What we can expect for the 2020-21 ski season

Pandemic protocols

Skiers and snowboarders navigate the bumps on the Dukes run on Peak 8 at Breckenridge Ski

Resort on Nov. 23, 2019. Andy Cross, Denver Post file

By John Meyer The Denver Post

While Colorado ski resorts continue to fine-tune plans for mountain access this winter in response to the coronavirus pandemic, here is a quick rundown of what we know now.

Currently the five Vail Resorts mountains (Vail,BeaverCreek,Breckenridge,Keystoneand Crested Butte) will be the only resorts requiring across-the-boardreservationsthisseason.Arapahoe Basin and Aspen Snowmass will be requiring reservations for Ikon Pass holders but not people with resort season passes. Resort officials are saying polices they’ve announced couldchange, dependingonhealthand safety regulations, and Vail Resorts chief executive Rob Katz even concedes its reservations policy may be lifted during the season if conditions allow. Check the resort’s web page before you head uptoski or ride,and watchforupdated information on The Denver Post outdoors web page, theknow.denverpost.com/outdoors. You’ll be required to wear a face mask and social distance at everyski area in thestate.Expect limited capacity indoors, lots of hand sanitizer and signs directing you this way and that. Many ski areas are offering contactless purchases, so check ahead of time, charge your smartphone and download the app, if needed. Most of the ski areas are requiring advance reservations and purchase of gear rentals and lessons. Don’t expect to gather with hundreds of your new bestfriendsforbeerorcocktailsaftera long day on the mountain. Do your best to follow along to keep everyone safe and smiling. And stay home if you’re feeling ill.

Arapahoe Basin

Those who have Arapahoe Basin season passes will not have restrictions and will not be required to make reservations, but pass sales will be limited. Reservations are required for Ikon Pass holders and can be made through the Ikon Pass website. Lift tickets will be sold daily but must be purchased online in advance through the Arapahoe Basin website. Tickets will not be sold at the area and sales will be limited to manage numbers on the mountain. Nov. opening

Aspen Snowmass

For the four Aspen-area mountains — Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Snowmass and Buttermilk — reservations will not be required for Aspen Snowmass pass holders. Resort officials say that could change if the COVID-19 spread worsens. Reservations will be required for Ikon Pass holders, who can make their reservations on the Ikon Pass website. Daily tickets will be sold. Opening: Aspen Highlands, Dec. 12; Aspen Mountain, Nov. 26; Buttermilk, Dec. 12 and Snowmass, Nov. 26

Breckenridge

See the entry for Vail to learn about plans underway for all five Vail Resorts mountains. Opening: Scheduled to open Nov. 13

Beaver Creek

See the entry for Vail to learn about plans underway for all five Vail Resorts mountains. Opening: Nov. 25

Copper Mountain

Copper is not requiring reservations, but it willmanage numbers on themountainbyimplementing a parking reservation system with “carefuldailyinventoryandsalesmanagement,” according to spokeswoman Taylor Prather. Daily lift tickets will be sold online only and can be purchased while booking a parking reservation. The requirement for parking reservations applies to all, including Copper Mountain pass holders and Ikon Pass holders. Opening: Nov. 30

Crested Butte

See the entry for Vail to learn about plans underway for all five Vail Resorts mountains. Opening: Nov. 25

Echo Mountain

Reservations will not be required, but passes or daily lift tickets must be purchased in advance. Capacity may be limited, based on health and safety requirements. Opening: Nov. 27

Eldora

Like sister resort Copper Mountain (both are ownedbyPowdr Corp.),reservationswillnotbe required but an online parking reservation system will be implemented to manage the number of visitors. The reservation requirement will be in effect seven days a week and will be required for all Eldora guests regardless of pass or ticket type. Dailylift tickets willbe sold onlineandcan be purchased at the time of making the parking reservation. Opening: Nov. 23

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Keystone

See the entry for Vail to learn about plans underway for all five Vail Resorts mountains. Opening: Scheduled for Nov. 6

Loveland

Reservations will not be required for skiing and riding. Daily ticket sales will be limited on busy days and will be sold online only. November opening

Monarch

Reservations will not be required for pass holders. Daily lift tickets will not be sold on weekends for much of the season but will be sold online. Opening: Nov. 20

Powderhorn

Reservations will not be required unless state or local health authorities ask resort officials to implement them. Powderhorn will sell daily lift tickets, online only, using that as a means of controlling numbers on the mountain. Opening: Nov. 27

Purgatory

Lift ticket and season passes are available online, and the new Power Pass provides access to ski areas in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona (and summer mountain biking at three areas). Kids age 10 and younger can ski free with a Power Kids Pass. All lift tickets must be purchased online in advance. Opening: Nov. 21

Silverton

Crowds aren’t a thing at Silverton Mountain. And if you reallywant to socially distance, you can rent the mountain for yourself or a few dozen friends for $9,990 a day. Opening: Heli skiing, Nov. 25; lifts, Dec. 26

Ski Cooper

The current plan is to not require reservations for season pass holders (like passes from the big guys, purchase provides access to other ski areas across the country). A Signs designate proper spacing for skiers and snowboarders waiting at the Black Mountain Express lift at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area on May 27. You can expect similar restrictions at all Colorado ski areas for the

2020-21 season. Andy Cross, Denver Post file

Children practice maintaining balance and momentum in a ski class at Arapahoe Basin Ski Area. You’ll have to book classes and rent gear ahead of time at most ski areas this season.

Dave Camara, provided by Arapahoe Basin Ski Area limited number of daily tickets will be available, sold in advance online. Day pass sales could be limited to control crowding. Opening: Dec. 9

Steamboat

Resort officials say they are not planning to implement a reservations system but acknowledge that could change. Lift tickets are only available when packaged with an advance purchase, such as lodging or ski school. Walk-up window sales will be eliminated, and the sale of most undated lift ticket products has been discontinued until further notice. Opening: Nov. 21

Sunlight

There will be no restrictions for season pass holders, resort officials say, and they are encouraging holiday travelers to purchase tickets online in advance. They also are encouraging online lift ticket sales by offering small discounts off the ticket window rate. Ticket sales may be cappedduring busyperiods of Dec. 26-Jan. 2 and Feb. 13-15. Online lift ticket sales may be limited to limit capacity and leave room for season pass holders. Opening: Dec. 11

Telluride

Passes and lift tickets must be purchased in advance this season. Same-day tickets will not be available. Lift access may be limited on any given day in order to maintain comfortable capacity. Opening: Nov. 26

Vail

As at other Vail Resorts mountains, a reservation system prioritizing Epic Pass holders will be implemented to limit numbers. The number of lift tickets sold to the general public on a given day will depend on how many pass holders have made reservations, and they will be sold only online or through Vail Resorts call centers. The mountain will be open only to Epic Pass holders through Dec. 7, and Epic Pass holders have exclusive rights to make reservations for up to seven days in the “core” season (Dec. 8 through April 4) before non-pass-holderscanbeginmaking reservations on Dec. 8. Opening: Nov. 20

Winter Park

Resort officials say they are not implementing a reservations system “at this time” but acknowledge that could change. They plan to tightly regulate sales of daily lift tickets and say they will be available by advance purchase online only. Walk-up window sales will be eliminated, and the sale of most undated lift ticket products have been discontinued until further notice. Opening: Nov. 30

Wolf Creek

Seasonpass holders willnot need reservations as of now, but that may change depending on government health guidelines. Guests are being advised to purchase daily lift tickets in advance, especially over holiday periods. Daily lift tickets will only be sold on Wolf Creek’s website, and if there is inventory available, skiers will be able to purchase them at the ticket windows via credit card sales only. Early, or pre-season, access is limited only to lifts and restrooms. Open

John Meyer: 303-954-1616, jmeyer@denverpost.com or @johnmeyer