Jackson Hole Maintaining Some COVID Policies, Requiring Reservations For Ikon and Mountain Collective Passholders Next Season
The Jackson Hole tram in February 2020. Currently, the resort plans to run this lift at full capacity next winter.
Earlier today, Jackson Hole’s COO Mary Buckley released a Winter Welcome Message with details about the upcoming winter. However, embedded in this press release was a rather unwelcoming message for some pass product purchasers.
As with last season, Jackson Hole is requiring reservations for Ikon and Mountain Collective passholders. While those with proof of flight or lodging can book a reservation now, others will have to wait until October 21 to select their dates.
To address any uncertainty regarding COVID-19, Jackson Hole is continuing its pre-season pass assurance policy for 2021-22. Customers may return their Jackson Hole season pass product for a refund minus a $45 service fee at any point up to November 15, 2021.
At this point, the resort plans to return to normal guidelines in many respects. The mountain is currently planning to run all lifts at full capacity, although in the event of a COVID outbreak, capacity restrictions may be reinstated.
Our Take
While it’s easy to understand some of Jackson Hole’s decisions given the uncertainty around COVID, we imagine that a number of Ikon and Mountain Collective passholders will be deeply frustrated with the resort’s choice to require reservations once again. Theorertically, those who bought a full or upgraded Ikon Pass product with the intention of using it at Jackson Hole may now find themselves unable to do so in the event that reservations on their desired vacation dates fill up.
Luckily, it seems that Jackson Hole is giving priority reservation access to those who have already booked flights or lodging, and it seems that these groups will be able to make reservations without much of a hitch; we sincerely doubt that any date will fill up prior to the late-October public reservation release date. Moreover, those who can’t commit to specific mountain dates before this deadline will probably have a bit of a cushion; we found that by late November of last year, only one season date was entirely booked.
Considering a trip to Jackson Hole next winter? Check out our comprehensive mountain review. Additionally, check out our Rockies rankings.
