VAIL, Colo. (KDVR) — Vail Resorts confirmed on Saturday that they will suspend the operations of all of their North American mountain resorts and retail stores beginning March 15 through March 22.
During this time, CEO Rob Katz says they will reassess their approach for the rest of the season.
Vail, Breckenridge, Keystone and Beaver Creek are all owned by Vail Resorts.
Although lodging and property management operations will remain open to service service current guests, they will not be taking new reservations for the upcoming week.
Epic Mountain Express, the resort’s Colorado shuttle service, will continue operations to support the travel needs of guests.
Paid parking in the Vail Village and Lionshead parking structures is suspended effective at 6 p.m. today. Daily and overnight parking will remain free in these structures.
Corporate offices will be closed and employees have been asked to work from home.
Season and year-round employees will be paid while operations are suspended and will not need to use any vacation or sick time.
Gov. Jared Polis released the following statement after Vail Resorts announced they would be suspending operations:
“Colorado is strong and we will get through this together. The safety and health of our most vulnerable and of our communities is our top priority. I commend Vail Resorts for taking this difficult, responsible step and urge other mountains and resorts to do the same. Coloradans and our business community must continue to rise to meet the demand of these challenging times and everyone must do their part in stopping the spread of this virus.”
Prior to Vail Resorts suspending operations, FOX31 spoke to skiers and seasonal employees about about the changes they are seeing in the mountains.
“We could ski on almost anywhere and it was untracked lines,” skier Alyssa Larson said.
Alyssa Larson lives in Vail. She said the difference is noticeable on the slopes and in town where she was planning to get lunch after skiing.
“Oh yeah, I mean the restaurants are closed, we were supposed to go to lunch at one place today and they shut down,” she said.
Connor Mickell is a seasonal employee in Vail. He says there’s been a lot of cancellations at hotels.
“It is a little worrying working here not having as many people coming especially working in the ski shop,” seasonal employee Connor Mickell said, adding “It definitely seems like I may have to leave if it gets worse.”