November 15, 2020

The indications that this will not be a normal year for the ski industry are numerous. Despite that, we will admit we were a tad shocked when one of our home resorts announced that if you want to park your vehicle at the resort you will need a prior reservation. Snowbird has announced that if you want to park on their premises you must reserve. As stated on their website – “As part of Operation Stay Safe, Snowbird is implementing an online parking reservation system to help us ensure the wellbeing of all through the careful management of the number of people at the resort at any given time. This means whether you’re a season passholder coming for a few powder-day laps or a family looking to enjoy a day on snow together, you will need to let us know you’re coming.” (And for those you knowledgeable about the Snowbird set up, parking will not be allowed on the roadside – RT 210.) While some of us have wanted Snowbird to have this type of program due to the overcrowded parking situation generally, it has taken a pandemic for them to take this step.

AND as I was writing the above, guess what?! An Instagram from Killington got posted announcing their parking reservation system. While reserved parking systems may be a small matter given that most areas are going to reserved skiing, this is just another indication that we all must do our homework before we take off to go skiing. An industry that has historically prided itself on freedom and the lack of rules has been forced to live by many many rules. And perhaps reservation parking particularly hurts since it also limits the mobility of the American Sacred Cow – the automobile!

For more info on Snowbird’s parking program – Snowbird Parking Regs  Killington information  Killington Parking Regs

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!