Ski resorts throughout Vermont are preparing for the coming winter, and while many pandemic restrictions will be looser if not completely gone, a spot-check shows that some changes made last season will remain.
Last winter, when the Covid-19 pandemic reached its peak and vaccines were not yet widely available, ski resorts had to adopt strict public health protocols to remain operational. Most resorts in Vermont required masking both inside and outside the lodges, and many did not allow skiers to linger inside the lodge to eat and warm up. Many resorts also required advance reservations even for people who already had purchased lift tickets.
While public health protocols have loosened significantly statewide, some resorts will still limit season pass sales and continue selling tickets online this winter, not because of pandemic-related fears, but because operators say those measures actually made the resort more functional and provided a better experience for skiers.
“The good news is we learned a lot from last year, so we’ve invested in some technological upgrades,” said John Bleh, public relations and communications manager at Sugarbush, in the Mad River Valley. Bleh said the resort will continue offering online ticket purchases, online food ordering and the option to book private base cabins.
Killington usually opens early but, as usual, it hasn’t announced an opening date. Stowe Mountain Resort plans to open Nov. 19, and Stratton Mountain on Nov. 24.
Mount Snow has cut its pass prices by 20%, and other ski areas are offering early deals. Jay Peak, anticipating the reopening of the Canadian Border, has extended its preseason deals.
Sugarbush, Okemo, Mad River Glen and Bromley are among the ski resorts that will have no outdoor masking requirements this season, unless public health guidance changes, according to representatives from each of the resorts.
At Okemo in Ludlow, which will no longer require reservations or masking, the resort operators figured out last winter how to move more people up the mountain faster, said Bonnie McPherson, communications manager at Okemo. It will continue to use those techniques to shorten lift lines, she said.
Okemo will require proof of vaccination if people want to use cafeteria-style fast dining options inside the base lodge. However, fine dining restaurants at the resort will not have the same requirement, because the cafeteria area tends to be busier and more crowded, McPherson said.
At Bromley, just east of Manchester, Oliver Mauk said he is most excited about the reinstatement of youth programs at the resort this year; they were dropped last winter because of the pandemic. Mauk, who’s the assistant marketing director, said kids programs are a big focus at Bromley. Restrictions will be much looser in general, but masks may still be required indoors.
“If we do go with masking indoors and people don’t like that, then, you know, spend more time outside,” Mauk said.
Officials at most resorts say they are still finalizing indoor guidelines for the upcoming season.
Ry Young, marketing and events manager at Mad River Glen in Fayston, said food and beverage sales at the resort “really took a hit” last winter because skiers were not partaking in apres-ski after powder days, there was no live music, and fewer people came into the shop to rent skis.
Young says he does not anticipate any limits to lodge capacity at Mad River Glen this year.
While restrictions will vary from resort to resort, one thing is for certain: Skiers are ready to hit the slopes. Mad River Glen sold out of season passes over a month ago, Bromley reports overwhelming interest in its ski school, and Okemo has reduced its ticket prices in an effort to make skiing more affordable.
“We’re expecting a pretty big year; pass sales are looking really great,” said Bleh, at Sugarbush. “We learned last winter that we can operate in a tough environment and people are willing and ready to ski and do it pretty responsibly.”
