Jackson Hole Adding Bootpack to Rendezvous Peak, Details Additional Operational Plans
The Jackson Hole tram in February 2020. The resort plans to run the tram next season, but at a significantly reduced capacity due to COVID-19.
UPDATE 9/14/2020: Reservations will be required for Ikon passholders. Details on the reservation system are unclear at this point.
In a blog post today, Jackson Hole President Mary Kate Buckley shared some additional details on resort logistics for the COVID-era 2020-21 season.
Perhaps most notably, the mountain provided details on reduced tram capacity and alternatives to reach tram-serviced terrain. The tram will operate at “significantly reduced capacity on a first-come, first-served basis.” For those wishing to reach the resort’s Rendezvous Bowl without riding the tram, the resort plans to implement a bootpack—or a route for guests to hike up to the terrain—from the top of the Sublette chair.
Additionally, Jackson Hole confirmed that multi-day and season passholders will have unlimited access to the resort with no reservations required. Passes are no longer on sale—the resort says they’re taking some time to figure out lodging logistics for guests who have already booked—but season pass products will likely become available again on October 5. Mountain Collective passholders will not need to make reservations, but Ikon passholders will.
Advance-purchase day tickets will go on sale on October 5 as well, with 10% discounts for tickets purchased more than 14 days in advance and 5% discounts for tickets purchased more than 7 days in advance. Only a limited number of tickets will be sold for each date, and once full-day tickets are sold out, there may be an option to purchase afternoon tickets. Tickets will be fully refundable for any reason more than 14 days before the use date.
On top of the tram changes detailed above, the mountain provided some more details on lift operations. The resort plans to run all its other lifts at a lower capacity. Lifts and gondolas will be loaded with only those in the same group—those alone will be riding by themselves. Lifts will run at increased speeds when possible, and the Sweetwater, Teewinot, and Apres Vous lifts will start operating at 8:30am when necessary to reduce A.M. base crowding.
Today’s statement also provided more details on facility operations. The resort plans to operate its shops and restaurants, but with reconfigurations to allow for social distancing. Heated tents and additional tables will be provided for dining.
Jackson Hole says they’ll release full information on their operational plan in October. To provide additional flexibility for passholders, the resort is pushing the pre-winter season pass refund deadline from October 15 to November 16. For those who request a refund, the full pass value minus a $45 fee will be returned.
Our Take
Jackson Hole is one of our top-rated resorts, and for advanced and better guests, their directly tram-serviced terrain makes up a notable part of the overall experience (the extraordinarily formidable Corbet’s Couloir is up here). Waiting for the tram during a normal season can take hours—it’s hard to fathom how long the waits will be with the severe capacity restrictions outlined. With the hike-up boot pack, we’re glad to see the mountain providing an alternate form of egress to these slopes for those willing to earn their turns.
While it looks like only a limited number of tickets will be sold for each day, it won’t be too difficult for prospective purchasers to plan trips in advance thanks to the pre-season sale period. Thanks to the flexible ticket-refund policy, those uncertain about the upcoming season but wanting to get some Jackson Hole skiing in should feel secure in their purchase.
Jackson Hole’s season pass is one of the most expensive out there, so we’re glad that they’ve confirmed that passholders will be able to access the resort with no restrictions (in contrast to some others). We recently detailed our reservations about Jackson Hole’s pass assurance policies, but the November 16 extension of the refund date should provide welcome flexibility for purchasers. However, we’d also like to see the refund processing fee nixed and some mid-season interruption protections added.
