Ski season has begun: Here's how resorts are adapting to the pandemic
The snow dances have (finally) worked, and multiple ski resorts in Colorado, California, Canada and beyond are now open.
Here in the U.S., A-Basin, Loveland, Keystone, Breckenridge, Wolf Creek, Mammoth and more have all fired up the lifts (or, at least, a few of their lifts), for early-season skiing and riding. But, as ski resorts now begin to open in earnest, there's a lot to know in terms of how things will work this year.
While the 34 Vail owned and operated resorts that fall under the Epic Pass are all using an advance reservation system (including at Keystone, which I visited on opening day), the 15 resorts that fall under the unlimited skiing provision Ikon Pass are each taking their own approach to the season.
And then there are the additional partner resorts and smaller mountains that aren't affiliated with any of the big pass programs that have also created their own new rules and safety protocols this ski season.
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Unlike the Vail-owned resorts on the Epic Pass, most of the North American mountain destinations belonging to the Ikon Pass program (such as Steamboat) will not require advance reservations for lift access at this time.
Some of the big exceptions in the Ikon Pass network, for now, are Taos, Jackson Hole, Aspen/Snowmass resorts, Arapahoe Basin, Big Sky, Loon and Brighton -- all of which have announced that advance reservations will be required, at least for Ikon passholders.
Related: Planning a ski trip with points and miles
The mountains that do require reservations are bookable to Ikon passholders through the Ikon website or app. For example, Ikon Base Pass members have access to up to five ski days at Arapahoe Basin, so you can book those days in advance online now.
Note that A-Basin will not be requiring its season passholders or those with a Mountain Collective pass to book ski days in advance. The resort's website says it isn't singling out Ikon passholders, but because the Ikon community is quite large, it may be necessary to prevent too many people from showing up at the same time.
Also, keep in mind that some mountain resorts, such as Colorado's Copper Mountain and Eldora, will require advance parking reservations, even if they don't require on-mountain ski reservations.
Other mountains, such as Wolf Creek (also in Colorado), are taking a very bare-bones approach to keeping the ski season as safe as possible by only offering lifts and restrooms at this time. If you're heading to Wolf Creek in the near future, the resort asks that you pack your own water and food to create an outdoor mid-day picnic. Other ski resorts have made it clear that there won't be any lockers, so you'll have to use your vehicle as your own personal locker and dressing room.
You can see a full chart of Ikon-affiliated resorts and their reopening plans online.
Just remember, the information for some ski resorts is still pending and procedures could, of course, change as we get deeper into the season. This is especially true as much of the country is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, which could affect the rules in the states and counties where these ski resorts operate.
Related: Which annual ski pass is best: Epic vs. Ikon vs. Mountain Collective
Bottom line
Regardless of where you plan to ski this season, you're going to need to do more planning than normal.
Some lift, parking and even on-mountain lunch reservations will need to be made in advance — though less so with Ikon-affiliated resorts than with the Epic Pass resorts. Regardless of where you ski, you'll need to book in advance; wear a face mask or cover while in lift lines, at ski lessons or indoors; plan to eat outside whenever possible; pack your own water; and potentially commit to an annual pass or buying lift tickets in advance, as same-day single-day lift tickets will be limited (or entirely unavailable) at many resorts.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.