STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Sun Valley Resort has ended the ski season four weeks ahead of schedule in response to the coronavirus.

Officials announced that Sunday afternoon that Bald and Dollar mountains will close for the remainder of the 2019-20 winter season in response to the coronavirus. Snowbasin Resort is closing, as well.

Sun Valley Resort had planned to stay open through Easter Sunday, April 12.

Mountain operations, including lift operations, ski school, dining outlets, retail and rental services, will close effective Monday, March 16, although locker holders will be able to access their lockers.

Restaurants and lodging in Sun Valley Village, including the Sun Valley Lodge and Inn, will continue to operate with limited services until further notice.

The announcement came as no surprise to skiers who showed up to ski a few inches of new powder Sunday morning. Rumors began circulating as soon as skiers and boarders began boarding the chairlift, fueled by the closing of Vail, Aspen, Squaw Valley and other North American resorts, as well as skis resorts in Switzerland and Italy.

“I fear this may be the last ski day of the season,” said a man who works in a medical clinic in Twin Falls.  “I’ll finish out the day and then go home and buy dog food—my friend in Ogden says they’re having trouble finding dog food.”

“All it would take is one ski patroller to come up positive for coronavirus and they’d have to close down because they wouldn’t have a ski patrol,” added another skier.

Sun Valley’s General Manager Tim Silva, a passionate skier, said closing the mountain was a difficult decision to make but the right thing to do given current local, state and national efforts to limit crowds as health officials attempt to corral the coronavirus.

“While we have taken many precautionary measures to date, we feel it is now our obligation to make this tough decision in the interest of health and well-being of our employees, guests and community,” he said.

Lift tickets lessons and rentals that were purchased online and dated March 16, 2020, or later will be refunded automatically. Call 1-888-490-5950 or email lifttickets@sunvalley.com for questions regarding Sun Valley. Call 801-620-1000 or email info@snowbasin.com for questions regarding Snowbasin.

Uphill travel by those who wish to ski or snowshoe up the mountain will be allowed at Sun Valley. Snowbasin has closed such travel until further notice.

Grand Targhee announced Sunday that it would close on Monday. Bogus Basin near Boise closed night skiing but continues to operate. Brundage Mountain near McCall intends to continue operating through April 12. Jackson closed its aerial tram but continues to operate despite concerns of its employees. Alta and Snowbird have suspended operations indefinitely.

In addition:

• Galena Lodge announced it will close the lodge, ski shop and ski school. The Galena Spring Loppet is cancelled, as is Ride, Stride and Glide. Galena yurts will remain open through April 20.

  The Blaine County Recreation District will, however, continue to groom the Nordic trails daily, providing people a chance to get exercise and fresh air as has been advised by health officials.

• The Wood River Community YMCA announced that it is temporarily closing its facility and suspending its programs, including its Child Watch program. There have been no reported incidents of exposure at the Y, said Executive Director Jason Shearer.

  However, the Treasure Valley YMCA disclosed a potential COVID-19 exposure at its Downtown Boise YMCA earlier in the week.

• Sun Valley Bridge announced it would offer online lessons while the Wood River YMCA is closed.
• Zenergy Health Club and Spa also announced that it will be closed until March 31, at which time its closure will be reevaluated.
• Mountain Humane Adoption Center will close to the public until March 31, and the Barkin’ Thrift Store will be closed, as well.

  The Intake Center will continue to operate by scheduled appointments. Call 208-788-4351 to make an appointment.

  The Community Paws Program will maintain pet food deliveries to local residents who have fallen on difficult financial times. The Paws for Hunger Foodbank Program, in partnership with the Hunger Coalition, will also continue to provide pet food to families that need it

  Impound services will continue as normal. But the free Community Spay/Neuter Clinic is suspended, as are Humane education and school programs and dog training classes.

  Staff and volunteers who are not required onsite to take care of the 60 animals currently at the shelter  and who would feel more comfortable working remotely will be encouraged to do so, said Executive Director Annie McCauley.

• While France—and Ohio and Illinois—have closed down cafes and restaurants, local restaurants are takingmeasures to protect diners. The Sawtooth Club, for instance, announced that waiters would avoid seating people at adjacent tables. And they will use tablecloths to add an extra layer of sanitation after tables have been wiped down.