Jackson Hole President Provides Operational Details For Season
Mary Kate Buckley JHMR President has written to guests outlining plans for the coming season. She says:
Dear Passholders, Guests and Community,
Snow is falling as I write; the top of our mountain is white and quickly filling in at the bottom, and there is snow forecasted far into the future, along with the cold temperatures to make snow. We are cheering this early season snowfall as an indicator that this will be another great snow year, following our past four consecutive years of 500+ inches. We’re looking forward to starting up our lifts, opening our doors and welcoming you back for our 2020-21 winter season on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, 2020, and we intend to remain open all season long. In this crazy year when we have all faced so much change and uncertainty, we are sure that our passion for skiing and riding will be more important in our lives this winter than ever before.
We have spent the months since closing last season planning, modifying, innovating and investing in our processes and procedures in order to adhere to the health and safety guidelines of the state and Teton County Health officials, as well as the protocols that were issued by the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA). We have previously shared that we will limit daily ticket capacity to enable physical distancing, and last week we shared the news of the reduced capacity on our Aerial Tram. Today, we are introducing a new 20-Day Midweek ByPass — blacked out for 10 holiday dates — that will provide access during our quieter days, as well as our Season Pass Assurance Policy in the event of a COVID-19 related closure. Please remember our offer to refund 100% of the price of your pass for any reason is good through Nov. 16.
Our operations have changed extensively, and details regarding this season’s transportation, dining and lift capacities, rental processes, the Ikon Pass reservation system and more details are below. I urge you to review our modified operations and ask questions if anything is not clear. Every operational change was driven by our goal to open and stay healthy through the season. We need your help in complying with all of our procedures in order to do so.
We just launched a new version of our free app, JH Insider, which now has tram and lift line wait times, restaurant capacity information, parking, trail grooming, weather and more. Please consider this the best source for real-time information for the coming season.
When you join us on the mountain, you will experience our extensively gladed Pepi’s Run, the expanded Lower Tram Line Run enhanced with snowmaking as well as additional snowmaking coverage and improvements to our trails and facilities.
Thanks in advance to each and every one of you for your help in making this season at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort memorable and safe.
FACE COVERINGS GUIDANCE UPDATE
Guests will be required to wear face coverings over both nose and mouth at all times while on board, when loading, and when standing in lift lines as well as inside facilities. Guests are recommended to wear a dry face covering when possible for the best protection. The standard guidance is non-woven fabric with two or more layers is preferred. A standard surgical mask is three layers. An N95 respirator with an exhalation valve is not an adequate face covering. Scarves or bandannas are also not considered adequate protection. These face covering guidelines are to protect yourself and other guests while visiting JHMR this winter.
TRAM, GONDOLA AND LIFT OPERATIONS
Aerial Tram: JHMR plans to operate its iconic Aerial Tram for the winter 2020-21 season with new health and safety protocols for skiers and riders. For winter 2020-21, JHMR’s tram capacity will be adjusted down to 25 people per cabin plus one operator to allow for physical distancing and to keep guests and staff safe. Click here for more information.
Sweetwater and Bridger Gondolas: The gondolas will be operating with new health and safety protocols. Face coverings will be required in all lines and while loading and unloading the cabins. Gondola lines will be spaced out to allow for adequate physical distancing. The gondolas will run at the highest possible speed to move guests efficiently around the mountain, cabins will undergo additional sanitation efforts and windows will remain open to keep air flowing. Individual parties will be loaded together, and no mixed groups will be loaded on the Bridger Gondola. Sweetwater, which has larger cabins, will be able to load two individuals from mixed groups per cabin, unless a guest prefers a cabin to themselves, in which case that request will be honored.
Chairlifts: Face coverings will be required in all lines, while loading and unloading the lifts, and when on lifts with mixed groups. Lift lines will be spaced out to allow for adequate physical distancing. JHMR could be loading lifts with mixed groups as guests are outside during the ride’s duration, which are all ten minutes or less. If a guest prefers a chair to themselves that request will be honored.
Early Opening Reminder: Commencing with the holidays and when possible, we will start the Teewinot lift, Après Vous lift, and Sweetwater Gondola at 8:30 a.m., allowing guests to move out of the base area earlier and enjoy more time on the snow, conditions permitting.
This winter JHMR will not be offering sightseeing tickets for any of the lifts, gondolas or tram. All operations are subject to change and will follow all local and state health guidance.
DINING
This winter JHMR’s dining establishments are prioritizing guest health and safety with required face coverings, limited capacity inside restaurants, adjusted operations, new online ordering and additional outdoor dining options at the base and on-mountain.
All menus and offerings will be streamlined for quick food service, and online ordering is available for takeout at RPK 3 and Café 6311. Touchless payments will be offered in most establishments, and guests can now use the JH Insider app to make reservations at Piste Mountain Bistro and check occupancy at Rendezvous Casual Dining, Off-Piste Market and Casper Restaurant. All establishments will have controlled access with clear signage for entry, exit and take-out orders.
Guests will find new outdoor dining in warming tents at the base area (three tents throughout the Village base in total) and mid-mountain outside of Casper Restaurant where guests can eat grab-and-go or personal meals with adequate physical distancing. Casper Restaurant features a new grab-and-go area on the lower level and heated tent slopeside. New this winter: A ski-in/ski-out vending system will be offered near the base of the Sublette lift at Bear Flats and will also be a place for skiers and riders to warm up.
Corbet’s Cabin will have limited capacity and operations this winter. Waffles will be sold, but for carryout service only. Restrooms will be open, and the cabin will have limited capacity as a warming location. The world-famous waffles will also be available at Off-Piste Market located in Rendezvous Lodge. JHMR is prioritizing safety, as always, and following county, state and CDC guidelines for dining and more.
For a complete list of dining outlets, hours and adjustments for COVID-19, click here.
TRANSPORTATION
Parking: This year, as in years past, parking in Teton Village will have a fee associated, unless carpooling with three or more in the Ranch Lot, lodging as a Village hotel guest, or using short-term and ADA parking. For parking pricing and information, click here. For up-to-date information on parking this winter, download the JH Insider app as parking is limited in Teton Village.
Free Stilson Shuttle: This year, as in years past, we are working with the Teton Village Association (TVA) to provide free shuttle bus service for employees and guests from the Stilson Lot. To support COVID-19 health and safety measures, new precautions are being taken. All passengers are required to wear face coverings on the buses, which will also have a reduced capacity based on health guidance. Enhanced cleaning will take place on buses in between trips, hand sanitizer will be available upon entry and windows will be kept open during the short ride to support health and safety this winter. Of course, anyone with COVID-19 symptoms is encouraged to stay home and not take public transportation. For TVA shuttle information, click here.
START Bus: The winter 2020-21 START Bus is connecting Teton Village to Stilson and the Town of Jackson is available here.To support COVID-19 health and safety measures, new precautions are being taken. All passengers are required to wear face coverings on the buses, which will also have a reduced capacity based on health guidance.Enhanced cleaning will take place on buses, hand sanitizer will be available and windows will be kept open to support health and safety this winter. Of course, anyone with COVID-19 symptoms is encouraged to stay home and not take public transportation.
NEW 20-DAY MIDWEEK BYPASS
To accommodate more skiers and riders, JHMR is introducing a new 20-day Midweek ByPass Product. A select number will be available for purchase on Jacksonhole.com starting Nov. 10, 2020, for use on any midweek day throughout the season, excluding holiday and blackout periods (12/28-1/1). Adult Midweek ByPasses will be offered at $1,600. For more information and to purchase, click here.
NEW SEASON PASS ASSURANCE POLICY
Rendezvous Peak, Grand, Grand ByPass, and Season Passes: To best serve and support our guests, JHMR is introducing a new Season Pass Assurance Policy for winter 2020-21. If JHMR is closed due to COVID-19 for 10 consecutive days or for a total of 21 or more full days between December 12, 2020, and April 11, 2021, the passholder will receive a prorated credit for their pass’s purchase price based on the percentage of days JHMR is closed for COVID-19 out of the 121-day ski season past the initial closure threshold. The credit will be applied to the account of the passholder to be used toward the purchase of a 2021-22 season pass at JHMR.
JHMR must have no uphill access by tram, gondola, or chairlift for a full operating day to qualify for a COVID-19 closure. If JHMR is closed for any other reason, the closure does not qualify for a COVID-19 closure credit.
Credit for any eligible 2020-21 JHMR Season Pass product will be applied to the account of the passholder. The credit is nontransferable. In addition, all non-ski benefits attached to 2020-21 Products will not be factored into the credit calculation, and any unused non-ski benefits will not carry forward to the 2021-22 season.
7-Day, 10-Day and 20-Day Multi Day Passes: If JHMR is closed due to COVID-19 for 10 consecutive days or 21 or more full days between December 12, 2020, and April 11, 2021, the passholder will receive a prorated credit for their pass’s purchase price based on unused days once the initial threshold is met. The credit will be used toward the purchase of the same or a similar 2021-22 Season Pass at JHMR.
JHMR must have no uphill access by tram, gondola, or chairlift for a full operating day to qualify for a COVID-19 closure. If JHMR is closed for any other reason, the closure does not qualify for a COVID-19 closure credit.
Credit for any eligible 2020-21 JHMR Multiday Product will be applied to the account of the passholder. The credit is nontransferable. In addition, all benefits attached to 2020-21 Products will not be factored into the credit calculation, and any unused benefits will not carry forward to the 2021-22 season.
