures

- Limited number of lift passes for each day
- All lift tickets must be pre-purchased 
- Reservations for lift tickets go on sale from Oct 5.

- Scout has advanced purchase access to lift pass sales before they go on sale to the public on Oct 5, guaranteeing you the dates you want when booking a lodging package.
-After Oct 5 Scout can make lift pass bookings for you provided there is allocation left for the days you want.
- Scout still has access to lodging Early Bird Deals

Alterra Owned Resorts
(Steamboat, Mammoth, Winter Park, Squaw Valley, Deer Valley)

-

Official Operating Procedures

- No resort-only lift passes available (in advance or at the window) to the general public
- Resort-only lift passes can be only bought as part of a lodging package via a travel agent like Scout.
- IKON Pass and IKON Base Pass holders will not be required to make advanced reservations for mountain access (non-Alterra owned resorts that allow Ikon Passes may differ). They may go straight to the lift.

- Scout can purchase lift passes not available to the public guaranteeing you the dates you want. (Ikon passes or resort lift passes)
- Early Bird Deals still available on lodging

Aspen Snowmass

-

Official Operating Procedures

- Advance ticket purchases will ensure access. Volume may be limited at any time with priority given to those who have purchased tickets. Tickets go on sale late October.
- IKON passholders will need to make a reservation through the Ikon site

- Scout has advanced purchase access to lift passes, rentals and lessons in advance of when lift passes go on sale to the general public in late October, guaranteeing your lift ticket. Lift passes are delivered to your accommodation.
- 19/20 prices on resort products until Sept 30.
- Many Early Bird deals on lodging still available.

Copper Mountain

-

Official Operating Procedures

- Limited number of lift passes for each day
- All lift tickets must be pre-purchased prior to arrival, with preference given to those who book lift passes in conjunction with lodging via a travel agent like Scout.
- Lift tickets will be on a consecutive day use basis.

- Scout can purchase lift passes in conjunction with lodging guaranteeing you the ski dates you want. Lift passes are collected upon check-in, eliminating the need to visit the lift ticket office.
- Agent only early bird deals on lodging

Telluride

-

Official Operating Procedures

- Lift ticket sales will be advance purchase only. Same day ticket purchases will not be available.
- Advance reservations not required for season pass holders or Epic pass holders

TBC

Big Sky

-

Official Operating Procedures

- No current restrictions are currently in place for daily skier numbers (subject to change)
- Availability may be restricted for online and same-day ticket sales if required.
- To guarantee purchse for your desired days it is best to pre-purchase your lift tickets.
- IKON Passholders can ski when their passes permit access and must use Ikon's reservation system to let the resort know when they plan to visit.
- Scout can purchase lift passes in conjunction with lodging guaranteeing you the ski dates you want. Lift passes are collected upon check-in.
- Early bird deals on lodging

Sun Valley

-

Official Operating Procedures

- No current restrictions are currently in place for daily skier numbers (subject to change)
- To guarantee purchase for your desired days it is best to pre-purchase your lift tickets 

- Pre-purchasing lift passes in conjunction with your lodging
Many Early Bird lodging deals still available through Scout

Vail Resorts
(Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood)

_

Official Operating Procedures

- No ski resort will be offering walk-up lift tickets this season.
- All ski days (whether via a lift ticket or a pass) will need to be reserved online prior to arrival. Reservations will be for a specific resort and specific date.
- EPIC Pass and EPIC Day Pass holders must reserve ski days and can hold up to 7 Priority Reservation Days at any one time throughout the season. Once they use one day, they can make an additional booking. Priority Reservation Days can be booked from November 6. Pass holders can make as many additional week-of reservations within a week, subject to available days at the resort and pass restrictions.
- Resort lift tickets (non Epic Pass products) will go on sale from December 8, subject to availability
- Scout can help with purchase of Epic pass products, however we are unable to make Priority Reservation Day reservations which is up to the pass holder. Lodging bookings do not guarantee ski day reservations (whether for a Pass holder or lift ticket purchase).
- Early Bird deals still available on lodging

Get in touch with the team at Scout to secure your 20/21 ski vacation! Fill out a contact us form or send us an email.

 

 

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More about Aspen Snowmass
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More about Steamboat
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More about Sun Valley
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More about Telluride
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More about Vail
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More about Winter Park
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