In this weird year, more US ski areas will be open on the first day of June than there were on the last day of March, as ski areas that still have snow at the start of summer begin to re-open there.
At least four US ski areas will be open for snowsports from June 1st 2020 in Colorado, Oregon, Washington State and Wyoming.
Crystal Mountain in Washington State (below) is the latest area to announce it will be re-opening for a final blast of snowsports, from 1st to 14th June.
It’s the sixth US ski area to re-open since the lockdown, following Mt Bachelor (pictured top) and Timberline in Oregon, Arapahoe Basin in Colorado and the Beartooth Basin summer ski area in Wyoming which is due to start its season on Monday June 1st too.
Mt Baldy and Mt Bachelor have since ended their seasons a second time.
All the areas that have re-opened have put very strict pandemic-spread-prevention measures in place, including restricting numbers on the slopes, insisting tickets be bought in advance online with ticket holders allocated staggered arrival times, social-distancing and hand washing points everywhere, limited numbers on lifts and PPE type face and hand coverings required.
Most of the areas are therefore selling out of daily ticket allocations fast, with Arapahoe Basin introducing a lottery system after its ticket sales system was overwhelmed and crashed. Lottery winners are contacted to learn they have won the right to buy up to four $99 day passes.
“We’re ready and excited to welcome you back starting June 1 for some spring skiing in Green Valley, but things are going to be different. We are committed to doing this responsibly with safety for our guests, employees and community at the forefront,” a Crystal Mountain statement reads, adding, “Getting back to the mountains to ski and ride will provide a much-needed lift to our physical and mental well-being, but irresponsible behaviour will not be tolerated.”