Schweitzer Mountain visits will be different, but still fun
As we continue the transition to our winter season, we are still trying to adapt and plan for what will be an unprecedented winter on the mountain.
Like all the professional sporting events (MLB, NBA, NHL, NFL) I have planned to establish daily limits on skier visits in response to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. My highest priority is the safety and wellbeing of our staff, pass-holders, and guests. I have analyzed historical skier visit trends to establish what I think will create a comfortable experience for everyone and think our plan will work best for these uncertain times.
We want you to know that your resort experience is going to be significantly different this winter as we adapt to the pandemic. At this time, we are planning on offering more grab & go items in all of our food service outlets, cancelling any plans for après entertainment in Taps, and have confirmed that the SRD will not be running their community shuttle. There will be more changes to come but hopefully, things will improve as the season moves along. In the meantime, we are planning for the worst-case scenario and hoping for the best.
The snow arriving in the village has created somewhat of an urgency to complete all our on-mountain improvements while we refine our protocol for the coming winter season, with many questions about parking, transportation, and shuttle services.
With the current status of the hotel construction process, I anticipate a shortage of underground parking for guests in the main lot which will compound challenges we already face in the Gateway and Fall Line lots. Although limited, we will still have seasonal reserved parking in the main lot for those who already purchased parking passes (which are now sold out) as well as traditional weekend and holiday paid parking available on a first come first serve basis. ATV parking will be managed based on availability along Village Lane and a small corner of the main lot.
As in years past, the SPOT (Selkirk Pend Oreille Transit) bus will run on their traditional schedule, every 30 minutes from the Red Barn, but this year they will require everyone to be seated, with no option for standing. Obviously, this will reduce their overall carrying capacity, so please plan accordingly. To help support SPOT, Schweitzer will provide an employee only shuttle to help mitigate the reduction in seating during peak periods especially on weekends and holidays. Also important to note is that the Selkirk Recreation District (SRD) will not provide their on-mountain shuttle service for homeowners, adding yet another layer to an already complicated situation.
The impact of the hotel construction project coupled with the decreased capacity on the SPOT bus service coming out to the “Red Barn” places an even greater demand for parking in all our traditional lots this winter. We have experienced a significant increase in RV vacationers at Schweitzer which we believe will continue this coming winter season. Unfortunately, that means that RV parking will need to relocate to the fire station lot.
In anticipation of this change, we have increased the parking area at the fire station and the other side of the roundabout with a plan to add porta-potties and provide shuttle service to the base area. SPOT has also agreed to add a stop at the fire station for pick up and drop off every 30 minutes. If the demand from the fire station exceeds SPOT’s capacity, we will add additional shuttle services to and from the village area.
Once again, I can’t remind everyone enough that these are unprecedented times, and we’ll need your support to continue operating throughout the winter season. We are doing what we can to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 while keeping us active out on the mountain. Another project we are working on is partnering with food trucks as a lunch alternative off the Gateway Lot. Hopefully, this alternative to indoor dining can help you use your vehicle not only as your locker room, but also as the best lunch spot while at Schweitzer this winter.
The season is going to be different but it’s still going to be fun. We hope you will support us as we continue to search for creative ways to face this challenge.
Be kind. Be compassionate. Have patience.
TOM CHASSE
CEO & President Schweitzer Mountain Resort
