The snow has melted, COVID-19 restrictions are loosening and Summit County ski areas are gearing up for summer operations. The four Summit County ski areas all provide summer activities from mountain biking trails to weddings. While not all activities will be able to take place in full force due to the coronavirus pandemic, the ski areas have taken steps toward varying levels of opening.
At Vail Resorts-owned Keystone Resort and Breckenridge Ski Resort, two lodging properties opened: the Hyatt Place at Keystone and Gravity Haus in Breckenridge. Keystone’s Golf Course also opened on Friday. According to Keystone spokeswoman Loryn Roberson, other Vail Resorts-owned and operated properties are accepting reservations beginning June 19 with flexible booking and cancellation policies.
Roberson said in an email that the resorts are “hopeful to open summer operations in late June/early July.” Keystone’s typical summer operations include a bike park, stables, lakeside activities and scenic chairlift rides. Breckenridge also offers mountain bike trail access and scenic chairlift rides as well as zip line tours, the Alpine Slide and the Goldrunner Coaster during normal summer seasons.
In a letter from Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz regarding the reopening process on May 21, Katz noted that the resorts “cannot open everything all at once” and that individual summer businesses are being reviewed and will open on their own timetables. Katz said he anticipates operations will include limited activities and fewer guests
At Copper Mountain Resort, spokeswoman Taylor Prather said in an email that the resort is planning to open on July 4 with hiking, mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides, disc golf and limited dining options. Copper Creek Golf Course will open on July 3 with 18 holes of golf. Prather reported that some of the resort’s typical summer activities, such as the Woodward WreckTangle, go-karts and lake activities will not be available this summer.
“We are focusing our efforts on providing experiences that encourage social distancing and represent the best of summer in the mountains such as hiking, biking, scenic chairlift rides, disc golf and golf,” Prather said in an email.
