Okemo, Stowe and Mount Snow
Vail Resorts owns Okemo, Stowe and Mount Snow in Vermont, and company spokesman Jamie Storrs says in this industry, people are used to being at the mercy of weather and the economy, but a pandemic is a brand new challenge.

“So what we are asking for this season is a little bit of patience from everybody," Storrs said.

He added that anyone who wants to ski or ride at one of their resorts will have to wear a mask and make a reservation, which he thinks should not be that big a deal.

“The average person doesn't show up to the airport and go, ‘One ticket, please, for today,’" Storrs said. "We're asking guests to plan ahead a little bit more this year to make their reservations, and to kind of think through when they're going to ski, and to book out that time.”

More from VPR: Vermont Ski Towns Juggle Tourism Economy With COVID-19 Concerns

Season pass holders will be prioritized, and Storrs says early in the season, they’ll have the opportunity to lock in up to seven high-demand days like Christmas week or Martin Luther King weekend.

“That being said, on a lot of days this season, there'll be the ability to make a reservation the day before or even the morning of,” he added.

Chair lifts and gondolas at their three Vermont resorts will all have the latest ticket scanners to reduce wait times. But Storrs says lifts, lodges, and restaurants will all be operating at a lower capacity, so flexibility, and maybe a sandwich or granola bar from home, will help.

“If everybody tries to go to lunch at 12:30," Storrs said, "it's going to be crowded and we're not gonna be able to accommodate everyone inside.”

Stratton
At Stratton Mountain, spokesman Adam Kimiecik says they’re looking at different apps that will allow people to reserve a table inside. He added they also plan to expand outdoor seating and warming areas and bring in some additional food trucks.

As far as lift tickets go, "if you had a season pass of any kind, you're allowed to come up and ski, no reservations required at this time,” Kimiecik said.

You'll also be guaranteed a lift ticket if you book lodging or rent equipment at Stratton.

But at this point, Kimiecik says there won’t be any ticket windows selling day passes. So to ski a day here or there, you’ll need to plan ahead. Tickets will only be available online, in advance, and Kimiecek says quantities will be limited.

Jay Peak
Up near the Canadian border at Jay Peak, general manager Steve Wright says they're taking a more relaxed approach to ticket sales.

“We're saying to our season pass-holders, you do not need to make any reservation," he said. "We're saying to our day ticket purchases that you can, you should feel free to arrive on the day of and buy your ticket. Our expectation is that there will be plenty of room to spread out here at the mountain this year.”

More from VPR: With Canadian Border Closed, NEK Tourist Spots See Big Drop

Wright says 50% of Jay Peak’s business comes from Canada, so with the border closed and no sense of when it will re-open, their capacity will already be down by half. He added another 30% of their U.S. market may have to deal with travel restrictions.

It’s a reality that’s playing havoc with their budget and projected revenues, but Wright says they’re hoping skiers and riders concerned about the pandemic might see Jay Peak as a safer option.

Economic need vs. travel restrictions
Molly Mahar, President of the Vermont Ski Areas Association says having to shut down early last season and cancel many summer events has already cost the state’s ski resorts around $100 million. So opening and staying open this season will be crucial.

With many people still concerned about air travel, she says resorts in southern Vermont like Stratton and Magic Mountain may benefit from their proximity to New York and Boston.

The Vermont Ski Areas Association says with last year's early closing and this year's restrictions, its financially crucial for resorts to find ways to stay open.
CREDIT NINA KECK / VPR
“The flip side of that is that right now, we have some pretty rigorous cross travel restrictions for quarantining, and that is something that we are worried about," Mahar said.

She added the state’s ski resorts are committed to following whatever rules the state sets, and if skiers and riders do likewise and plan ahead, she’s hopeful this year’s season won’t be interrupted.

Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message or get in touch with reporter Nina Keck @NinaPKeck.

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Correction 12:46 p.m. 09/21/2020 An earlier version of this story misspelled Jamie Storrs' name.

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