Mt. Bachelor: Parking inventory not 100% released
(Update: adding video, comment from Mt. Bachelor representative)
More parking spaces can be released as conditions, other variables change
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Conditions are already superb at Mt. Bachelor, with a 40-inch base as of Tuesday.
But there are no skiers or snowboarders yet.
The resort plans to open to passholders next Monday for its 62nd season.
In other years, after 89 inches of November snowfall, Bachelor wouldn't be empty, with staff training for the upcoming season. The season would have already started, for the lucrative Thanksgiving holiday weekend if possible.
But 2020 isn’t just any year.
Mt. Bachelor Brand and Marketing Director Leigh Capozzi told NewsChannel 21 on Tuesday, "Part of our 'Back to Basics' operating approach was setting an opening day well in advance of when the snow started to fly."
Capozzi said the Dec. 7 opening date allowed them to ensure they would have enough terrain on the mountain open to spread guests out across the mountain.
The Back to Basics plan includes a host of other changes.
"For Mt. Bachelor's Back to Basics approach, Back to Basics safe operating plan is a little bit of a throwback to years past,” Capozzi said. “So we're really going to focus on the ski experience."
Among the changes: Masks are required indoors, no indoor food service, pre-booked rentals, no full-day lessons and no day care or tubing.
One of the biggest concerns has been the resort's new parking reservation system, part of an effort to keep guests well apart and safe in the COVID-19 era.
The system, which allows guests to book seven advanced days and seven week-of days, debuted to many complaints last month.
As of Tuesday, much of the month of December appeared to be booked up, when one checked the reservations website.
But Capozzi assured NewsChannel 21 that is actually not the case.
"On no days of the season have we released 100 percent of the (parking) inventory," she said.
The resort is using a rolling inventory -- meaning that as conditions and other variables change, more parking could be released, even for opening day.
"As we can open more spaces, we will," Capozzi said.
She also said a first-come, first-served approach wouldn't work for Bachelor.
"What that looks like for Mt. Bachelor is people getting up super-early in the morning,” Capozzi said. “Rushing up to the mountain, potentially driving unsafe on the road."
If COVID-19 forces the resort to be closed for 30 days, or seven consecutive days between Dec. 15 and May 16, Mt. Bachelor said it will offer qualifying pass-holders a future use voucher. Pass-holders may also ask for a refund for any reason before Dec. 15, if their pass is not used by then.
