What It's Really Like to Go on a Colorado Ski Trip During the COVID-19 Pandemic - msnNOW

Here's what you need to know about planning a Colorado ski trip amid the COVID-19 pandemic, from staying at a resort to on-mountain dining.

I certainly was before driving up to a handful of Colorado ski resorts for day trips and weeklong excursions.

While in Winter Park, I saw too many noses in lift lines and around the base, despite the overhead banners that read "mask zone." In all four Aspen Snowmass resorts, it was a completely different story.

In fact, after joining up with one fellow snowboarder on a lift, we explored several runs together, whooping down less-tracked lines before parting ways for the parking lots.

As for non-skiing activities, ice skating, the Luminescence installation in Snowmass Village, the mountain coaster, and tubing were all on.

All resorts required reservations, in addition to a lift ticket for mountain access.

At Winter Park, I heard skiers say it was "nuking" (snowing heavily), and one lifty hosted a "powder party" for everyone lapping the lift.

Without the usual international visitors, Aspen Mountain held powder stashes long after a storm.

For example, The Vintage Hotel in Winter Park had temporarily closed its pool, hot tub, and restaurant to encourage social distancing, but that was the exception.

The MIT researchers discovered that even a full, stalled lift has very low risk of spreading COVID-19, and lift lines are no problem with face coverings and no shouting.

Now that I'm back home, the mountains are calling once again — and I would certainly double-tap a Colorado ski trip in 2021