Vt dropping travel restrictions for people vaccinated effective Feb 23rd

[chuckstah]

Let's be honest. How many people have truly given a shit about VT rules this season? 5%?

And about zero percent care about the MA rules.

 

[cdskier]

Let's be honest. How many people have truly given a shit about VT rules this season? 5%?

I agree. The number of people staying away because of the rules is not that much in the grand scheme of things. Of that, how many are eligible for vaccines? And of that, how many are going to suddenly start going to VT to ski at this point in the season? Some may have long ago decided to skip VT this season and therefore don't have a season pass. Are those people going to be willing to pay the high day ticket rates if they don't already have a season pass that works at VT resorts? Spring passes would be an exception, but it remains to be seen how many resorts even offer spring passes this season.

 

[tnt1234]

Let's be honest. How many people have truly given a shit about VT rules this season? 5%?

Probably a little more. They kept us out. But I know plenty of people going regularly, but those are mostly second homes and on month long rental.

I don't know...probably had some good effect for the state.

 

[abc]

Question is, are the tight travel restriction and low infection rate in VT a coincidence or not?

 

[kendo]

I'm one of the ~ 5%. Stage 4 survivor and life long skier. Partner and elderly parent with conditions as well. Have been cautious since the onset. Was on track for 30+ VT and 10 CO days last year before cut short in March. Renewed Epic in May with uncertainty of this season.

I expected to manage skiing and staying safe... travel solo, ski solo, ride lifts solo, take out for meals, byob, etc! Once the VT Q14/Q7+test policy went into effect, no way to take multiple 5 day ski trips this year.

Held off day trip Hunter skiing in Dec as the vaccine possibilities progressed. Why chance it when the finish line is near. Will be 14 days post 2nd dose 3/28.

Stowe closing 4/18ish. Killington until May with $249 pass. I'll be heading to VT 3/28 (or maybe sooner)!

 

[deadheadskier]

Much respect for those following the rules. Congrats to you Kendo on winning the fight with C. May it stay in your rearview mirror for life.

Here in NH the rules have been much more lenient and whatever has been in place here or from people's home states hasn't seemed to have any impact on folks traveling here no matter the season.

 

[abc]

I think it’s more than 5% And it applies to those who don’t have a second home...

After all, there’re ski areas in NH and NY. So in choosing where to go, sometimes it’s a borderline choice. I know I did that once: “there’s pros and cons between these 2. But as one is in VT, the other one not in VT won out”.

 

[Mum skier]

And about zero percent care about the MA rules.

It’s hard to respect the MA rules when our governor had now decided it’s okay to take one (or probably many) planes to puerto Rico and stay in a resort for a week, but it’s too dangerous to drive to VT or NH in your own car for a days cross country skiing.
But on that note, does anyone have a recommendation for a good ski area in Puerto Rico. I am sure there are some small lesser known areas there?

 

[2planks2coasts]

It’s hard to respect the MA rules when our governor had now decided it’s okay to take one (or probably many) planes to puerto Rico and stay in a resort for a week, but it’s too dangerous to drive to VT or NH in your own car for a days cross country skiing.
But on that note, does anyone have a recommendation for a good ski area in Puerto Rico. I am sure there are some small lesser known areas there?

Saw some improvised skiing/boarding in Texas last week. Haven't seen any in PR yet though.

 

[ericfromMA/NH/VT]

It's a step in that direction alright. Not sure that'll make a difference in terms of "more people" being able to ski in VT. How often would you go if you need to get a Covid test each time?

I have missed the whole year up at Sugarbush, Me and the Family go about 3-4X per year. I would gladly get tested before each trip and and I'd go my 3-4 days. heck, I'd get tested 2X before each trip. I'm sitting on a quadpack I want to use after mid march!!!!

if they say neg test in the last X days = come on up, I am RUNNING to get tested......

 

[ericfromMA/NH/VT]

Let's be honest. How many people have truly given a shit about VT rules this season? 5%?

I'm one...and I'm sitting on a quad pack from last year...

I have no doubt you are correct though......

 

[hub8]

My son and I just came back from a trip in ME instead of VT. Saw still predominantly ME, MA plates in a parking lot. Only noticed one other CT plate in the lot. But honestly weather forecast played a role too. Was expecting 8-12 inches of snow at Sugarloaf but got graupel and pelletes Tuesday morning instead, which turned into a 1/2 to 2 inch crust layer depending on aspect later in the week.

 

[ne_skier]

Let's be honest. How many people have truly given a shit about VT rules this season? 5%?

Hence why I don't think that this will have a big effect. Many people are breaking the rules regardless and the small percentage of people sitting it out may already have passes at resorts in NH and NY and don't want to dump more money. Also, I'm sure many people, particularly those who ski more infrequently may think that it's too late in the season to change their routines in mid-Feb, and that's considering that they already have the vaccine/are eligible to get it. Most ordinary people who aren't in any sort of risk group will be getting their shots once the ski season is close enough to ending that it isn't worth changing their routine, or ski season will have ended altogether. Also it's worth noting that this means just about nothing for families with kids under 18 as they can't get the shot yet.

 

[abc]

Also it's worth noting that this means just about nothing for families with kids under 18 as they can't get the shot yet.

Totally!

Vermont is determined to minimize casual visitors from out of state. It's their choice. The latest half-hearted "relaxation" confirms that even more.

Second home owners have the option to stay there for extended period of time. Weekender don't. People who are breaking the restrictions are a lot fewer than some think. Just look at how often Hunter sold out and contrast that to how often Mt Snow doesn't! I have little doubt the same applies to non-Vail owned mountains too.

All that worry about the VT economy collapsing haven't turned out to be either.

 

[JimG.]

Before the season and early on I cared about what was going on in VT. But my season in NY has been so excellent I don't care at all about VT anymore. This year or in the future. Which I'm sure pleases NE locals.
I once thought I would retire in VT but not anymore. I can't take the chance that as a property owner I could be subjected to the nonsense this year has produced. And as for my health I feel MUCH safer in NY than I would in VT when, as DHS pointed out, so many are just ignoring the restrictions.
Vaccines don't interest me either today, I'm nowhere near the head of the line for a vaccine. Smokers are ahead of me! I mean, how fucking ridiculous is that!! Ski season will be over before I will be able to get a shot.
So great that VT is easing restrictions for vaccinated folks. Whoop de doo!
Next we'll be hearing all the whining about how VT needs an economic bail out. Frankly that's the only reason they're easing up now, the economic pain is becoming noticeable. So good luck to VT selling those spring passes!

 

[darent]

Let's be honest. How many people have truly given a shit about VT rules this season? 5%?

as many people who gave a shit about travel restrictions this summer to my little Island

 

[abc]

I once thought I would retire in VT but not anymore. I can't take the chance that as a property owner I could be subjected to the nonsense this year has produced.

That's not so different from many ski towns. The "locals", some of them recently settled there (particularly the recently settled), always wants to pull up the drawbridge after they've crossed. So that their "paradise" doesn't get spoiled by the new comers.

 

[mikec142]

Let's be honest. How many people have truly given a shit about VT rules this season? 5%?

I think the number is much greater than 5%.

I think that there are several factors that limit travel to VT. First is the limited amount of lift tix that are being sold. Right there, fewer people are going to be able to ski in VT. Second is the QT rules and restrictions. Even if it's not 100% of folks complying, it's enough to give pause to many. Anecdotally, I know many families that are once or twice a season weekenders who have decided to either punt on this season or ski in PA or other states that don't have strict rules. Lastly, non-skiing related apres activities are severely curtailed. Fewer people are going to restaurants, bars, shopping, etc. Families that go to Jay and ski and then spend the afternoon in the waterpark aren't going.

Overall, it's served to keep VT's covid numbers way down. The question is, what was the cost?

 

[mikec142]

And as for my health I feel MUCH safer in NY than I would in VT when, as DHS pointed out, so many are just ignoring the restrictions.

This is anecdotal, but my experience is the exact opposite. I skied one Friday at Windham and it was a shit show from a covid precaution standpoint. Parking lot filled to the brink. 30% mask compliance, huge lift lines that extended past the ropes so where it was past the ropes people were just on top of each other. Lifties were forcing people to join up on the six pack. One single on each side and a double in the middle. Granted, I've heard better stories from mid-week later in the season.

My experiences in VT have been the exact opposite. 99% mask compliance. Minimal lift lines. Ambassadors politely reminding the few unmasked to mask up. I've skied low double digit days in VT and have yet to ride the lift with a random person. Only with the people I've come with or alone.

That said, I'm glad you've had a great season in NY. As I've mentioned many times, I think Gore is fantastic and I'd rather go there than anywhere in SoVT.

 

[abc]

I think the number is much great than 5%.

I concur.

Because there're mountains outside of Vermont, many people simply CHOOSE to ski elsewhere. When everything else is the same, VT had the terrain and snow. But everything else isn't the same this year. The quarantine being one, I think VT's lost is NY and NH's gain.

On top of that, many family are choosing to stay close to home, not because the quarantine but because there's no other activities to justify the overnight stay which makes a "vacation" with skiing mixed in. Hunter got slammed precisely because of that. People go there "just to ski". Not sticking around much the moment the lifts close.