Here’s how to social distance while recreating in the valley.
In Aspen, we’re grateful to have the vast wilderness of the Elk Mountains as our playground; seeking recreation in wide-open spaces is a large part of who we are as a community. Thankfully, social distancing is a natural part of a life lived outside. As you hit Aspen’s world-class skiing, hiking and biking trails this year, please do so while respecting local health and safety regulations. Check for mandatory face masks zones, follow the five commitments of containment, and visit Pitkin County’s website for the latest information and on COVID-19 in Aspen and Snowmass.
Before opening for summer operations, including the Snowmass Bike Park and the Aspen Mountain gondola, Aspen Skiing Company put into place procedures aimed at keeping guests, employees and the community safe and healthy. Some of those actions include capacity limits, line spacing, staggered check-in times, touchless digital enhancements, transportation changes and masks or other physical barriers wherever people interact. Because of the larger number of winter visitors, skiers and snowboarders should expect even stricter policies this year.
Some of the social activities Aspen is famous for (Cloud 9 Champagne lunches) will be greatly subdued. As Aspen Skiing Company president Mike Kaplan says, "No doubt, this ski season will be more of an old-school experience, but that could also translate to less noise, fewer distractions and, hopefully, more meaning."
Aspen Skiing Company’s Event Marketing Manager Tyler Lindsay says skiers should "be flexible and ski some terrain that might be off your menu. I plan to do a lot of skinning and keep the Tiehack powder laps going."
Photography by: Courtesy of Aspen Snowmass
