‘Stay Alive and Survive’: Ski Resorts Brace for a Pandemic Season

In Colorado, the Aspen Skiing Company, which operates four ski areas, has had steady business since reopening on Nov. 25, but will miss out on the 20 percent of its yearly visitors who come from other countries, a spokesman, Jeff Hanle, said. He said Aspen might also see fewer out-of-state travelers, especially if they live in places where they have to isolate upon their return.

“You’ve got to be a pretty dedicated skier to say, ‘I’m going to go ski, and I know when I go home, I’ve got to quarantine,’” he said.

Even if resorts make it through the winter, smaller businesses that rely on skiers coming to town — like restaurants, hotels and retail stores — might not be so lucky.

At the Stratton Mountain Resort in Stratton, Vt., an Irish pub called Mulligan’s has laid off half of its staff. Since visitors to Vermont, which gets 80 percent of its ski traffic from other states, have to quarantine for either one or two weeks before they can go anywhere, the owner of Mulligan’s, Tom Rose, said he expected to lose up to 60 percent of his normal winter sales.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/25/business/stay-alive-and-survive-ski-resorts-brace-for-a-pandemic-season.html