STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Sun Valley Resort announced Wednesday that it will limit skiing to passholders Thanksgiving Day and the opening weekend to make sure skiers and boarders have enough terrain to physically distance and stay safe.
The resort plans to welcome day ticket guests “on or about” Monday, Nov. 30, and throughout the rest of the season.
Epic passes will be accepted on opening day and the weekend, but some of the passes purchased have blackout dates on holidays. Those with blackout dates also are not eligible at Sun Valley Nov. 27-28, Dec. 26-31, January 16 and Feb. 13-14. Individual pass restrictions can be checked at Epicpass.com.
Sun Valley Resort, which received at least six inches of new snow at the top of the mountain on Wednesday, will begin selling daily lift tickets on its website beginning Monday, Nov. 23. It’s anticipated lift tickets will be available for purchase on most days.
Guests are being asked to check lift ticket availability on the Sun Valley website at www.sunvalley.com before arriving at the mountain, particularly during holidays and early season as the mountain expands by opening runs. Sun Valley hopes to open Warm Springs and Dollar Mountain on Dec. 12, weather permitting.
Physical distancing and masks will be required in public spaces during the 2020-21 ski season.
The resort will institute an “Arrive Together, Ride Together” policy when it comes to loading the lifts. Guests will be advised to ride lifts and the gondola with members of their party.
Single riders will be loaded on double chairlifts and two people on the triple chairs and quads.
River Run Express Gondola will be loaded with individual parties, single riders or two riders sitting on opposite sides. Any rider wishing to ride a lift alone will be accommodated.
Seating in lodges will be limited and priority given to guests planning to dine. Roundhouse and Averell’s will be by reservation only. All other mountains lodges will be on a first-come first-serve basis.
There will be no bag storage in the base area lodges. There will, however, be outdoor bag checks at the base of River Run, Warm Springs and Dollar Mountain.
Guests booking a four-night minimum Thanksgiving Package will receive a discounted lift ticket and a $250 resort credit. Those who book by Nov. 30 at 1-800-786-8259 will receive up to 35 percent off lodging plus a discounted lift ticket.
Those with Bogus Basin or Snowbasin season passes may stay at the Sun Valley Lodge for $179 with the purchase of discounted lift tickets--$65 for adults and $40 for children.
PHOTO
You’ll need a pass to take part in Sun Valley’s opening day on Nov. 26 this year