How to go skiing this winter

Residents and visitors encouraged to plan ahead and practice patience

[ By Kendra Walker ]

A day out skiing on the mountain looks a little different this winter, as COVID-19 health protocols have brought about a new resort reservations system, mask mandates and limited capacities with transit, retail and restaurants. Despite these new changes taking away the spontaneity we’re typically used to with living in and visiting this small mountain community, local officials are collaborating to ensure a fulfilling and cooperative ski experience this winter season.

“We want to set expectations with locals and visitors for this winter,” said Crested Butte town planner Mel Yemma, who has been working with Gunnison County, Mountain Express, the Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce, the RTA, Mt. Crested Butte, Crested Butte South and Crested Butte Mountain Resort (CBMR) to sort through the challenges that the area may face with transit, parking and general crowds this ski season. “We’re encouraging folks to rethink and plan ahead as they go to and from the ski area.”

Yemma suggests that folks adjust their routine to non-peak times, whether for skiing, après, shopping or dining in town. “Typically, you might just drive to the Four-way and hop on the bus, but you might have to rethink that,” she said. “If you’re used to getting on the bus to town at 6 p.m. for dinner, maybe go earlier or later.”

Bottom line, Yemma says, consider going places at non-peak times, plan ahead when using transit or parking and take advantage of restaurants’ delivery and takeout offerings.

And as a reminder, Elk Avenue in Crested Butte and the CBMR base area are both mandatory mask zones with face coverings required in all public indoor and outdoor spaces.

Transit and parking
The free Mountain Express bus service is operating with updated health and safety protocols in place based on county regulations and state guidelines.

At this time, the town shuttle and Crested Butte South shuttle are operating with 19 passengers. An 11-passenger limit is in place for the condo loops. Two additional buses will be added to the town route during both the morning and the evening to allow for increased capacity at peak times.

“We’re asking patrons to be patient and try to space out their trip knowing there’s a possibility they might have to wait for the next bus,” said Mountain Express managing director Jeremy Herzog.

Social distancing and face coverings will be required at all times on the buses. “We’re asking that people do their best to stay socially distanced and to wear masks. Food and drink will not be allowed to be consumed on the buses,” said Herzog.

Buses will also run with four open windows and the driver will open the doors at bus stops to keep fresh air flow onto the vehicles. “We’re doing everything on our end to keep the buses as safe as possible,” said Herzog. “We’ve also increased our nightly sanitation of buses and are disinfecting the buses every evening.”

Mountain Express has also hired a bus ambassador stationed at the Four-way Stop in the mornings and at the Mt. Crested Butte transit center in the evenings, seven days a week for the winter season.

“The intention is to have somebody from Mountain Express playing a customer service role to make everybody feel comfortable and answer questions,” said Herzog. The ambassador is there to organize the queues for the bus, enforce protocols, answer questions and communicate passenger numbers with bus drivers by radio.

If resort-goers choose to drive to the base area, there are currently two free Mt. Crested Butte parking lots at the base area, including the newly paved Rasta Lot and the Snowmass Lot. The resort’s paid parking lot is also available.

“We do recognize there’s likely to be more people driving to the resort than usual this season and are working to maximize parking efficiency,” said CBMR senior communications specialist Will Shoemaker.
CBMR is also encouraging its employees to park in the designated employee parking area, rather than using other public lots. “We do offer free parking for our employees and will focus on maximizing the number of spaces available on a daily basis,” said Shoemaker. “Also, to help protect everyone this winter, all business that can be conducted remotely by our employees is required to take place remotely.”

Skiing and riding
Reservations are required to access the mountain this winter. “To allow for physical distancing, we are managing access to our mountains through a reservation system this winter,” said Shoemaker. “All guests will require a reservation, but day lift tickets will be limited this season, so the best way for guests to access the mountain is with a pass.”

Guests are also required to maintain physical distance from other parties at all times, and CBMR is working to manage access and physical distance in all areas of the resort. “Remember that face coverings are required in all aspects of our operations,” said Shoemaker.

Chamber of Commerce executive director Stephanie Sandstrom also suggests that visitors planning to rent equipment should reserve gear ahead of time. Retail shops are currently limited to 50 percent capacity. “Due to limited capacity in the retail shops, it’s really important to make reservations ahead of time,” she said.

Food, après and dining
As with retail, restaurants are limited to 50 percent capacity at this time. Folks headed to ski the mountain are encouraged to bring their own food, and sack lunches are allowed at all of CBMR’s restaurants.

Base area restaurants and CBMR have grab and go services available for breakfast and lunch, including Coal Breaker Coffee Co. and WoodStone Grille within the Grand Lodge.

“While our full-service bars are closed this season, we will have packaged beer, wine and cocktails available at participating dining establishments, Butte 66 included,” said Shoemaker. Shoemaker also encourages guests to bring water with them while they’re skiing or riding.

For après-ski dining in Mt. Crested Butte or down in Crested Butte, folks should plan to eat early or consider takeout.

“A lot of our restaurants are getting creative with the grab and go concept,” said Sandstrom. “Those models are working really well.”

With everyone taking time to plan ahead and make adjustments this winter, Yemma and partners are hoping for a smooth ski season all while keeping the community safe and healthy.

“Reservations, reservations, reservations pretty much sums it up this winter,” said Sandstrom. “Everything is going to take a little longer with operations, but if everybody can just bear with us and be patient it will be a great experience this winter.”