Letter from the President
20-21 Winter Update
November 10, 2020
As we’re starting to see snow pile up on the slopes, and as our winter operating plans have become more clear, I’m writing to connect with the Crystal community again with more details regarding our plans for this winter.
Last month, we reaffirmed our intention to operate safely this winter and previewed some of the changes we’ve been planning in order to make that intent a reality—from more outdoor dining and on-hill takeout to new weekday passes and a stringent mask policy. We’ve been open and transparent, but as we’ve been developing the details of this plan, we know you still have a lot of questions about this winter.
So, in an effort to dive into the very specific details, we’ve created an “In the Know Guidebook” to help you navigate all the shifts and changes for this winter. We’ve outlined the rules, the guidelines and the etiquette required to pull this off. It’s required reading whether you log 50 days a season or are just planning your first trip to Crystal. Please read it carefully to understand the safety policies, updates to services and the changes to our on-mountain experience. We’re counting on every member of our community to do their part.
As part of an entire industry, we have worked closely with the Governor’s office and other state officials to update safety mitigation requirements for winter. Here’s a quick rundown of some changes that will affect how you navigate your day on the mountain.
Health Code of Conduct and Six-Foot Rule
To help us keep our resort healthy and open for adventurers of all types, we will ask our guests to commit to our health code of conduct, and continue to wear a face mask, frequently wash their hands and maintain at least six feet of distance from others. Furthermore, before hopping in the car for a day on the snow, we all need to take a moment to assess our current health, and if we’re not feeling right, we ask that you make the decision to sit it out until you’re feeling better.
Advance Booking Only for Tickets, Gear and Lessons
Advance planning is essential. Walk-up sales for lift tickets, rental equipment and lessons have been discontinued so you’ll need to book online in advance. We are planning to open the sale of tickets, lessons, and rentals online starting November 12, 2020.
No Reservations for Passholders, For Now
To start the season, passholders will not be required to make a reservation to ski. We hope to continue throughout the year without reservations but we have a newly developed reservations system built-out and ready-to-go in case conditions arise that make such a system necessary.
More Outdoor Seating, On-Hill Takeout, Mobile Table Reservations
Our lodges will operate under the State’s indoor dining guidelines, (currently limiting indoor capacity to 50% of normal). As such, we will be offering a mobile-app table-reservations system to allow you to pick a time to come inside, warm-up, and have a meal. We’ll also be introducing mobile ordering that will allow us to have your food ready for you during your reserved time, or to order at one of our many new outdoor food-service locations, making it easy to grab a meal on the go. We’ve also added several outdoor seats, fire pits, and a 3,000 sq ft. temporary “lodge” structure in the base area to offset the loss of indoor seats.
Fast Track Rental Setup, Limited Shop Capacities
Our retail and rental operations will operate under the State’s indoor retail guidelines, limiting these spaces to 30% of their normal capacity. Reserving your rentals online in advance will help us to have your equipment ready and waiting when you arrive and to deliver a faster and easier rental experience than ever.
Distanced Lift Lines, Ride with Your Crew
Guests will be asked to ride chairlifts and the gondola with members of their traveling party only and will not be asked by our lift operators to partner up with other riders. Skiers and riders in lift lines will be asked to maintain six feet of distance between parties.
B-Lot Reservations System
RV reservations will be online only, a tough decision that we outlined a few weeks back. If you missed it, please see the announcement here.
Cash-Free Transactions
We’ve largely eliminated cash-payments on the mountain in order to reduce the circulation of bills between staff and guests so please bring your credit or debit card.
New Shuttle Lane
We’ve added a dedicated shuttle lane in A lot to keep the shuttles running as efficiently as possible since capacity will be limited on shuttles to maintain proper distancing. There will also be a dedicated drop-off lane with an unload zone near the top of A lot.
Additional Safety Procedures
Alongside these changes, we are committed to healthy practices and to doing our part to battle the spread of COVID-19. As always, our priority is the health and comfort of staff, community, and guests–and for that reason, we will be taking extra precautions and safety measures during this time. It’s just the right thing to do, right now.
It’s going to be different at Crystal this winter—but with more than 3,000 acres of terrain and plenty of space to spread out, we’ll all have plenty of room on our mountain. We remain committed to providing fun and memorable mountain experiences for our community and won’t let mitigating the risks to COVID-19 stand in our way of doing so.
We want to be clear though, that we’re calling upon the community to be flexible, to be calm, to be respectful and, above all else, to be kind. With all the work and all of the adjustments we’ve made—both big and small—I’m confident we will deliver the experience worthy of our extraordinary terrain and beauty. I also have great faith in our community to do the same.
As a reminder, your pre-season homework is to plan ahead and review our “In the Know Guidebook.” It’s even more important than waxing your skis, finding your boots or watching that same snowboard movie one more time. Think of it as your ticket to powder days this winter. Our guidelines might change as conditions shift and we’ll keep you updated all winter long.
I know we’re all dreaming of that first turn this season. And, it won’t be long before the snow stacks up and we’re all skiing and riding together again. It’s the release, the reset and the recharge we all need right now. And, as skiers and snowboarders, we can all feel it in the air.
See you all soon, at Crystal.
Frank DeBerry
President & COO
rich-text, responsive-table
As we’re starting to see snow pile up on the slopes, and as our winter operating plans have become more clear, I’m writing to connect with the Crystal community again with more details regarding our plans for this winter.
Last month, we reaffirmed our intention to operate safely this winter and previewed some of the changes we’ve been planning in order to make that intent a reality—from more outdoor dining and on-hill takeout to new weekday passes and a stringent mask policy. We’ve been open and transparent, but as we’ve been developing the details of this plan, we know you still have a lot of questions about this winter.
So, in an effort to dive into the very specific details, we’ve created an “In the Know Guidebook” to help you navigate all the shifts and changes for this winter. We’ve outlined the rules, the guidelines and the etiquette required to pull this off. It’s required reading whether you log 50 days a season or are just planning your first trip to Crystal. Please read it carefully to understand the safety policies, updates to services and the changes to our on-mountain experience. We’re counting on every member of our community to do their part.
As part of an entire industry, we have worked closely with the Governor’s office and other state officials to update safety mitigation requirements for winter. Here’s a quick rundown of some changes that will affect how you navigate your day on the mountain.
Health Code of Conduct and Six-Foot Rule
To help us keep our resort healthy and open for adventurers of all types, we will ask our guests to commit to our health code of conduct, and continue to wear a face mask, frequently wash their hands and maintain at least six feet of distance from others. Furthermore, before hopping in the car for a day on the snow, we all need to take a moment to assess our current health, and if we’re not feeling right, we ask that you make the decision to sit it out until you’re feeling better.
Advance Booking Only for Tickets, Gear and Lessons
Advance planning is essential. Walk-up sales for lift tickets, rental equipment and lessons have been discontinued so you’ll need to book online in advance. We are planning to open the sale of tickets, lessons, and rentals online starting November 12, 2020.
No Reservations for Passholders, For Now
To start the season, passholders will not be required to make a reservation to ski. We hope to continue throughout the year without reservations but we have a newly developed reservations system built-out and ready-to-go in case conditions arise that make such a system necessary.
More Outdoor Seating, On-Hill Takeout, Mobile Table Reservations
Our lodges will operate under the State’s indoor dining guidelines, (currently limiting indoor capacity to 50% of normal). As such, we will be offering a mobile-app table-reservations system to allow you to pick a time to come inside, warm-up, and have a meal. We’ll also be introducing mobile ordering that will allow us to have your food ready for you during your reserved time, or to order at one of our many new outdoor food-service locations, making it easy to grab a meal on the go. We’ve also added several outdoor seats, fire pits, and a 3,000 sq ft. temporary “lodge” structure in the base area to offset the loss of indoor seats.
Fast Track Rental Setup, Limited Shop Capacities
Our retail and rental operations will operate under the State’s indoor retail guidelines, limiting these spaces to 30% of their normal capacity. Reserving your rentals online in advance will help us to have your equipment ready and waiting when you arrive and to deliver a faster and easier rental experience than ever.
Distanced Lift Lines, Ride with Your Crew
Guests will be asked to ride chairlifts and the gondola with members of their traveling party only and will not be asked by our lift operators to partner up with other riders. Skiers and riders in lift lines will be asked to maintain six feet of distance between parties.
B-Lot Reservations System
RV reservations will be online only, a tough decision that we outlined a few weeks back. If you missed it, please see the announcement here.
Cash-Free Transactions
We’ve largely eliminated cash-payments on the mountain in order to reduce the circulation of bills between staff and guests so please bring your credit or debit card.
New Shuttle Lane
We’ve added a dedicated shuttle lane in A lot to keep the shuttles running as efficiently as possible since capacity will be limited on shuttles to maintain proper distancing. There will also be a dedicated drop-off lane with an unload zone near the top of A lot.
Additional Safety Procedures
Alongside these changes, we are committed to healthy practices and to doing our part to battle the spread of COVID-19. As always, our priority is the health and comfort of staff, community, and guests–and for that reason, we will be taking extra precautions and safety measures during this time. It’s just the right thing to do, right now.
- We will be using online ticket inventory to limit the number of skiers and riders on the mountain at one time so that our guests can maintain social distancing across the resort.
- We have added ski-to-car terrain to reduce the demand on our shuttle system at the end of the day and have added shuttle-only lanes in the A-Lot to speed shuttle movement.
- We will continue to practice enhanced cleaning procedures, including night deep cleaning in key areas, sanitation of lockers and Nanoseptic coverings in high touch areas.
- We have added fully plumbed outdoor bathroom facilities to address the demand for the restroom. Even if you have to go, you won’t have to go inside.
- We plan to offer modified versions of ski and ride lessons and rentals that will allow for smaller group interactions, social distancing and a greater focus on outdoor spaces.
It’s going to be different at Crystal this winter—but with more than 3,000 acres of terrain and plenty of space to spread out, we’ll all have plenty of room on our mountain. We remain committed to providing fun and memorable mountain experiences for our community and won’t let mitigating the risks to COVID-19 stand in our way of doing so.
We want to be clear though, that we’re calling upon the community to be flexible, to be calm, to be respectful and, above all else, to be kind. With all the work and all of the adjustments we’ve made—both big and small—I’m confident we will deliver the experience worthy of our extraordinary terrain and beauty. I also have great faith in our community to do the same.
As a reminder, your pre-season homework is to plan ahead and review our “In the Know Guidebook.” It’s even more important than waxing your skis, finding your boots or watching that same snowboard movie one more time. Think of it as your ticket to powder days this winter. Our guidelines might change as conditions shift and we’ll keep you updated all winter long.
I know we’re all dreaming of that first turn this season. And, it won’t be long before the snow stacks up and we’re all skiing and riding together again. It’s the release, the reset and the recharge we all need right now. And, as skiers and snowboarders, we can all feel it in the air.
See you all soon, at Crystal.
Frank DeBerry
President & COO
rich-text, responsive-table