Get ready for some spring skiing, Colorado!
Arapahoe Basin Ski Area recently announced that it will be opening its slopes this Wednesday, May 27, but with some restrictions.
According to Summit County officials, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment approved the reopening of the ski area "in response to Summit County's health-order variance request, which petitioned the state for various exceptions to restrictions contained in state public health orders." Dine-in services and short-term rentals were denied variance requests.
Amy Wineland, Summit County Public Health Director, said in a statement:
"Many of Colorado’s earliest cases of COVID-19 appeared in Summit County and other mountain communities, so we enacted restrictions before the rest of the state. Local residents and businesses have been very diligent in adhering to those restrictions, and we have succeeded in flattening the curve here.
"We’re ready to take a step forward in the reactivation of Summit County’s amazing recreational opportunities, so we’re excited about receiving the go-ahead on alpine skiing. However, we believe our local case data, contact tracing capabilities and hospital capacity do meet the thresholds for the other components of the variance request, and we are disappointed with the state’s decisions regarding restaurants and short-term rentals."
A-Basin will allow for a maximum of 600 per day, and skiers will need a reservation as access will be very limited. Passholders and those interested in a single-day lift ticket can make reservations* on the A-Basin's website.
*Please note that the online store is currently down. A new system will be up and running by Tuesday, May 26, around midday.
In addition to the capacity limit, skiers and snowboarders will be required to wear face coverings or masks in certain areas. Tailgating is not allowed. A-Basin staff "will actively police the parking lots to ensure compliance with all state, county and company mandates."
The ski lifts will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with uphill access available from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m., starting on May 27. Black Mountain Express Lift, Pallavicini Lift, and Lenawee Lift will be open and available, while Montezuma, Beavers, Lazy J, Molly Hogan, The East Wall, and terrain parks will remain closed.
A closing date has not yet been determined.
If you're interested in making a reservation or would like more information on the new restrictions, visit the Arapahoe Basin Ski Area's website.
Will you be hitting the slopes at A-Basin? Are you excited to get out and ski/snowboard again? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
