How the pandemic is forcing ski towns to re-think tourism.

[ski diva]

An interesting article in Outside magazine. Go here.

As someone who lives in a Vermont ski town, I'll vouch that it's been a difficult time. Many businesses here rely on tourism -- restaurants, inns, shops -- plus the mountain laid off a bunch of people, so I've seen firsthand how people are really struggling. Typically, things shift over to summer activities when ski season wraps up, so we get a lot of off-season tourists, too, but I don't know what it'll be like this year. Okemo has given no indication that it'll be opening its golf course, which brings in a lot of people. Stowe and Mount Snow, which are also Vail properties, haven't opened their's, either. And with the financial difficulties Vail's having, it wouldn't surprise me if they stayed closed all summer

 

[Abbi]

So sad to see. After so many winters in Ludlow and so many people I know there it really is a second home to me. I thought the winters with no snow were bad. And then here we are.

 

[mustski]

Our little town has opened for business and we have been BUSY. There are some restrictions in place, but not many. The concert club is still closed and bars. However all restaurants are open for both indoor and outdoor dining. I believe we are at a restriction of 50% capacity. All stores and hair salons are open and gyms and bars are opening this weekend. The mountain is open for scenic chair rides, mountain biking, and hiking; the golf course is also open. I believe it's still a hard no on tattoo establishments and nail salons. STR have been open for a couple of weeks and other lodging opens up this weekend. The town requests that everyone wear mask ... but ... as far as I can see, none of the visitors are. Time will tell how that will go. However, if we had not opened when we did, the town would have been nothing but a bunch of boarded up store fronts.

 

[MissySki]

What is the deal with nail salons??? I'm confused as to why a hair cut is okay, but someone the length of my leg away with us both wearing masks for a pedicure would be a problem..

 

[Christy]

What is the deal with nail salons??? I'm confused as to why a hair cut is okay, but someone the length of my leg away with us both wearing masks for a pedicure would be a problem..

In WA they are classified the same as hair salons, tattoo artists, etc ("personal services). They can all now operate at 25% capacity.

as far as I can see, none of the visitors are.

UGH. I saw some video of Vegas casinos this week. Almost no one in a mask, except the dealers, in those indoor windowless crowded rooms. This makes me nuts. Can we just try going the Japan route right now? Stuff open, but impeccable hygiene and masks? What's the risk in wearing one around other people?

 

[elemmac]

Okemo has given no indication that it'll be opening its golf course, which brings in a lot of people -- none of the other Vail properties in the state have open their's, either (Stowe and Mount Snow). And with the financial difficulties Vail's having, it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't open at all.

This surprises me a lot. Bike parks are starting to open up, or at minimum announce opening dates (Killington and Burke). Pretty sure golf courses are too (I'm not as up to date on Vermont courses though). I find it a bit odd that Vail isn't trying to get open (or at least not announcing anything).

 

[MissySki]

In WA they are classified the same as hair salons, tattoo artists, etc ("personal services). They can all now operate at 25% capacity.

In MA, hair salons were allowed to open in phase 1 (I'm hearing no blow drying and very minimal capacity though). We started phase 2 yesterday, and nail salons/massage/tattoos are supposed to be in this phase, but not at the beginning of it. I'm not sure when they actually get added in. While I would like a pedicure very much, I'm not in a huge rush. However, I'd like to be able to make sense of the reopening approach and I just can't for some of it..

 

[marzNC]

However, I'd like to be able to make sense of the reopening approach and I just can't for some of it..

Agree that it's very confusing because there isn't consistency across states and regions. Nail salons were opened in NC for Phase 2. Mine had installed plexiglass for the manicure stations. It's relatively new so had plenty of space to move the tables apart. Nothing different for a pedicure except everyone is wearing a face covering.

What's causing major angst in NC is that bars are still closed but breweries can be open, along with eating places in general. Must say that I don't understand the distinction. Assuming that bars adhere to the same guidelines and capacity restrictions as breweries. There is talk of a Phase "2.5" instead of staying at Phase 2 or moving to Phase 3 in late June.

For every type of business that was closed or remains closed, there are examples where cases could be traced to at least one location. But it's still the local situation that should be taken into account. Of course, that could get very complicated for any state that's reasonable large in area, which is most states away from the east coast.

 

[marzNC]

Beach towns along the VA, NC, SC coast have similar concerns as ski towns. Although perhaps the difference is that there a smaller percentage of businesses that were opened by "beach bums" from out of state who set down roots in recent years.

Another difference is that hurricane season just started on the Atlantic coast. <sigh>

 

[mustski]

UGH. I saw some video of Vegas casinos this week. Almost no one in a mask, except the dealers, in those indoor windowless crowded rooms. This makes me nuts. Can we just try going the Japan route right now? Stuff open, but impeccable hygiene and masks? What's the risk in wearing one around other people?

Right??? My SIL is a waitress in Vegas and she is obviously concerned because ... news break .... nobody can wear a mask while eating! I was thinking weeks ago that if I owned a restaurant, every patron would be told ... if you need me, put your mask on.

 

[Tvan]

I'm wondering of some of the small local ski areas will do better than the big resorts. Some place like Middlebury Ski Bowl, for example.... nobody travels to stay for a week and ski Middlebury. It's mostly the college (which, as per my tenured faculty cousin, is trying to figure out when, how, and how many students to bring back to campus amidst a justifiably concerned local population), and Middlebury locals. Similar situation with Mohawk Mountain - just local skiers, no overnight accommodations.

It might be that the small places open with limited parking, tickets, access to bathrooms, etc. Assuming that we have snow.

Hard to say one way or the other. We have, for the first time in 15 years, not purchased any ski passes for next season.

 

[Abbi]

I'm wondering of some of the small local ski areas will do better than the big resorts. Some place like Middlebury Ski Bowl, for example.... nobody travels to stay for a week and ski Middlebury. It's mostly the college (which, as per my tenured faculty cousin, is trying to figure out when, how, and how many students to bring back to campus amidst a justifiably concerned local population), and Middlebury locals. Similar situation with Mohawk Mountain - just local skiers, no overnight accommodations.

It might be that the small places open with limited parking, tickets, access to bathrooms, etc. Assuming that we have snow.

Hard to say one way or the other. We have, for the first time in 15 years, not purchased any ski passes for next season.

I bought my pass way way early. On the other hand now I know I can hold it for a year. Waiting to see how it’s going to work or at least as much as possible. I hate to think of renting my apartment and not being able to ski more than a day a week or something.

 

[Christy]

Have you guys seen the news about how RV sales and rentals have skyrocketed? I think outdoor spaces are going to be a zoo this summer. I read that New Hampshire is only letting state residents camp at their state parks, an idea I quite like. It seems like that will encourage people stay close to home. BC is doing tha with their provincial parks. Judging by reports from around the NW, it there are business open in the small towns near these outdoor spaces, they are going to get business. Potentially lots of it.

 

[mustski]

Have you guys seen the news about how RV sales and rentals have skyrocketed? I think outdoor spaces are going to be a zoo this summer. I read that New Hampshire is only letting state residents camp at their state parks, an idea I quite like. It seems like that will encourage people stay close to home. BC is doing tha with their provincial parks. Judging by reports from around the NW, it there are business open in the small towns near these outdoor spaces, they are going to get business. Potentially lots of it.

And yet ... RVs are as cheap as I have seen them! I have been in the market (kind of/sort of) for the last 2 years and following it pretty closely. They have dropped considerably in price.

 

[marzNC]

And yet ... RVs are as cheap as I have seen them! I have been in the market (kind of/sort of) for the last 2 years and following it pretty closely. They have dropped considerably in price.

Renting an RV for a week seems like a relatively reasonable expense in comparison to staying at a resort or motel for 5-7 nights this summer. On the other hand, buying an RV is a different sort of commitment. A pessimist wouldn't want to spend that kind of money. An optimist would expect that vacation travel will be normal by Summer 2021. Does that make any sense?

I had a reason to be on I-40 yesterday farther out from my house than usual. There were quite a few RVs on the road, with more than usual towing a car. They were going in both directions but more towards the mountains than the coast. It's getting hot in central NC so I guess people want to find empty space to cool off in the mountain more than they want to chance running into crowds at the beach.

 

[marzNC]

Have you guys seen the news about how RV sales and rentals have skyrocketed?

Could be more than just people doing an RV vacation. Here's a story of a couple who drove home in early May. They needed to get to Maine from their winter home in the southwest. They would normally fly but knew that was both more risky and not good for their elderly dog.

May 21, Penobscot Bay Pilot in Maine
A cross-country trip during COVID-19, Arizona to Maine
https://www.penbaypilot.com/article/cross-country-trip-during-covid-19-arizona-maine/134331