Safety Protocols for 2021/2022. What to Expect this Winter in Vail, Colorado?

What is 2021/2020 going to bring us? Here is all you need to know to plan your 2021/2022 winter mountain gateway.

Vail Resorts is one of the first major Colorado companies to release restrictions ahead of the 2021 – 2022 ski season. The company owns Colorado ski resorts at Vail Mountain, Beaver Creek, Breckinridge, Crested Butte and Keystone, and dozens more across the country.

Beaver Creek Mountain | Safety Protocols for 2021/2022. What to Expect this Winter in Vail, Colorado?
Winter in Beaver Creek, Colorado

Vail Resorts announced Monday that face coverings will be required at its properties in indoor settings, including in restaurants, lodging properties, restrooms, retail and rental locations, and buses, during the 2021-22 ski season.

For the upcoming ski season, Vail Resorts will do away with some of last year’s Covid-related restrictions while adding new vaccination requirements. 

Proof of vaccination will be required of guests wishing to dine indoors, but will not be required for an indoor bathroom visit, according to Vail Resorts’ 2021-22 winter operating plan published Monday.

The ski operator also announced face coverings will be required at its properties in indoor settings, including in restaurants, lodging properties, restrooms, retail and rental locations, and buses, during the 2021-22 ski season.

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Winter Wonderland in Beaver Creek

Employee Safety

Employees will also be required to be vaccinated “for their safety and protection as well as the safety and protection of guests and resort communities, and in compliance with the recent rules announced under the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration,” according to the operating plan.

Vail and Beaver Creek spokesperson John Plack said current employees who are not vaccinated have until Nov. 15 to do so.

Vail is still on track for a Nov. 12 opening, according to a release sent out on Monday. Vail Resorts plans to open its ski season in October at Keystone in Colorado. Ten more combined openings are scheduled on Nov. 12 and Nov. 19.

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Vail Chairlift

Will reservations be required to go skiing/snowboarding?

As of now, Vail Resorts will not have a mountain reservation system this season and will load lifts and gondolas at normal capacity, optimizing guest movement around the resorts.  

Will you be physical distancing on chairlifts and gondolas?
No. We will load lifts and gondolas at normal capacity, optimizing guest movement around our resorts.

Will you be enforcing physical distancing indoors, or in outdoor spaces like lines and mazes?
Currently there are no public health orders in place mandating physical distancing indoors or on lifts or gondolas. We will continue to monitor those orders as the pandemic evolves and will follow all federal and local public health orders.

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Skiing in Vail, Colorado

Do I need to be vaccinated to ski and ride this season?
No. If you wish to access our resorts to ski and ride this season, a vaccination will not be required. Vaccines will also not be required in outdoor spaces such lift lines, chairlifts, gondolas, outdoor restaurants and restaurant patios, or in indoor spaces such as restrooms, lodging properties, full-service restaurants, and retail and rental locations. However, if you wish to access our indoor, on-mountain quick-service restaurants, proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required for those 12 and older.

Other key details from the announcement include Vail Resorts’ plan to operate gondolas at normal capacity, “optimizing guest movement around its resorts.”

Face coverings will not be required outdoors, in lift lines, or on chairlifts or gondolas, unless required by local public health orders, Vail Resorts confirmed.

Reservations will still be required for dining, but the company is expecting “significantly more seating and dining capacity than last season, and intends to open reservations one day prior, versus the day-of last season.”

Proof of vaccination will be required for guests ages 12 and over at all indoor, on-mountain quick-service (cafeteria-style) restaurants, and the requirement includes guests 12 and over in ski and ride school programs that include lunch.

The proof of vaccination requirement does not apply to fine dining establishments like The 10th at Vail.

“Consistent with many other large-scale indoor activities and venues, Vail Resorts believes the vaccine requirement is important for the protection of its guests and employees, given the number of people using these facilities and the fact that guests will not be wearing face coverings while eating and drinking,” the company stated. “This is currently the only part of the resort experience that will require proof of vaccination, unless required by local public health.”

Arapahoe Basin is also mandating vaccination for it’s employees, along with Aspen Snowmass.

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Having fun on the Mountain

Do not forget to buy your Ski Pass!

Epic Pass products are currently still available to purchase for the 2021-22 season, with prices reduced by 20 percent as compared to last year’s prices during the same purchase period. Offering the best deal in skiing and riding, the price reset applies to the entire portfolio of the Vail Resorts’ North American pass lineup, including Epic Pass, Epic Local Pass and Epic Day Pass; Whistler Blackcomb Unlimited, Whistler Blackcomb Day Pass and EDGE Cards; Summit Value Pass, Tahoe Local and Value Pass, and Northeast Value and Midweek Pass; Military Epic Pass and Adaptive Pass; and many more. More details can be found at EpicPass.com

Ski Pass | Safety Protocols for 2021/2022. What to Expect this Winter in Vail, Colorado?
Ski Pass

Do not forget to book your transportation from the airports to Vail early. This winter is going to be a very busy season so we recommend booking everything as early as possible to get the best deals available. Flying into Eagle Vail Airport? Book your private airport car service here. Are you flying into Denver Airport? Private Denver Airport shuttle is always the best way to go!

Vail Airport Car Service 2 | Safety Protocols for 2021/2022. What to Expect this Winter in Vail, Colorado?
Airport Shuttle Service offered by Vail Blue Sky Limo

Information Resources:

https://www.vaildaily.com/news/eagle-valley/vail-resorts-to-require-proof-of-vaccination-for-guests-at-restaurants-along-with-all-workers/

https://www.snow.com/info/winter-experience

https://news.vailresorts.com/corporate/media-advisory-vail-resorts-announces-indoor-safety-protocols-for-2021-22-season.htm

Vail Car Service | Safety Protocols for 2021/2022. What to Expect this Winter in Vail, Colorado?
Winter in Vail