Header Image: Kjell Ellefson | Location: Mt. Norquay Banff, Alberta
Over the past four days, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the United States began to impact the ski resort industry with tremendous force. Beginning on March 12, major ski resorts like Jay Peak shut down their lifts in order to encourage social distancing, protect guests and employees from spreading and contracting the virus and thus contribute to plateauing the exponential growth of the Coronavirus outbreak. Since then, Alterra Mountain Company and Vail Resorts have announced the closure of all North American resorts, Colorado Governor Jared Polis enacted an executive order requiring all of the state’s ski resorts to close for at least a week, major resorts including Alta, Snowbird, Jackson Hole, Killington and Big Sky all announced closures, either indefinitely or through the end of the season.
While a majority of the major players in the resort game have closed, and vocal industry veterans have urged all ski resorts to take a step back via social media, there do remain ski areas that are still operating amidst the Coronavirus outbreak. We’ve compiled this list of North American ski resorts that remain open. Many resorts cite the fresh air and outdoor atmosphere as a reason to stay open amidst a pandemic, while many resorts in Canada reference the threat level to western Canada as low. This remains a fluid situation, and resorts are subject to close at any time.
UPDATE: This post reflects closure put into place beginning March 18, 2020.
EDITOR’S NOTE: THIS LIST IS MERELY A FACTUAL REPRESENTATION OF WHICH SKI RESORTS HAVE CHOSEN TO REMAIN OPEN DURING THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK. SMALL SKI TOWNS AND RURAL COMMUNITIES WHERE MANY OF THESE RESORTS AND SKI AREAS ARE LOCATED LACK THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO DEAL WITH AN OUTBREAK IN THEIR TOWNS. PLEASE RECONSIDER ANY NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL THROUGH THESE COMMUNITIES.
UNITED STATES
49 Degrees North, Washington
Lifts are operating today, see the updates here – https://t.co/OKBYu7mcAs
— 49DegreesNorth (@49DegreesNorth) March 17, 2020
Alyeska, Alaska
Aerial Tram is closed, dining services are suspended. Access by chairlift only.
Andes Towder Hills, Minnesota (Open Weekends)
Bogus Basin, Idaho
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Brian Head Resort, Utah
Buena Vista Ski Area, Minnesota
Cannon Mountain, New Hampshire
“Under the directive of Governor Sununu, Cannon Mountain is to remain open until further notice, but with sharply curtailed services in order to reduce guest / guest and staff / guest interaction. Thanks for your patience and understanding as we work hard to provide you with skiing services while trying to meet both the Governor’s directives and CDC guidelines.
Aerial Tramway
• Base and Summit buildings closed
• Aerial Tram closed
Peabody Lodge
• Rental & Repair shops closed
• Cannonball Pub closed
• Food Court offers take-out only
• 50 seats on main level, loft closed
• Outside seating open
• Lower level closed
• Adaptive Program & space closed
Notchview Lodge
• Tickets sold at outside windows only
• Season pass transactions online only
• Notchview Lodge closed
• Retail shop closed
• Patrol Room and guest locker room open via slopeside door
Brookside Learning Center
• Nursery closed
• Lessons & rentals closed for kids and adults”
Discovery Ski Area, Montana
“At this time, it is difficult to know how severe this outbreak will be but we have seen the first cases arrive in Montana and the Governor has declared a state of emergency. At this time, we are monitoring the situation closely and plan to remain open until our closing day on April 5th. We remain vigilant in maintaining a high standard of cleanliness across the resort. “
Eaglecrest Ski Area, Alaska
“At this time, Eaglecrest Ski Area remains open, though we have implemented changes in response to coronavirus disease (COVID-19). As events unfold in the community, the public may see other changes at Eaglecrest designed to keep everyone healthy and safe.”
Granite Peak Ski Area, Wisconsin
Gunstock, New Hampshire
“Gunstock remains open for skiing and riding. Guests may purchase tickets online and from the Ticket Window. Gunstock Ski & Sport is open. The restrooms on the Ground Level and Upper Level (next to Gunstock Ski & Sport) are both open. Everything else here at the mountain is closed, and all remaining events for the season have been canceled to avoid crowding.”
Labrador Mountain, New York
“Looking forward short term, our conundrum remains. Both mountains still have a crap load of great snow and Wednesday as well as both days this weekend are promising bouts of bright sunshine. So, today we will be taking a short pause and try to boil down our options given the current difficult business environment. Obviously our ultimate goal is the health and wellbeing of our patrons and our staff.”
Lookout Pass, Idaho
Lutsen Mountains, Minnesota
“On Monday, March 16, Governor Walz held a press conference presenting an updated executive order with new rules effective 3/17/20 – 3/27/20 for bars, restaurants and certain recreational facilities. Ski areas were not included and upon further review of the order and consultation with the Governor’s office, the outdoor portion of our operation is not impacted, however, all indoor portions of our operation will be adjusted to meet all required protocols. We plan to remain open for skiing, believing outdoor recreation and time spent in the outdoors is good both mentally and physically and can be accomplished while meeting the recommendations of local and state health agencies and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The health and wellbeing of our guests, employees, and community is our top priority. As a part of that commitment, we are closely monitoring statements and updates from local, state and federal health agencies on cases of coronavirus (COVID-19), and we are following and will continue to adhere to their guidance and recommendations.”
Magic Mountain, Idaho (open Saturday, March 21)
McCauley Mountain, New York
Meadowlark Ski Lodge, Montana
Montana Snowbowl, Montana
“Following Health Dept directive take out food only will be served and use of the Lodge and Last Run will be limited.”
Mount Bohemia, Michigan
Mt. Hood Skibowl, Oregon
“As business and other resorts throughout the region have made the very difficult decision to suspend operations, we’re currently intending to continue operations throughout the week on a revised schedule starting Monday March 16th from 12pm to 8pm. Again, we’re paying very close attention to new developments as they unfold and may likely continue to make additional adjustments as needed.”
Nordic Valley, Utah
“Nordic Valley is open daily. Sunday, March 29, 2020 is Nordic Valley’s scheduled closing day”
Pebble Creek, Idaho
Pine Mountain, Michigan
Royal Mountain, New York (Open Weekends)
Schweitzer, Idaho
“The COVID-19 crisis is an evolving situation and at this point, we are taking extensive precautions to protect our guests & staff from the spread of the virus. We hope to continue operating until our closing date of April 12 but please continue to check in with us for updates as this situation progresses.”
Ski Apache, New Mexico
“At this time, Ski Apache is open and has no immediate plans to alter our mountain schedule, however we are continuing to monitor the ever-changing situation.”
Ski Brule, Michigan
“Ski Brule is open for snowsports and plan to remain open for skiing and riding until mid April.
The Governor has ordered food and bar service, the main floor and 3rd floor of the lodge and Homestead closed.”
Sleeping Giant Ski Area, Wyoming
Snowy Range Ski Area, Wyoming (closing March 22)
Tamarack Resort, Idaho
“Tamarack plans to continue our winter operations through our projected closing date of April 5, 2020.”
Terry Peak, South Dakota
“Terry Peak Ski Area (Terry Peak) is taking every precaution to protect the health and safety of its guests and will remain open.
“Like most of you, we are closely monitoring the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) both globally and here at home in the Black Hills,” said Terry Peak General Manager Tom Marsing. “The health and safety of our valued guests is always our number one priority and we are taking all necessary precautions throughout the ski area, including food service and dining areas.””
Waterville Valley, New Hampshire
“In an effort to address health and safety concerns surrounding COVID-19 while providing the skiing and riding services we all love; Waterville Valley Resort will be making some changes to our operations.
Effective, Monday, March 16, 2020, we will continue to operate lift services with a heavy reduction in facility and service operations with an emphasis on social distancing. We will be reviewing operations on a daily basis.”
Whitecap Mountains Resort, Wisconsin
CANADA
Castle Mountain, Alberta
“Effective immediately (March 17), Castle Mountain Resort will enact additional measures to help mitigate the risk of COVID-19 spreading within Alberta and Canada. These include:
- Open discouragement of international travelers from visiting
- As per Government of Canada guidelines, all persons arriving in Canada, from international destinations, should self-isolate for 14 days – not be skiing our resort
- Guests may be asked for ID to substantiate their claims
- Guests presenting Powder Alliance and/or Indy Passes, of international origin, will not have their passes honoured.
- Removal / discontinuation of all third party ticketing programs including those in Costco Wholesale locations, online at Costco.ca, online through Liftopia.com, and in-store through AMA Service Center locations.
- Further reduction in seating density on the main level of the Castle Mountain Resort day lodge
- Westcastle Lounge & Joe’s Cafe are now both closed
- Cancellation of upcoming live music in the T-Bar Pub
- Cancellation of Trivia Night in the T-Bar Pub
- Reduction in the seating density of the T-Bar Pub
- At this point, outdoor events such as Beats in the Base and Jib in the Park remain scheduled”
Hudson Bay Mountain, British Columbia
“Hudson Bay Mountain Resort has been in contact with our Local Health and Environmental Safety Officer to ensure we are in compliance with all safeguarding procedures and we are hopeful we will be able to continue to operate the resort for the community through till the end of the season. We will continue to implement safe guard procedures to protect our guests and team from the spread of COVID-19, through guidelines detailed by the BC Ministry of Health;
- Increased sanitation and disinfecting of surfaces, payment terminals, door handles, and other surfaces that are commonly touched by the public
- Re-training employees on hand washing protocol and hygienic practices
- Ensuring soap is readily available at hand washing stations.
- Guests have the option to ride alone on the T-Bar or chairlift, if they wish to maintain a distance from other guests
- Today the BC Ministry of Health made a request for British Columbians to cancel gatherings of larger than 50 people. We will be doing so through the cancellation of our Thrilling Thursday Events and Community Weekends. As this health concern is an actively changing situation Hudson Bay Mountain Resort Management will continue to monitor the situation though BC Ministry of Health updates and will make changes as needed”
Lake Louise, Alberta
“The Lake Louise Ski Resort is open for skiing, riding, tubing and snowshoeing. As always your safety and the ability to enjoy Canada’s Natural Playground with your family and friends continues to be our main mission. All of the staff at Lake Louise, in coordination with Alberta Health Services (AHS), are working night and day to ensure we meet that goal.”
Loch Lomond, Ontario
“While COVID-19 has yet to reach Thunder Bay – it is now considered a pandemic by the World Health Organization, and because of this Loch Lomond is staying vigilant in combating germs and mitigating concerns.
The health, safety, and well-being of our guests and staff are and always will be top priorities here at Loch Lomond Ski Area. We are following the lead of Canadian public health authorities and we remain committed to providing a safe experience at Loch Lomond Ski Area.”
Baldy Mountain Resort, British Columbia
Currently -1 with Baldy Blue Skies and 3cm of fresh snow in 24 hrs.
— Baldy Mountain Resort (@baldymtresort) March 16, 2020
Beat the Monday Blues with Baldy Blue! pic.twitter.com/vivReSufbn
