As the 2020-21 winter season fast approaches, Park City resorts are working hard to ensure that skiers, snowboarders, instructors and everyone else can stay safe on and off the slopes.

Park City Mountain Resort is set to open Nov. 20, while Deer Valley’s opening day is set for Dec. 5. Safety remains the top priority for resorts, which are strictly adhering to COVID-19 protocols and guidelines. Currently, Summit County Health Department has a mask mandate in place for public spaces and gatherings through Jan. 8 with expectation that it will be extended.

As resorts continue to detail their new operating plans for the season, we take a closer look to see just how different things will be. From planning ahead and making reservations to big changes in guest services and cashless transactions, here’s what to expect at Park City resorts this season.

For more information and coronavirus updates in Summit County, visit https://summitcountyhealth.org/coronavirus/.

DEER VALLEY RESORT

Know before you go: Come ready to hit the slopes! Perhaps one of the most notable changes at Deer Valley this year is that self-service lockers and overnight basket storage will not be available for use by guests, except for those renting equipment. Also, there will be no benches available to use for putting boots on inside. Deer Valley asks skiers come dressed and ready to ski.

Additionally, masks or face coverings are required throughout Deer Valley property — when waiting in line, interacting with staff, riding, loading and unloading chairlifts, in outdoor common areas when physical distancing is not possible and at all times indoors (unless actively eating or drinking while seated at a table). Currently, reservations are not required for skiing though the resort will continue to uphold a daily occupancy limit.

FAQs:

Q: Do I need to make reservations to ski at Deer Valley?

A: “Deer Valley Season, Ikon Pass and Ikon Base Passes, or advance-purchase lift tickets are the only way to access the mountain this winter season. Reservations are not currently required for these pass types. For those using daily lift tickets, please purchase online well in advance of your visit to guarantee the best rate and avoid disappointment. Currently, we do not expect walk-up, single-day tickets to be available during the winter season. Tickets will not be available to purchase at the Ticket Office, only online.”

Q: How is Deer Valley safely loading chairlifts and gondolas this season?

A: “Deer Valley’s lift policy limits chairlift occupancy to people from the same guest party; two willing individuals or staff, not from the same party, seated on opposite sides of a quad or triple chairlift; or one individual guest per double or gondola cabin. Face coverings are required while waiting in line, loading and unloading chairlifts.”

Q: Will ski valet services still be available in loading zones?

A: “Guest Service Attendants will be available to assist with unloading equipment and will remain physically distant while handling guests’ equipment. Face coverings are required while unloading equipment and interacting with Deer Valley staff.”

Q: Can I store my skis overnight?

A: “Complimentary daytime and overnight ski storage facilities, including the ski corrals and basket check, will be open daily. Guests will not be allowed to approach the Ski Corral doors. Instead, they will interact with a staff member who will be stationed at each door. Door-specific (Black, Red, Yellow, Blue or Silver Lake) lines that allow for physical distancing will be in place.

“When storing equipment at one of our Ski Corrals, it is very important that the entire parties’ equipment is dropped off at the same color-coded door. Guests will be given a colored tag with a number. Upon return to pick up equipment, guests must go to the corresponding-colored door as their tag. Ski Corral attendants will not be able to take different colored tags at one time.

“Ski waxing will not be offered at the Ski Corral, and guests are required to wear face masks when using the Ski Corral services.”

Q: Are reservations required for daytime dining at Deer Valley?

A: Yes. “Daytime dining will look quite different this winter, with tables placed to allow for physical distancing as required by current health orders, requiring us to lessen capacities in our restaurants. Snow Park, Silver Lake and Empire Canyon Lodges will feature table service and Snow Park Restaurant will also be open for breakfast. Beer, wine, and cocktail service at these restaurants will be available during the lunch period. However, these restaurants will ONLY be available with advance reservations. No walk-ins or non-dining guests will be allowed in the restaurants at any time. More information will be communicated to our guests about making day restaurant reservations in coming weeks.”

For more details and information, visit https://www.deervalley.com/about-us/covid-operations.

PARK CITY MOUNTAIN RESORT

Know before you go: In addition to strictly enforcing the use of face coverings and physical distancing requirements throughout all resort property, Park City Mountain is implementing a new reservation system for the winter. For the vast majority of days, Park City Mountain will be able to accommodate everyone who wants to visit, but the new reservation system will help manage capacity and give guests the space needed to stay safe this season. Also new is the Epic Mountain Rewards program, which gives Epic Pass holders a 20% discount on food and beverage, lodging, group ski and ride school lessons, equipment rentals and more.

All transactions at Park City Mountain this winter will be cashless. This includes at resort hotels, restaurants, Ski and Ride School, and all other points of sale. For the best experience, book and pay online in advance.

FAQs

Q: Why do you have a reservation system?
A: “For your safety, we are managing the number of guests on-mountain. Pass-holder reservations will be required every day of the season to make sure that from holidays to powder days, guests have the space they need to enjoy our resorts safely. As such, reservations will be required every day of the season at every resort for all guests. Pass holders will have priority access to the reservation system to book their preferred days before Dec. 7, and lift tickets will not go on sale until Dec. 8.

Q: How many reservations can I book?

A: “The type of pass you purchased will determine the number days you will be able to reserve.

• “Season Pass: You can hold up to seven (7) Priority Reservation Days at any one time. Once you ski or ride on a Priority Reservation Day, you can reserve a new one. In addition, you are able to reserve as many week-of reservations during the Early Season (opening day through Dec. 7) and in the Core Season (Dec 8. through April 4). That means you can have up to 14 reservations at one time with both your Priority Reservation Days and week-of reservations.
• “Epic Day Pass / Edge Cards / Multi-Pack Passes: Similar to Season Passes, you can hold as many reservations as your pass type allows. For example, if you have a 4-Day Epic Day Pass, you can hold up to four Priority Reservation days. Or use some of your days to book week-of reservations in the Early Season or Core Season to ski or ride when you want.”

Q: What happens if I miss my reservation?

A: “Our goal is to accommodate everyone who wants to ski and ride at our mountains this season. To make that happen, we need your help. As a pass holder, you should only book week-of reservations for days that you plan to use. We understand plans change, but if you repeatedly miss or cancel a week-of reservations (or Priority Reservation Days booked within two weeks of the reservation date), you may lose the privilege to make reservations in advanced, for a period of time.”

For more information and reservations details, visit https://www.epicpass.com/info/reservation-details.aspx, and https://www.parkcitymountain.com/Plan-Your-Trip/Lift-Access/Reservation%20Details.

Q: How is Park City safely loading chairlifts and gondolas this winter?

A: “To allow for physical distancing on our chairlifts, we will only be seating related parties (guests skiing or riding together) or: two singles on opposite sides of a four-person lift; two singles or two doubles on opposite sides of a six-person lift; or two singles on opposite sides of our larger gondola cabins. All guests will be required to wear face coverings while in lift mazes, riding chairlifts and inside gondolas.”

Q: What will the on-mountain dining experience be like this winter?
A: “We plan to open a majority of our on-mountain restaurants this season. To allow for physical distancing, we will be managing the number of people in our restaurants in accordance with public health requirements and will monitor guests coming in and out of restaurants at the entrances.

“Our approach to each restaurant will be a little different, depending on the layout and flow of each facility. Our full-service, sit down restaurants will operate with reduced seating, spaced to enable physical distancing. At most of our large, quick-service restaurants, we intend to reconfigure our ‘scramble areas’ to have a cafeteria-style approach, where guest come in and go through a single line, pass all the food options until they get to the cashier. Food options in quick-service restaurants will be more limited this season, with just a handful of ready-to-go hot and cold options and no ability for any custom or special orders.”

For more details and information, visit https://www.parkcitymountain.com/explore-the-resort/about-the-resort/winter-experience.aspx.