COVID-19 halts snowy fun at Crystal, Snoqualmie and Stevens

Published 1:30 am Sunday, March 15, 2020

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse…

Crystal Mountain and Stevens Pass ski resorts, some of the few remaining recreational spots open amid the COVID-19 pandemic, will shut down starting Sunday. The Summit at Snoqualmie and the Mount Baker ski area will stop as well after Sunday.

“We have made the difficult decision to suspend the operations of all our North American mountain resorts and retail stores beginning Sunday, March 15, 2020 through Sunday, March 22, 2020 and will use that time to reassess our approach for the rest of the season,” Rob Katz, CEO of Vail Resorts, wrote on the website.

Katz said refunds will be given on pre-purchased lift tickets. Lodging properties will remain open. You just can’t ski or snowboard.

The Summit at Snoqualmie also will refund pre-purchased lift tickets, according to an announcement on its website. Lodge access was restricted to restroom use and 5 to 7 minutes of warming Friday, and lift ticket sales ended Saturday.

Crystal Mountain had remained open for skiing after a guest at the resort on March 5 tested positive for COVID-19 on March 8. The guest was visiting on a ski bus and reportedly spent time in the Day Lodge and on Forest Queen Express during their visit. The resort will offer refunds.

On its website, Mount Baker officials said they will reassess the situation March 22 for a possible reopening March 24.