Taking the Kids: Spring skiing
“Absolutely. I’m glad we did it,” said Arthur Mintzer, adding that if he missed anything, it was the chance to eat and warm up inside.
In some cases, the restrictions have enhanced the experience, said Nick Besch, skiing with his family at Copper. Because parking reservations are required, Besch explained, he doesn’t have to leave Denver at the crack of dawn to make sure of getting a decent spot. “And I like how it’s not as busy this year,” added Sydney, 9.
Besch said he hoped the parking reservation system would last beyond the pandemic.
Brisa Garcia, who moved this winter from San Diego to Colorado, said the pandemic has encouraged her friends to get out of their comfort zone. “We’re beach people,” she laughed. “But working remotely, people are more open to going places and doing things you never did.”
"From what we’ve heard from our member ski areas, there is high demand to ski and ride this season as it is one of the few naturally socially distant winter activities that people can engage in. And, one with a low risk of virus transmission when public health best practices are implemented,” said Adrienne Isaac, a spokesman for the National Ski Areas Association.
Of course, retailers and restaurants have been taking a big hit, as have some hotels. “People are definitely opting in for longer stays as they can work from wherever and obviously condos are more conducive to this,” suggested Tucker Vest Burton, a spokesman for Aspen/Snowmass, which is touting a kids-ski-free deal. They’ve introduced Max 5 Lessons for all age groups, capping all group lessons at five people. Smaller lessons mean more one-on-one attention and families enjoy the chance to explore the mountain and learn together.
(Four Mountain Sports is incentivizing families with kids 7 to 12 to rent ski equipment with the company by providing a free lift ticket at Aspen Snowmass, valid for the entire length of your rental if lodging is booked through Stay Aspen Snowmass (minimum two-night stay).
There are kids-ski-free deals around the country. (Check the Kids-Ski-Free Guide to resorts from The Points Guy.)
In Utah, for example, two children, 10 and under, usually ski for free at Brighton with the purchase of one adult ticket. The Maine Winter Kids app offers many discounts (and even free skiing programs) on skiing, as well as other activities throughout the state.
The historic Alta Lodge has been offering kids-free stay (and eat) deals every month, including April 4 through 17, with the lowest rates of the season. The package includes complimentary supervised kids’ activities apres ski.
...continued
(c) 2021 DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
