FILE: Snowbird resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon. The avalanche risk in both Big and Little Cottonwood canyons is so unique compared to other canyons and the large amount of snow the state has received has added to that. (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Snowbird announced Wednesday it would be issuing a new Passholder Promise to customers who purchase 2020-21 season passes, addressing the impact COVID-19 had by closing the ski resort early.
Snowbird announced in March it would be closing operations at its resort to help control the spread of the virus, with limited refunds and options available. The ski resort announced it would not be reopening for the 2019-20 season.
“We exhausted every possible method of re-opening for skiing and riding,” said Dave Fields, president and general manager of Snowbird, in a statement. “However, based on other resorts remaining closed and the population center right here in the Wasatch Front alone, there is no way we could mitigate the potential of being overrun and creating an unsafe situation.”
To prepare for its upcoming season, Snowbird will sell season passes with a new Passholder Promise — ensuring flexibility to customers who may need to request refunds.
As part of this promise, the resort will issue renewal credit to customers with a current ski season pass to go toward next season — accounting for the months lost because of slope closures.
Refunds on next season passes will be available until Dec. 31, 2020 for any reason — regardless if it’s pandemic-related or not. Snowbird is also launching a newly designed flexible payment plan, allowing for customer ease.
“We are optimistic about the future, and we are proud of all we have done together in the face of this pandemic to prioritize the needs of our guests, staff and Utah communities and we will continue to do so in the future,” Fields said. “These new programs were designed for our loyal passholders in order to help ease anxiety around what the next 12 months may hold for ski and snowboard enthusiasts.”
Although the resort will remain closed for the duration of its winter and spring operations, it’s currently working to resume summer activities on June 20. However, the resort will continue monitoring the situation and said it would only do so if conditions were permitting.