COVID Ski Resort Rules
As we head into a new ski season, many locals and travelers are trying to figure out how to navigate mountain COVID policies. We put together this quick guide to help you plan your next 'sick' day out of the home office.
Most mountains adopted similar policies, here's the first thing to know, no matter where you go!
Face coverings must be worn at all times in and around resorts, except when riding or skiing downhill or eating in a restaurant/designated dining area. All times include walking from the lot to the lodge, lift lines, and while riding lifts.
When it comes to booting up, don't count on finding a bench in the lodge. Most resorts are limiting lodge time to eating and warming up. Your best bet is to boot up in the parking lot, leaving behind anything that doesn't fit in your pockets or your pack.
Pro-tip courtesy of Bolton Valley. Have everyone except the driver boot up at home, especially the little ones. Once you get to the mountain, unload the crew with all the gear and take a lap while the driver parks and boots up.
If you're traveling from out of state, you'll need to follow the state-mandated quarantine guidelines:
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Travelers arriving to Vermont in a personal vehicle must complete either a 14-day quarantine or a 7-day quarantine followed by a negative test in their home state and enter Vermont without further quarantine restrictions.
- Travelers arriving to Vermont who have not completed a pre-arrival quarantine must complete either a 14-day quarantine or a 7-day quarantine followed by a negative test in a Vermont lodging establishment or with friends and family (travelers must stay in their quarantine location for the duration of quarantine other than to travel to and from a test site).
Head here for more cross-state travel information.
All skiers and riders at most mountains will have to sign a one-time attestation form. Check their respective websites for details.
Bolton Valley
Lift Tickets
Bolton Valley is looking to minimize cross counter interaction as much as possible. So tickets can only be purchased online, in advance. If you're reading this post from the parking lot, grab your cell phone and give the Bolton Valley call center a call to answer any questions (802-434-3444).
Riding the Lift
When riding with members of your traveling party, you are permitted to load the chair to capacity; otherwise, the limit is 50% of the chair's regular capacity. If you find yourself sharing a chair with a new friend, make sure you sit on opposite sides of the lift.
Dining
With the expectation of State restrictions on seating capacity, bar and dining access will be limited. The Resort is expanding it's take out operations and will allow guests to order over the phone and pick up when ready.
The Lodge
With the State limits on indoor seating capacity, Bolton strongly encourages quick lodge visits, taking only the amount of time it takes to eat or limiting warm-up sessions to 30-minutes or less. Upon entering the base-lodge, you will be required to record your entry time to help with their "Share the Warmth" initiative.
Sugarbush
Sugarbush will be operating cash-less this season, so be prepared with your credit card before you hit the road for the mountain.
Lift Tickets
Like most other mountains, tickets can only be purchased online. If you bought Quad Packs, an Ikon Pass, or a similar ticket bundle, then you'll have to redeem your tickets in advance for a specific day. You can learn more and redeem your tickets here.
The website mentions a limit to the number of tickets sold each day, but there's no mention of what that limit might be. The online ticket portal shows limited inventory for specific days, but this could be a reflection of their flexible pricing model. Your best bet is to watch the weather and buy in advance to guarantee you make a few turns this season.
Riding the Lift
Just like the rest of the state, Sugarbush will be limiting lift ridership to those in your traveling party or two strangers to a quad, sitting on opposite sides of the chair. The singles line will be eliminated. Solo skiers and riders should join the rest of the corral.
Dining
You'll be able to find limited sit-down service by reservation at the Green Mountain Lounge, Rumble's Bistro and Bar, and Castlerock Pub. Grab and go service will be available throughout the Resort from multiple venues. You can place an order or reserve a table here!
The Lodge
The Gate House and Mt. Ellen Lodge will both be limited in capacity. Neither lodge will offer boot up areas (find a good camp chair for tailgate gear setup) and will restrict access to warm-up areas to ticketed guests only. Bathrooms are open, but again, with limited capacity.
Mad River Glen
Lift Tickets
If you're not a shareholder at Mad River, you'll need to purchase your tickets online in advance. The mountain will also restrict skier access to a high of 75% and a low of 50%. They created a nifty color-coded operating matrix that explains the daily operational level.
Dining
The Snack Shack will be open seven days a week, regardless of operating color level. The Birdcage will be open for food service on weekends at the Green Operating Level.
The Lodge
Check the snow report to see what COVID operating level is enforced that day. Most indoor areas will be limited to warming, so plan accordingly.
Stowe
Stowe will be operating cash-less this season, so be prepared with your credit card before you hit the road for the mountain.
Lift Tickets
EPIC pass holders will need to reserve in advance to ski or ride at Stowe. Pass holders have up to 7 reservation days available at any given time. Once a reservation has passed, the pass holder gets another day to reserve. In their words, "Each day a pass holders reserved Priority Reservation Days is used, a new Priority Reservation Day becomes available in their account."
Riding the Lift
Tell us if you haven't heard this before, but ridership will be limited to those in your travel party. No one will be forced to ride a lift with someone outside of their party. Gondolas will serve members of the same group or provide six feet of distance between guests. The windows will always be open to improve ventilation.
Dining
Sit down dining will be available by reservation. Meanwhile, the Resort is expanding its quick-serve dining options at Mansfield Café, Midway, Octagon Café & Gallery, and The Waffle. Unfortunately, full-service bars across the Resort will be closed, though packaged beer and wine will be available at most locations.
The Lodge
Stowe will be operating its lodges at a limited capacity. While they don't rule out booting up in changing areas, they ask that you be prepared for rooms to hit capacity. The mountain encourages you to pack a lunch considering the limited food options, and just like Bolton Valley; it encourages you to eat swiftly to allow other guests time to warm up and enjoy lunch.
Smuggs
Smuggler's Notch isn't as straightforward as its neighbors regarding limitations and restrictions, but they also encourage skiers and riders to boot up at the car as space will be restricted in the lodge. Those looking to warm up will be limited to 30 minutes (per state mandate).
You can buy tickets ahead of time here.
The mountain will be increasing the number of bathrooms and arranging corrals to promote social distancing. Dress with extra layers because warming huts will be limited.
Things will certainly be different this year, but with a little patience and social distance, we'll all be able to enjoy some fresh winter air and have a great season!
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