Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows Operations Updates: COVID-19
Suspended Operations
After careful thought and deliberation of our duty in the face of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak, and in what we believe is in the best interest of our guests, employees and local communities, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows will suspend operations starting the morning of Sunday, March 15, until further notice. All lift operations, retail, rental services, and activities will be closed.
We will work directly with our guests in canceling their visit and will provide refunds to those who have hotel and other bookings during this closure period. We anticipate heavy call volume over the next several days and appreciate guests’ patience as we work hard to respond to all inquiries.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this short notice will undoubtedly create. We look forward to welcoming you back to the mountains as circumstances improve.
Read the full statement here.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long will you be closed for?
While the possibility of Squaw Alpine reopening still remains, we have no estimate for such action. The resort will be closed until further notice, and we will constantly monitor the situation in our community to determine if reopening is feasible.
I had a trip to Squaw Alpine planned, can I get a refund?
Due to suspended operations, we have updated our cancellation policy. We will be offering refunds or credits for tickets, lessons and lodging. If you have a question regarding cancellation, please reach out via email to info@squawalpine.com. You may also (800) 403-0206, but our phone queues are experiencing a high volume. We appreciate your patience as we work hard to respond to all inquiries. For questions regarding the Ikon Pass, please contact info@ikonpass.com.
Are the stores and restaurants in the Village at Squaw Valley still open?
All retail shops and restaurant facilities that are owned and operated by Squaw Alpine will remain closed. The majority of the shops, restaurants and bars in our Village are independently-owned, and will decide what course of action is best for them. Check our Hours of Operation for a list of operating hours, but please note that independent business owners can change their hours at their discretion, and while we will attempt to maintain an up-to-date database, this situation is rapidly evolving.
Is the Mountaineer ride-share service still operating?
Mountaineer has ended its operations for the season effective Monday, March 16. We look forward to welcoming back this essential free service for the 2020-21 season, and we thank our guests who utilized Mountaineer this season.
Can I skin up the mountain while it is closed?
We are not permitting uphill traffic of any kind at either mountain as we continue to maintain the safety of our slopes and facilities. Access is not allowed as we continue to perform avalanche control and grooming to prevent hazardous conditions into the foreseeable future.
Please make informed decisions if you are considering going into the backcountry. Please use resources such as the Sierra Avalanche Center and our Deep Snow Safety Tips to weigh your options and make the safest choice.
What about your employees, how are you assisting them in this difficult time?
Squaw Alpine could not run without the hard work and dedication of our employees. With the well-being of our employees in mind, we will be providing all seasonal employees a week’s worth of pay, based on their normal schedules, to provide them assistance in this difficult time. Some seasonal employees will continue to work for now, and for them, they will receive their additional week’s pay when their season ends. Our full-time year-round staff continues to work at this time, with appropriate distancing, cleaning, and other mitigation measures.
Are there any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the area?
Squaw Alpine is located in Placer County, which has reported confirmed cases of COVID-19. This is a rapidly developing situation, which is why we are in frequent contact with health officials in both Placer and Nevada counties, to stay informed of any new developments, especially those that could affect our community.
We expect that the status of Coronavirus to continue evolving, and will adjust our operations accordingly. View accurate updates on the status of Coronavirus in our area, Placer County, here.
We will continue to monitor the latest information and recommendations from the CDC. We encourage our guests, staff, and community to stay up-to-date as well at www.cdc.gov/Coronavirus.
Original article found here.
For more information, visit Squaw Valley Alpine Meadow’s website.
