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West Jordan Journal

Ski & Snowboard News / Ski resorts open with massive changes and more to come

Nov 17, 2020 08:21AM ● By Harriet Wallis

Snowbasin's GM Davy Ratchford (inset) shows photos of health and safety actions the resort is taking. Signs at the lifts remind skiers to keep spaced apart. / photo: Harriet Wallis

This year's ski season has three main goals, said President of Ski Utah Nathan Rafferty in the annual fall meeting that was virtual this year. The goals are:

1) The health and safety of resorts' employees and guests,

2) To get resorts open and be able to stay open,

3) and, Skiers should plan ahead and bring plenty of “patience and gratitude.”


Each resort is handling virus-modifications differently, but here are some of the changes to look for at some resorts:

   Slopeside bathrooms

   Grab-and-go food

   No benches in locker rooms to keep skiers from congregating there

   Ghost lanes at the lifts

   Parking reservations

   Advance purchase of tickets instead of at the ticket window

   Changes in the uphill travel policies for those who like to skin up.


All resorts require masks.

“Masks are not going to be a debate when you come to the resort,” said JP Goulet, marketing manager at Powder Mountain.

“No mask, and you're not getting on the lift,” said Mike Maughan, Alta's general manager.

Ski Utah's virtual meeting included officials from the resorts as well as the chief of infectious diseases at university of Utah Health / photo: Harriet Wallis