2020 has been a challenging year for everyone and dreaming of the upcoming ski season has certainly helped our spirits. We are starting to see what the ski season may look like and from what I am seeing I am hopeful for a great time on the slopes. I want to give everyone an update of what we are seeing up here in the mountains and give you some things to help you plan your next mountain adventure.

Steven Zupparo – Director of Sales, Summit Express

What we know:

The Rocky Mountains are still here and there will be people skiing this Winter. The resorts are being very proactive in adopting new systems and procedures to keep their guests as safe as possible. Being on the mountain lends itself to physical distancing and since most of us already wear some sort of face-covering masks won’t be a problem.

Vail Resorts, which operates Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, and Beaver Creek, implemented a new reservation system to allow them to monitor and limit if necessary the number of skiers on the mountain for any given day. This may require travelers to plan ahead to ensure they are able to ski on peak days but there are other benefits of planning ahead as well, more on this later.

What you may not know:

The resorts we service are all offering multi-day ski pass/pack that give a substantial discount off regular lift tickets. These are sold for a limited time and are usually taken off sale by the middle of September. For details click the links below. 

Copper Mountain Multi Packs

As of today they are offering a four-pack with a bonus day for $299! That is less than $60 a day! They are also offering a full refund by December 10th as long as none of the days are used. These are expected to no longer be available after September 14th.

Vail Resorts Epic Pass / Epic Day

Vail Resorts, which operates Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, and Beaver Creek ski resorts are offering ski passes for up to 7 days at up to a 50% savings off a single-day lift ticket. As important as the savings it also allows you to reserve up to 7 days of skiing before single-day lift tickets go on sale which will not before December 8th. This is key for locking in your ski days especially over the busy holiday times. For details: Vail Resorts Reservation System

What Should You Do?

PLAN AHEAD. Even if you are thinking you may want to come up and enjoy the mountains you should consider booking now. You will save considerably on all parts of your trip from lodging, airfare, and even Summit Express transportation. Check out our best airport shuttle sale ever online.  Most companies have adjusted their cancellation policies to allow for the uncertainty of the current times. Make sure that you check these policies before you book but many are offering refunds if you have to cancel your trip. With a little homework, you should be able to book your ski vacation at a great price with the flexibility to change if necessary.

What Should You Expect?

Summit and Eagle Counties have been extremely proactive in regards to their COVID-19 policies from when this started back in March. It has paid off with both counties being as safe as a place to visit as anywhere in the U.S. They will continue to do so and you expect to have to wear face-covering when indoors and possibly on the slopes. You should also plan to make reservations during busy times at most restaurants. Check with the resort, airline, and county websites for updates to COVID-19 safety measures often and before your trip. You can always check with us at Summit Express as well. We will keep updates on our website and social media pages.

What we will be doing – Summit Express promises to implement whatever protocols that are needed to keep you safe on our vehicles. These may include but are not limited to, increased cleaning of vehicles, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces between runs, and reduced vehicle capacity on shared shuttles. Summit County has some of the strictest health measures in the county and we will follow their regulations which means our services may be the safest thing you do on your vacation.

Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Starting Tuesday 3/17 at 12:00 PM we will stop transporting all passengers

in response to the COVID19 mandates.

We look forward to seeing you afterward.  Till then, take care!

Summit Express is committed to a safe and healthy environment for our guests and employees. During this time of concern, we have stepped up our already strict cleaning procedure on all of our passenger vehicles, which are thoroughly cleaned after every trip. We are continuing to operate regular schedule and are following all recommended procedures as laid out by the local, state and federal groups including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This includes ensuring that our employees take the proper precautions before coming to work so that our guests are transported safely to and from the Colorado Mountains.

March is our busiest time of the year!

Schedule your arrivals and depatures EARLY– we do sell out.  So do all the other transportation services :0

Other hints when booking…

1. If you dont have a flight to catch choose NO FLT
2. If you’re going from the airport to the mountains enter an hour before you’re desired pick up time (our system thinks you need that time to pick up bags etc…)
3. If you’re going from the mountains to the airport- it’s a 4-5 hour window that our system wants.  If you want to leave Breck at 12 PM/noon, enter 4 or 5 PM for your “flight time”.
4. Keep in mind the trip is 2 1/2 to 3 hours depending on traffic and road conditions.
5. I 70 has frequent delays and slow traffic if there is snow falling, so plan accordingly!

Snowshoe for the Cure is a stompin’ good time!

The Frisco Nordic Center hosts the Susan G. Komen fundraiser to help fight breast cancer.  Join in the fun!  Think PINK and prepare for a community celebration of survivors and supporters.

See the full schedule here.

Friday March 6 at 5:00 pm- Pick up your racing bib and goody bag at the Pink Party, and enjoy games,prizes and yummy appetizers.

Saturday March 7 at 7:30 am- Register betweeen 7:30 and 8:50 am, the race starts at 9 am.  There’s a 3 K and a 5 K. Stick around till the end and enjoy the closing ceremony.

The Banff Film Festival is an inspiring exploration —

of our planet’s mountains and the people who live and play on them.

They live to defy gravity, and healthy constraint.

This collection of films showcases people who live sports to the extreme.  Whether its trick mountain biking with massive air, treacherous trail running, or heli skiiers risking it all on untouched runs, the athletes you’ll get to know know no bounds.

“It’s a must see thrill; awe-inspring and a scenic feast!”

– Summit Express Times

Arcade, darts, billiards, ping-pong, air hockey, pinball and more!

The Historic Brown and Fox’s Den in Breckenridge

Fridays 9 PM to 2 AM

—* FREE admission *—

 

Where should you make reservations for an unforgettable night?

Survey says… Keystone.

The Ski Tip Lodge ranks highest, in this office, for intimate atmosphere and their-mouth watering four course cuisine.  Also high on our list, Keystone Ranch, has been awarded and recognized for its dining acumen.  After dinner move to their stunning fireplace (pictured below) for coffee and dessert.  It’s an Instagram post waiting to happen.

Don’t underestimate the value of simple gestures; a reservation, pulling out her chair, a diamond tiara… and footsy under the table.  And please don’t forget to make reservations early!

The Dew Tour has a new venue and it’s a perfect fit!

February 6-9, 2020

Copper Mountain rocks adventure sports!  They’ve cultivated a learning and growing environment where skills can be honed and mastered at any level.  Exciting and mindful changes set them apart from other ski resorts.

• New lifts make access to new terrain easier
• Woodward is an “action sports youth paradise” and a year round playground for little tikes and serious competitors
• New mid-mountain stations and hotels have added comfort, and luxury, to an already awesome resort
• The new super pipe is sure to be a hit with the pros attending the 2020 Dew Tour

“Past Dew Tour competitors include Olympic gold medalist and Dew Tour champions Chloe Kim, Nick Goepper, Shaun White, Red Gerard, Gus Kenworthy, Amy Purdy (USA), Ayumu Hirano (JPN), and others from around the world. ” – Taylor Prather for Dew Tour press release.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see these amazing athletes in action.  It’ll inspire you to get on the mountain, try something new,  and enjoy the beautiful Rocky Mountains.

Locals Tip: Protect yourself against high altitude power sun burn; Apply Sunscreen!