With social distancing, face coverings and separated lift queues, the big question remains, “Who will get to go skiing this year, and how will ski areas adapt?”
In March of this year, many of Idaho’s ski areas ceased operating during one of the most profitable times of the season. According to National Ski Areas Association news release, the 2019-20 season would have been the fourth best season on record since the NSAA began surveying visitation if the ski season had continued along its track prior to the pandemic.
Tips up because there IS good news! As ski operators prepare for the upcoming ski season, resorts are incorporating virus prevention into their winter operating plans and most resorts have posted key operational changes ensuring a 100% commitment to safety. All resorts will be updating protocols with sharing of chairs and gondolas and limitations regarding indoor spaces (lockers/storage and dining areas) as plenty of things will change between now and the first day of skiing. The resort will make decisions with guidance from the National Ski Areas Association and state and county health directives.
Said Brundage General Manager Ken Rider, “This winter will look different because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but our plan is to do everything we can to be able to operate the entire season and deliver a great and safe experience on The Best Snow in Idaho”.
And for a family friendly Idaho deal: The Idaho Ski Areas Association offers the Idaho Peak Season Passport allowing 5th graders to ride three days for free at all 18 Gem State ski resorts and offers 6th graders two days free at 17 mountains. It is open to any child from any state or country -- not just Idaho kids. So let’s ski well, be well, see you on the slopes!
Bogus Basin
Bogus Basin will not limit access to skiing and riding and no reservations are required. The new e-waiver enables contactless delivery of guests’ season pass. They’ve also doubled snowmaking coverage, updated the Simplot Lodge interior and expanded outdoor seating capacity, and made plans for more outdoor food & beverage outlets for the winter season.
You can find more information on parking/shuttles, ski school/rentals, and lift operations at BogusBasin.org
Tamarack Resort
In addition to a ski season pass, guests can also purchase an All-Season (year-round activities) Boundless Passes online by creating a new profile or using one’s existing profile on your existing season pass or express card, Just sign a waivers digitally and never wait in line! If you are a full/unlimited season pass holder for the 2020-21 season, make sure to check out the Indy Pass AddOn! You’ll get 2 days at over 50 resorts for a special discounted price.
You can find more information on parking/shuttles, ski school/rentals, and lift operations at TamarackIdaho.com
Brundage Ski Resort
Brundage Mountain will not limit access to skiing and riding and no reservations are required. If it becomes necessary to limit capacity at some point due to CDC or local Health Department guidance, Brundage Mountain would pivot to advance sales and reservations on daily ticket products, but not with season pass holders or Select Card holders.
You can find more information on parking/shuttles, ski school/rentals, and lift operations at Brundage.com
Schweitzer Mountain Resort
Schweitzer anticipate limits on day of on-site ticket sales but does not expect any limits on season pass holder visits (or mid-week visits). For guests who purchase a season pass, Nov 15, 2020 is the deadline to roll pass purchases over to the 2021/22 season if guests are not comfortable skiing/riding during the 2020/21 season for any reason.
You can find more information on parking/shuttles, ski school/rentals, and lift operations at Schweitzer.com
Soldier Mountain
The Phillips Fire passed directly through the heart of the beautiful mountain. The lodge and lifts are still intact but the bridge that gives access to the resort was destroyed
Diane and Matt McFerran have owned and operated Soldier Mountain for the past five years and in September 2020, they sold the ski area to Ascent Ventures, a Utah company, who has planned many improvements for the mountain experience. At time of press, there has been no announcement of a date of re-opening.
You can find more information on re-opening and and lift operations at SoldierMountain.com
Grand Targhee Resort
Grand Targhee's quiet unpretentious beauty, deep powder, down-to-earth and friendly people and no lift lines make it a gem of a destination. Targhee is now a part of the Mountain Collective and with this new relationship comes unlimited 50% off lift tickets for all 2020/21 season passholders. Also if the ski resort does not reach 100 days of operation during the 2020/21 winter season, pass-holders will receive a 1% credit toward a 2021/22 season pass for each day they fall short.
You can find more information on parking/shuttles, ski school/rentals, and lift operations at GrandTarghee.com
Sun Valley Resort
Sun Valley Resort will not implement a reservation system or visitation limits for season pass holders or Epic Pass holders this winter. The resort may, however, restrict the number of day tickets it sells each day if necessary. This year’s passes include a Pass Protection Program that covers a mandated resort closure due to COVID, personal injury, pregnancy and military service. ]
You can find more information on parking/shuttles, ski school/rentals, and lift operations at VisitSunValley.com.