COVID-19 Brings Changes to the Vail 2020-2021 Ski Season

Ski season will be here before we know it, but it’s going to look a lot different this year. COVID-19 has brought changes to all aspects of our lives and the upcoming ski season is no exception.

If you’re planning to hit the slopes this winter, there are a few things you should know.

Prepare to Hit the Slopes with Safety and Social Distancing in Mind

Hopefully, this can be a positive occurrence in some way and will reduce ski injuries and ski accidents, as ski and snowboard collisions have been increasing due to the crowded slopes.

The primary goal of local officials and all of the decision-makers involved with Vail’s 2020-2021 ski season is safety. Vail offers world-class skiing and riding and rest assured, COVID-19 won’t change that. But it will change exactly how a day at the slopes looked in previous winters.

Vail’s operating plan this year includes changes that incorporate safety measures specific to the virus. This includes:

Limiting the number of people on the mountains
Implementing a pass-holder reservation system

Epic Pass Holders Enjoy Access to a Convenient Reservation System

Despite the limits, everyone who wants to ski or ride is expected to get an opportunity to do so. The reservation system provides peace of mind and ensures everyone has the space needed to physically distance and feel safe during their visit.

Vail Epic pass holders receive priority and enjoy benefits such as:

Exclusive early-season access
All-season access with week-of reservations
Early lift ticket access on priority reservation days during the core season

Pass holders are eligible for a refund before the core season if they miss their preferred priority reservation days.

Additionally, time to determine what you want to do for the upcoming season has been extended beyond the existing Labor Day deadline to September 17^th. Many people are still deciding what the coming weeks and months will look like. Should anyone opt to sit it out this year they are eligible for a refund.

Accidents Happen – We’re Here to Help

There’s a lot of excitement in Vail and throughout the winter sports community about the upcoming season. But safety must be everyone’s first concern. Skiing, riding, and other outdoor winter sports are a great opportunity to get out and enjoy all that Vail has to offer, even with our unusual circumstances.

As usual, safety is also a concern for Bloch & Chapleau LLC. We know this upcoming season will be unlike any other and we want to make sure everyone enjoys winter sports as safely as possible.

We know that skiers assume some risk of injury when they hit the slopes, but winter sports facilities are also responsible for the safety of visitors. If an entity does not explain the risks of skiing or fails to put adequate safeguards in place, they can be held accountable for their inaction. This is true for the usual collection of common injuries on the slopes, as well as for COVID-19 social distancing guidelines and safety amidst a pandemic.

Bloch & Chapleau LLC is a Colorado personal injury law firm located in Vail, Frisco, and Denver. We help those injured on the slopes and anywhere else file and pursue personal injury claims. Our goal is to help you get compensation for their injuries. If you were injured because of another person’s or business’s fault, you could be entitled to financial compensation.

To discuss any concerns you have about safety on the slopes once this upcoming ski season is underway or to talk about your injury, contact Bloch & Chapleau LLC by calling toll free (303) 331-1700 or completing our online contact form.