Updated Information for 2020-21 Winter Outdoor Recreation Guidance and Stay at Home Order (PDF)
National Ski Areas Association Update
All Ski Resorts General Policies For COVID-19
As you’ve seen in sports and other pursuits, things can change quickly during this pandemic, but for now, every ski resort around Tahoe is planning to open. Each one will require everyone to wear face coverings to access the mountain, including in lift lines, and while loading, unloading, and riding on chairlifts and gondolas. How they will be handling capacity and other variables varies by resort and can be found below.
Heavenly Mountain
Learn more about Heavenly’s COVID-19 plans
Heavenly resort will manage how many people are on their mountain this season by implementing a pass holder reservation system.
What If You’re Not A Season Pass Holder?
If you don’t want to get a season pass, you can gain the same access and flexibility as a season pass holder by purchasing an Epic Day Pass. This gives you the benefits of getting lift tickets for 50% off and the flexibility of picking between one and seven days of skiing/riding.
Once On The Mountain
So, you’ve got the face coverings dialed. Reservation is set and you’re finally on the mountain. What’s it going to be like? Vail Resorts guidelines to maintain physical distancing on chairlifts and gondolas will be to only seat related parties (guests skiing and riding together) or:
- Two singles seated on opposite sides of a four-person lift
- Two singles or two doubles on opposite sides of a six-person lift.
- Two singles on opposite ends of larger gondola cabins.
Kirkwood
Learn more about Kirkwood’s COVID-19 Plans
Since Vail also owns Kirkwood, the rules will be the same when it comes to safety policies, reservation system, and rules about chairlift loading policies. This means for Cornice Express (Chair 6), Sunrise (Chair 4), and Timber Creek Express (Chair 7), two singles could be seated on opposite sides. For all other chairlifts since they’re doubles or triples, expect only your group to be loaded on the lift.
Sierra-at-Tahoe
Learn more about Sierra-at-Tahoe’s latest COVID-19 Plans
Compared to the Vail Resorts above, Sierra-at-Tahoe has no plans of implementing a reservation system. Their focus will be on making sure and enforcing physical distancing protocols. This includes asking visitors to self-group with members of their party. They’ve also re-designed their restaurants so you can get food grab and go style.
Homewood Mountain
Learn more about Homewood’s latest COVID-19 Plans
Homewood is going a totally different route. They’re focused on reducing the number of skiers per acre two-fold. They are capping the number of skiers on the mountain per day AND reducing the amount of season passes that are up for sale. Translation: While Homewood is already an ultimate powder stash in Tahoe, if you can get on the mountain this year, you’ll be able to feast on even more fresh snow goodness. Instead of hanging out in the lodge, they’re also designing their food options so you can use your car as the tailgating spot.
Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows
Learn more about Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadow’s latest COVID-19 Plans
The current plan for Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows is that they will NOT use a reservation system. Instead, to reduce the volume, they will temporarily eliminate the sale of walk-up tickets at the window and reduce the amount of advance purchase tickets available for a given day.
So, will you be able to go skiing this winter? Absolutely! The best solution is to not wait and plan ahead. If you already know when you want to come up, book the tickets, reserve the days, and get your lodging set so you won’t have any stress once you get here.
Visit tahoesouth.com/explore/ski-snowboard for more.
