Ski Areas & Mountains Starting To Close Due To COVID-19 Outbreak
Several mountains across the United States, including several here in the Northeast, have begun to shut down 2019/2020 operations due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak.
Currently, in Vermont, Jay Peak and Burke Mountain Resort have made the call to shut down operations for the season to do their part in preventing the spread of the Coronavirus. Both mountains will be shut down for the season at the end of the operating day on Saturday, March 14th.
In the East, sister mountains Berkshire East, Massachusetts, and Catamount Mountain Resort, New York have been shut down since the 12th. Just south of those, Big Snow American Dream, and the entire America Dream facility, have been closed to assist in the containment of the virus. Out west Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico has decided to close up shop two weeks ahead of schedule due to the outbreak on March 22nd.
At this time, most mountains have remained open, however, almost all of those mountains have made changes in their operations to address safety and health concerns. Public events, such as concerts and competitions, have been canceled, rental & retail shops and restaurants have been shut down, and lift access and public area access has been limited. For example, tram service at Snowbird, Utah and Jackson Hole, Wyoming has been shut down, while other mountains, such as Mammoth Mountain, California and Big Sky, Montana are loading gondolas and trams to half or less capacity. In Aspen Snowmass, Colorado, only groups or parties that are together will be loaded together. No strangers.
As these announcements keep being made, it is important for each person looking to visit any hill to be mindful that the hill could be shut down at a moment's notice. Please make sure to check each mountain's website, information phone numbers, and social media pages before you make your trip to the mountain. Also, if you are already there or already booked, contact each mountain directly for any refund information that you may need.
Photo Credit: Summit of Jay Peak, VT from Bonaventure Quad - ihamr - [CC BY 2.0]
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