Ski Travel 2020/2021 Season

[JTG]

Sooo....who knows what the new season will bring? Who knows how I (and everyone else) will feel about flying, hotels, etc? Too many unknowns...but that shouldn’t stop the wheels from going into motion! A guy’s gotta dream.

Share your observations, thoughts, and plans regarding travel in the upcoming season.

My first observation is that booking airline tickets will be less risky than in a typical year. Delta (on bookings made by 12/31/2020) and JetBlue (on bookings made by 2/28/2021) are waiving change and/or cancellation fees. So, if you book a trip, and either CV-19 screws things up OR you get skunked on weather or conditions you can rebook or cancel without penalty. That will make it easier to put a trip on the books!

With a La Niña season in the cards the PNW could be good. I watched that Winter Park video (in Best Ski Videos) and I’m intrigued by possibly flying into Denver and taking Amtrak to Frazier-Winter Park (no car? no traffic?). SLC I want to get back to.

Who else has learned interesting tidbits or started planning something?

 

[Milo Maltbie]

I'm planning at least 2 trips to Denver to visit my son. We both got ABasin season passes because they announced that there would be no restrictions for passholders. I'm not sure if I'll fly or drive, and I have no idea if I'll get anywhere else but Gore and ABasin. So far, none of my friends want to make any plans.
First SKI mag came today, so I've got that going for me, which is nice.

mm

 

[Brownski]

I’m a homebody so I probably wouldn’t be flying anyway but I’m wondering If VT will loosen up their travel restrictions by December. As it stands, day trippers and weekend ends from my county aren’t welcome. I’m sure most people will just ignore that but I’m not sure how I feel about it. I’m kind of a rule-follower when it comes to stuff like this.

 

[MarzNC]

Finished planning a month ago. Three trips out west with friends set up for Dec, early Feb, and Apr. Meaning lodging reservations are made and plane tickets on Southwest have been bought. Are you sure you want to know all the things I've learned in the last four months?

All the major airlines have done away with change fees. That certainly opens up options. For instance, flying to Bozeman to ski Bridger and Big Sky might get on the list in the future. As opposed to flying SW to SLC and driving from there.

In Dec, I'm flying to SLC, then driving to Jackson for a few days. Going with a couple friends who are intermediates who haven't ever been to JH or GT. They bought the MCP to cover skiing out west this season. We'll finish with a week staying at Snowbird based on timeshare trading.

My primary ski buddy is meeting up with a couple other ski buddies in Denver in Dec. One is also a big planner and we talk about ski trips every summer. The other ski buddy happens to be from upstate NY and flies out of Albany. They will ski for a week in CO based on Ikon. Then Bill is driving the planner to Jackson. She'll fly back east from Jackson. Who knows where Bill will go ski before he heads home to Albuquerque. (Bill is also a New Yorker, pushing 70, a bachelor, and a North Country School alum. He may not be a 46'er, but has probably climbed well over 25 of the big Adirondack mountains.)

I've definitely shifted thinking when it comes to lodging for any travel that requires staying overnight. Inclined to find people to share slopeside lodging instead of getting a solo lodge or motel room. When it comes to motels, I'm looking for places with exterior doors. If not available, would rather be in a smaller 2-3 story where riding the elevator isn't absolutely necessary instead of a 7+ story hotel. First choice is to look for a Best Western.

 

[MC2]

I am not a rule follower, but I don’t know if I want to be stuck in a plane with a bunch of other people right now.

My plan is to buy a van and do a bunch of road trips.

 

[takeahike46er]

I suspect ski areas are going to be fairly busy this winter—particularly in the northeast—as evidenced by the crowds at trailheads this summer. With indoor activities limited due to Covid, city dwellers will continue to seek out alternatives. That’s my prediction anyways.

If the border restrictions remain in place, I suspect Jay Peak and other northern northeastern resorts will be quieter than usual without the Montreal visitors. Most Canadians won’t bother making the visit knowing they have to quarantine for 14 days when they return home. I can attest—they are following up with regular phone calls ensuring compliance.

With border crossings out of the question for most, I’m going to stay north of the border this season where visits will likely be down if the border remains closed to Americans. I’m moving to Vancouver in the new year, and I figure this is the time to ski Whistler for the first time. I’m just bummed I won’t be able to check out Mt. Baker this winter as it looks to be my kind of place based on my visit last fall. The slackcountry looks extraordinary.

 

[Harvey]

Welcome TAH46.

Sounds like exciting times. You may be our only link to the Canadian Rockies this year so stay in touch!

 

[jasonwx]

I’m a homebody so I probably wouldn’t be flying anyway but I’m wondering If VT will loosen up their travel restrictions by December. As it stands, day trippers and weekend ends from my county aren’t welcome. I’m sure most people will just ignore that but I’m not sure how I feel about it. I’m kind of a rule-follower when it comes to stuff like this.

I am not a rule follower, but I don’t know if I want to be stuck in a plane with a bunch of other people right now.

My plan is to buy a van and do a bunch of road trips.

This is the only plan that makes sense..
You can boot up and eat comfortably in the van, and the thought of getting into a bed that isn't mine is beyond me. Imagine laying your head on a pillow that someone else has been drooling on and coughing on?

 

[Campgottagopee]

I'm staying home and going skiing

 

[Benny Profane]

Day trips.

You're really getting on a plane? To go skiing? It's that important? Then, yeah, you're going to sleep on a well used mattress and pillows and then, where are you going to eat? The last is the most toxic environment, if you ask me. A nice, enclosed, poorly ventilated restaurant/bar.

We'll see. Maybe the worst is over. I doubt it.