State of 2021-22 Ski Resort Operating Plans, Opening Dates, and Updates
In the wake of the rapidly spreading COVID-19 Omicron variant, several resorts have added new mask mandates. No outdoor capacity restrictions have been reinstated as of yet.
Day Tripping from NYC to Hunter in Early December: Is It Worth It?
New York’s Hunter Mountain recently opened with a handful of trails. Last weekend, we found out whether the early-season experience was worth a day trip from the New York City metropolitan area.
Epic and Ikon Passes Are Going Off Sale. Here’s What You Need to Know If You’re on the Fence.
For prospective multi-day ski resort passholders, now is the last chance to get in on an Epic or Ikon pass product. With final deadlines fast approaching, we’ve compiled all you need to know to make a decision.
Whiteface Is Planning a New High-Speed Lift and Trails for Future Seasons. Here Are Our Initial Thoughts.
In preparation for a major 2023 competition event, New York’s Whiteface ski area is proposing a series of enhancements that have the potential to address lower-mountain crowding bottlenecks and annoying trail logistics.
Ratings Adjustment: Sierra-at-Tahoe, Homewood, and Whiteface Lift Scores
We’ve updated the way we factor hike-to terrain into our lift score criteria. Three resorts see score changes as a result.
State of 2020-21 Resort Operations
With COVID-19 cases continuing to persist across North America, we’re seeing some resorts tighten capacity restrictions or push back openings, either voluntarily or by state mandate. As you debate whether to book a trip this season, we’ve decided to aggregate all we know in one place.
California Bars Day-of Ticket Sales at Ski Resorts This Season
To limit mountain capacity and discourage last-minute traveling, California will no longer allow resorts to sell day-of lift tickets this season. Resorts are also asked to limit parking to ticket and pass holders only.
Many Holdout North American Destination Resorts to Open This Week, Parking Reservations at Copper and Snowbird Already Filling Up
By the end of this week, most of the resorts we’ve reviewed will be open for the 2020-21 season. With COVID-19 still a factor, we’ve detailed the access information for each of these mountains here.
Squaw/Alpine Opens A Day Early, Several Other North American Resorts Open This Week
Multiple North American resorts open for the 2020-21 season this week. We’ve detailed the opening-week access details for each of these mountains here.
Whiteface Now Calling New Beginner Lift “Falcon,” Removing Previous “Express” Language
Last week, updates to Whiteface’s website revealed that its new Bear Den beginner area lift will now be called the Falcon Lift. This comes weeks after the site temporarily showed the new lift with the misleading “Owl Express” name.