While Colorado ski resorts continue to fine-tune plans for mountain access this winter in response to COVID-19, here is a quick rundown of what we know now.
Currently the five Vail Resorts mountains (Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Crested Butte) will be the only resorts requiring across-the-board reservations. Arapahoe Basin and Aspen Snowmass will be requiring reservations for Ikon Pass holders but not for season passes sold by those resorts.
Many resort officials are saying polices they’ve already announced could change, and Vail Resorts chief executive Rob Katz even concedes its reservations policy may be lifted during the season if conditions allow.
We will keep this list updated as more information is made available.
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. Beginning Nov. 9, reservations will be 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.
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 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 beginning in late October.
Breckenridge
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-holders can begin making reservations on Dec. 8.
Related: Vail Resorts CEO says reservations system could be lifted during season
Beaver Creek
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-holders can begin making reservations on Dec. 8.
Copper Mountain
Copper is not requiring reservations for skiing and riding, but it will manage numbers on the mountain by implementing a parking reservation system with “careful daily inventory and sales management,” 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.
Ski Cooper
The current plan, subject to change, is to not require reservations for season pass holders. A limited number of daily tickets will be available, sold in advance online.
Crested Butte
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-holders can begin making reservations on Dec. 8.
Eldora
Like sister resort Copper Mountain (both are owned by Powdr Corp.), reservations will not be 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. Daily lift tickets will be sold online and can be purchased at the time of making the parking reservation.
Related: Ikon Pass resorts not planning to require reservations “at this time”
Keystone
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-holders can begin making reservations on Dec. 8.
Loveland
Reservations will not be required for skiing and riding but will be required for rentals and lessons. Daily ticket sales will be limited on busy days and will be sold online only.
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.
Purgatory
Lift ticket and season pass plans will be finalized after further clarification from state and local health officials. All lift tickets will have to be purchased online in advance of the guest’s visit. The date when lift ticket sales will begin is to be announced later this month. Season passes are currently on sale on Purgatory’s website.
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 capped during busy periods of Dec. 26-Jan. 2 and Feb. 13-15. They plan to monitor online sales and will limit those sales if necessary to leave room for season pass holders.
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 have been discontinued until further notice.
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-holders can begin making reservations on Dec. 8.
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.
Wolf Creek
Season pass holders will not 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.