March 31, 2020

Ever since the hammer came down on the 19-20 ski season last March 13/14 we have feared it would happen again. Indeed we have had some hiccups. CA skier visits were hammered early season by severe lodging restrictions during the December holiday season. VT imposed very restrictive travel conditions that imposed mandatory quarantine measures on out of state skiers. (We are not sure how many folks really paid attention to these, but it couldn’t have helped their numbers.) And yes there were the predictable outbreaks among resort staff.

But if you had told us at the beginning of the season that we would make it to April Fool’s Day without resorts having to close due to Covid we probably wouldn’t have taken that bet. Oh wait! We would have won the bet unfortunately.

British Columbia has witnessed a rise in Covid cases generally and this week singled Whistler/Blackcomb out as a cluster center.  Despite what was characterized as increased efforts in testing, tracing and vaccination programs for workers, the provincial health officer ordered the resort to close until April 19. The closure was announced as part of a “circuit breaker” approach that has also shut down many indoor activities. Whistler/Blackcomb initially suggested that Blackcomb would aim to open on April 19, but just announced they will cease winter operations completely for the season. The Coast Mountain News had this report – Whistler/Blackcomb Closure

Unfortunately, the Covid situation in BC is impacting other resorts. Revelstoke Mountain Resort has just announced that due to staff shortages in the mountain operations division “attributed to Covid-19 circumstances” they are ceasing winter operations immediately. There are no more specifics on their situation at this time but here is the statement from Revelstoke –Revelstoke Statement. Big White Ski resort has announced an early closing – next April 5th instead of their planned April 11th closing date. They too blamed Covid but in an odd way. They claimed that they had become a focal point for non local skiers because other areas had closed. See the resort’s statement – Big White Statement They also seem pissed off at non compliance at a recent party. Here is the apology from the restaurant owner – Charley Victoria Apology.

Other BC resorts seem to be hanging in there but have had to close most indoor facilities. Stay tuned but hopefully these are isolated events.

Be/Ski Well

By Kevin Dennis
conSKIerge co-founder

Kevin Dennis is a life long ski bum with a 34 year legal career on the side. Now retired, he skis 80+ days a year. While he lives in Alta UT in the winters, he has traveled extensively through skiing and has skied almost every major resort in North America (and many you have never heard of). He continues to hit the road often throughout the western United States and Canada and trips over the last several years have included ventures in British Columbia, Montana and Colorado. Whether you want to know about the behemoths like Aspen or Squaw or are interested in the road less travelled (Lost Trail Powder Mountain in Montana or Whitewater in BC anyone?), Kevin has been there, has an opinion and you will most likely have to tell him to shut up after a half hour!