Skiers should call first
COVID -19 restrictions may change resort operations./
It’s turning out to be the best of times and the worst of times for skiers and ski resort operators.
With more than 2 feet of snow blanketing parts of New York and New England, winter sports enthusiasts should have a great weekend in the fresh powder — if, that is, they’ve already purchased season passes or reserved lift tickets.
If not, some will find themselves out in a more figurative cold: Amid spiking COVID -19 cases, many areas have halted sales for the weekend and during the Christmas-to-new Year’s period, which is traditionally the busiest time of the season.
For the owner-operators of ski areas, most of whom will be open by Saturday, the snowstorm along with the onset of cold snowmaking weather is a welcome change after what had been an unusually warm and dry season so far.
But due to social distancing protocols in place at virtually all areas, the base lodges, après ski bars, restaurants, shops and even lodging facilities are operating at a fraction of their capacity, factors that when combined with limited lift ticket sales means significant lost revenue.
For skiers and snowboarders, the most important thing to know is whether the resort they are heading for still has open slots or is sold out, information that would be posted on the hill’s website.
The state Olympic Regional Development Authority’s Whiteface, Gore and Belleayre resorts are currently selling Mondaythrough-friday ski tickets outside of holiday periods and weekends, said spokesman Scott Christiansen.
Others, such as Windham and Hunter in the Catskills, also have blackout days when only passholders or advanced purchasers can come.
“Know before you go,” said Scott Brandi, president of the Ski NY trade association.
As with other outdoor activities, demand for lift tickets is high this year after months in which people have been cooped up inside with COVID -19 restrictions.
But all of the areas have instituted limits on capacity, meaning people should call ahead. Another tip: Be flexible in where you want to ski or ride. If Hunter and Whiteface are sold out, for example, there may be spots at other regional ski centers such as Plattekill, Catamount, Maple Ridge, Willard Mountain or West Mountain near Glens Falls.
“We’re trying to manage it as best we can,” Brandi said.
The Capital Region is near numerous Vermont resorts, but those hills have the same restrictions and are requiring quarantines for people who cross the state line.
The restrictions will certainly hit the bottom line for many resorts, which typically make money on items like food and beverage services and on-site ski shops. There also are caps on how many ski lessons or classes are available each day.
“Our ancillary revenue sources — food and beverage, especially, as well as retail and lessons/programs — are obviously going to be hit hardest because of the limitations on indoor spaces and group sizes,” said Adrienne Saia Isaac of the National Ski Areas Association.
“We won’t know the full extent of that (loss) until we collect our data toward the end of the ski season,” she said.
Isaac noted that as more snow falls and winter progresses, ski resorts will open more terrain and lifts, allowing for people to be more spread out across their mountains.