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Signs of Uncertainty for the 2020-21 Ski Season
The COVID-19 impact on ski operations is not yet known.
Sunday, August 2, 2020, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com

2020-21 Ski Season


Not since World War II has the New England ski industry dealt with the operational uncertainties it is currently facing during the COVID-19 crisis.

  • Blandford permanently closed in March in part due to "present economic uncertainties."

  • Previously announced new lift projects at Loon and Okemo were cancelled in April.

  • Boyne Resorts discontinued season pass sales for Loon, Sugarloaf, and Sunday River on June 15 "to better understand any potential changes to next winter's operations."

  • Vail Resorts decided not to open Sunapee or Wildcat's summer attractions.

  • Sugarbush President Win Smith stated that "We will surely begin snowmaking as we normally do around November 1st if the temperatures permit" but "It may be that online reservations will become our new normal" and that "current quarantine measures that are in place here in Vermont and elsewhere will need to be followed and weekend visits for out of state guests could be impacted."

  • Killington and Pico CEO Mike Solimano stated that his resorts are hoping to "provide as much skiing/riding as possible," but that "it is clear that we will not have enough indoor space for everyone that will want to be indoors on busier days" and it is "likely that many guests will go from their car to the slopes and back to their car without ever going inside to a lodge – this will be the new normal for this season at Killington and Pico."

  • Lost Valley General Manager John Herrick stated, "We're not going to make any moves until the October-November time frame, because of the expense in making changes" and that "I hope we don’t (close). There’s always that chance."

  • Aspen Skiing Company (aligned with Stratton and Sugarbush owner Alterra) CEO Mike Kaplan announced last week that "We don’t have all the answers yet" and "there will be new procedures this winter, some of them annoying."

  • Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz announced last week that "we need to assume that we will still be dealing with the impacts of the virus throughout the winter season" and that face masks will be required at all times.


  • On the bright side...
  • Construction is underway for new chairlifts at Magic Mountain and reborn Saddleback Mountain.

  • Bousquet has been purchased and a triple chairlift is planned for installation this year.




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  • Snowmaking Underway at Killington - October 8, 2022
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  • Killington Base Lodge Demolition Underway - March 30, 2022
  • COVID-19 Outbreak Affects Killington Employees - December 30, 2021
  • Killington to Open Friday - November 3, 2021


  • More Information
  • Killington on NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
  • Sugarbush Resort News on NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
  • Lost Valley Ski Area News on NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
  • Killington on NewEnglandSkiHistory.com
  • Sugarbush Resort on NewEnglandSkiHistory.com
  • Lost Valley Ski Area on NewEnglandSkiHistory.com


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