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Who is buying a 20/21 season pass?

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Jpurd
Posts: 3196 - Karma: 3,554
EDIT:

Alterra announced that they are allowing purchases to be deferred to the 21/22 season if you choose to. Go Alterra. Unless I'm wrong, nothing new from Vail?

Original Post:
This past season, I bought both the Ikon and Epic pass. I was planning on renewing the Ikon pass ASAP, however, given that we have no idea what the fall is going to look like, I'm holding off.

I spoke with both Ikon and Epic Pass customer support and all their passes are non-refundable (for COVID-19 related), and I just spoke with the Insurance Company you can add for supplementary coverage for with the Ikon Pass, and global pandemics are not covered under their policy.

This all seems pretty reasonable to me - I wouldn't expect insurance carriers or Alterra/Vail to bleed revenue due to this event. That being said, I'm curious who is actually going to buy a season pass now. I guess it depends on your confidence in the pandemic ending and not seeing a 2nd/3rd wave in the fall.

I won't be buying a season pass yet - wondering if I'm alone.

**This thread was edited on Apr 17th 2020 at 10:57:26pm
Apr 16 2020 5:26PM
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kbrando
Posts: 1206 - Karma: 889
Yeah right now I am waiting, had an epic pass last year. im going to see how much it is when they start asking for money and when you have to purchase it by to lock in the lowest price
Apr 16 2020 5:34PM
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GrandThings
Posts: 2940 - Karma: 28,846
I already bought my pass for next year. Don't really regret it and not having one would depress me too much.

Trying to stay optimistic that some things like restaurants and stores will start to open mid-late summer with plenty of time to spare for life-as-normal starting in Winter. I also feel like ski resorts are able to function fairly well with social distancing recommendations. Wishful thinking probably, but idk if I'm ready to think about life without skiing.
Apr 16 2020 5:44PM
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Jpurd
Posts: 3196 - Karma: 3,554
I hope you're right, but if we get to September and cases start popping up again, there is no way that mtns will open up.
GrandThingsI already bought my pass for next year. Don't really regret it and not having one would depress me too much.

Trying to stay optimistic that some things like restaurants and stores will start to open mid-late summer with plenty of time to spare for life-as-normal starting in Winter. I also feel like ski resorts are able to function fairly well with social distancing recommendations. Wishful thinking probably, but idk if I'm ready to think about life without skiing.
Apr 16 2020 5:46PM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6793 - Karma: 23,533
Fortunately Timberline and Skibowl never put passes on sale before the fall. Hopefully we will know a lot more by then. I am totally planning to have a pass and ride lifts all the time next winter and will be sad if it doesn’t happen
Apr 16 2020 6:51PM
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armchair_skier
Posts: 2106 - Karma: 26,514
Normally I buy a pass around mid May when our resort's passes get marked down significantly but now theres no definite answer on what November will look like.

**This post was edited on Apr 16th 2020 at 7:44:59pm
Apr 16 2020 7:44PM
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r00kie
Posts: 5196 - Karma: 58,798
I would hate to work in accounting or finance at Alterra or Vail right. Netween losing the spring ski season and low pass sales during the spring and summer, things are probably looking very uncertain. Between people being out of work and the uncertainity of life come fall and winter it would take some crazy incentives and discounts to get people to buy passes this far out.
Apr 17 2020 8:34AM
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Jpurd
Posts: 3196 - Karma: 3,554
Yeah they have to be struggling now. What income are they seeing?
r00kieI would hate to work in accounting or finance at Alterra or Vail right. Netween losing the spring ski season and low pass sales during the spring and summer, things are probably looking very uncertain. Between people being out of work and the uncertainity of life come fall and winter it would take some crazy incentives and discounts to get people to buy passes this far out.
Apr 17 2020 5:39PM
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dogfacematt
Posts: 326 - Karma: 6,446
A season pass with no blackout dates costs me the same at 5 day tickets, so ya I'm getting one when they go on sale
Apr 17 2020 6:07PM
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nmwninjart
Posts: 2902 - Karma: 14,410
I bought one to a local hill here on their spring sale. it was a small amount of $ compared to how much an Epic or icon pass costs So I was willing to take the chance. I have hope we will be skiing in some way or another.
Apr 17 2020 7:11PM
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galardogod
Posts: 1693 - Karma: 5,115
Op just saved me from instinctively buying my pass. Thank you I didn’t know they weren’t covering this. I figured they would but it makes sense
Apr 17 2020 9:19PM
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Jpurd
Posts: 3196 - Karma: 3,554
If you're buying Ikon, they just sent out an email that you can defer a 20/21 pass to the 21/22 season if the resorts are closed.
galardogodOp just saved me from instinctively buying my pass. Thank you I didn’t know they weren’t covering this. I figured they would but it makes sense
Apr 17 2020 9:25PM
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MilkPlanet
Posts: 74 - Karma: 353
passes here stay on preseason sale till like october, perk of riding a 400ft tall hill I guess. I'll probably decide closer to the start of the season anyways.
Apr 17 2020 9:59PM
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 4605 - Karma: 15,966
ski.loonIf you're buying Ikon, they just sent out an email that you can defer a 20/21 pass to the 21/22 season if the resorts are closed.


Just came here to write this. You'd have up to 12/10/20 to defer.
Apr 17 2020 10:14PM
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Chunderface
Posts: 2439 - Karma: 9,566
ski.loonIf you're buying Ikon, they just sent out an email that you can defer a 20/21 pass to the 21/22 season if the resorts are closed.


Yeah this changes things. I was holding out, but now I'm gonna go ahead and pull the trigger.
Apr 17 2020 10:44PM
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Jpurd
Posts: 3196 - Karma: 3,554
Same here, 100 percent
skeirmanYeah this changes things. I was holding out, but now I'm gonna go ahead and pull the trigger.
Apr 17 2020 10:52PM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14477 - Karma: 10,515
I was holding off as well, until I saw you could defer. I’m trying to be optimistic but I think there is a good chance many of us will not have a 21 season
Apr 18 2020 7:10AM
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9103 - Karma: 65,244
I will probably buy an altabird season pass next year, maybe just bird depending on what friends do. I want to be able to ride alta too, but bird is where is my heart is. I don't see resorts being closed all of next season, and I think we'll get back to normal by late summer, early fall
Apr 18 2020 12:14PM
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Shewlur...
Posts: 5046 - Karma: 940
r00kieI would hate to work in accounting or finance at Alterra or Vail right. Netween losing the spring ski season and low pass sales during the spring and summer, things are probably looking very uncertain. Between people being out of work and the uncertainity of life come fall and winter it would take some crazy incentives and discounts to get people to buy passes this far out.


Good point. Recently did some research and discovered that Alterra is owned by private equity firm KSL Capital Partners. Very curious how Alterra and Vail will cut costs and/or find alternative cash streams.

I’m hoping (praying) that ski resorts will come up with some creative solutions if self distancing measures persist into the winter. Daily lift ticket caps with preference to season pass holders? Limit chairlifts to 50% capacity? Lift line dividers? Limited lodge access?

**This post was edited on Apr 18th 2020 at 6:06:13pm
Apr 18 2020 6:04PM
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*ninja*
Posts: 2108 - Karma: 1,143
bump thinking about buying ikon pass cus i have plans to go to jackson hole this winter and I normally ride crystal anyways. any thoughts on if this is a good idea?
Jul 31 2020 3:08PM
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9103 - Karma: 65,244
*ninja*bump thinking about buying ikon pass cus i have plans to go to jackson hole this winter and I normally ride crystal anyways. any thoughts on if this is a good idea?


With the option for refunds, I'd say go for it! I'm just buying bird this year but if any of you are passing through SLC you can use my spare bedroom to crash, just don't steal my shit
Jul 31 2020 3:16PM
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vibecheck
Posts: 3112 - Karma: 15,174
I bought mine
Jul 31 2020 4:55PM
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elcheapo
Posts: 3449 - Karma: 13,972
bought mine a month or so ago but still feel like all I did was make a donation , maybe they'll have to thin the herd and be pass holders only
Jul 31 2020 6:14PM
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izzyhenn
Posts: 68 - Karma: 1,056
If anyone is in college & plans on getting an ikon I can hook you up with a deal through my school’s club
Aug 2 2020 4:10PM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3597 - Karma: 3,895
I went Ikon pass the last 2 years as I travel to a lot of the western locations and when not traveling I’m live in Park City.

I have not bought one yet and will not any time soon. Traveling is so up in the air. If resorts cut capacity or have limited people per chair or anything to make the wait and lines bigger then I’m out.

I can tour and ski in unlimited places close by. Hell I have a trail head in my neighborhood. Could be a no pass season
Aug 2 2020 7:07PM
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CLQ
Posts: 2709 - Karma: 11,259
I got an Ikon but I’m currently looking at acquiring a touring setup.
Aug 3 2020 1:03PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 36696 - Karma: 110,718
SkiBum.I went Ikon pass the last 2 years as I travel to a lot of the western locations and when not traveling I’m live in Park City.

I have not bought one yet and will not any time soon. Traveling is so up in the air. If resorts cut capacity or have limited people per chair or anything to make the wait and lines bigger then I’m out.

I can tour and ski in unlimited places close by. Hell I have a trail head in my neighborhood. Could be a no pass season

I feel this from another local perspective here in UT. I might go with Snowbird just for the sole reason that they could get a ton of snow and maybe have a pretty sweet 2nd half to the ski season. Alta will probably open, but yeah its gonna be the biggest gongshow yet if its gonna be capped capacity, reserved spots, limited parking, chair space, etc.

Worried for work too, we coaches have like no fucking idea if theres going to be any competitions at all this year at any of the resorts we plan to go too, which also happen to be in spots with travel restrictions and lockdowns.
Aug 3 2020 5:17PM
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danbrown
Posts: 11932 - Karma: 21,775
It's gonna be a difficult year. At this point it seems unrealistic that resorts that rely on tourism will be able to open. SLC/PC residents don't keep PCMR in business, they buy $650 passes and don't ever step foot in the lodge. Nobody will be flying, nobody will be booking hotel rooms and condos, nobody will be paying $2k for their family's day tickets for a week, or spending hundreds a day on lodge food. Who knows if the lodge will even be allowed to open. There's no way they'll be able to open and be sustainable.
Aug 3 2020 6:05PM
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9103 - Karma: 65,244
Itll be difficult for PC, but there is one major boon, Ikon pass has a lot of young professionals on it so maybe they'll be the ones helping the industry more since lots of them can work remote and from home
danbrownIt's gonna be a difficult year. At this point it seems unrealistic that resorts that rely on tourism will be able to open. SLC/PC residents don't keep PCMR in business, they buy $650 passes and don't ever step foot in the lodge. Nobody will be flying, nobody will be booking hotel rooms and condos, nobody will be paying $2k for their family's day tickets for a week, or spending hundreds a day on lodge food. Who knows if the lodge will even be allowed to open. There's no way they'll be able to open and be sustainable.
Aug 3 2020 8:09PM
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danbrown
Posts: 11932 - Karma: 21,775
BigPurpleSkiSuitItll be difficult for PC, but there is one major boon, Ikon pass has a lot of young professionals on it so maybe they'll be the ones helping the industry more since lots of them can work remote and from home

even if they can work remote or from home, it doesn’t change the fact that they won’t be flying or booking vacations, or having their vacations affected by lodges being closed
Aug 3 2020 8:21PM
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9103 - Karma: 65,244
Maybe cut dayprice passes by a large amount? Getting locals to your mountain on day passes might keep you running
danbrowneven if they can work remote or from home, it doesn’t change the fact that they won’t be flying or booking vacations, or having their vacations affected by lodges being closed
Aug 3 2020 8:23PM
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11228 - Karma: 76,274
Bought full season passes.
Can get full refunds but only until November 19th. The Mt opens shortly after that.

Anyway, we should know more about how operations will be by then, so we will see.

The system used to get a reservation at the end of last season sucked super hard, so if it's going to be like that..............I might just say lets skip a season.

It's going to be a tough choice because who knows? By March, it could be no holds barred. I pray this virus shit will pass.
Aug 3 2020 10:29PM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3597 - Karma: 3,895
So to put in perspective more, last year at this time I already had a Big Sky trip planned and Banff. And also shorter Aspen, Jackson and Mammoth trips blocked out.

This year I have none so far. And the friend and his family I do some of these with don’t have any booked and also do not have passes yet. I just feel we can’t be the only ones doing this.

Maybe one saving grace for resorts is we already said if we don’t buy a pass, Covid goes away and life is back to normal, we will still do a trip or two and just buy day tickets. Maybe more people will do that?
Aug 4 2020 4:49PM
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SkiingNinja
Posts: 1964 - Karma: 880
A lot of people will head to the backcountry to diversify their options. Can't close the backcountry and it's easy to social distance, if you don't go to popular trailheads. My company teaches avalanche training and we're seeing about 10x the amount of course enrollments compared to last year.
Aug 4 2020 7:37PM
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clorox
Posts: 1728 - Karma: 4,861
danbrownIt's gonna be a difficult year. At this point it seems unrealistic that resorts that rely on tourism will be able to open. SLC/PC residents don't keep PCMR in business, they buy $650 passes and don't ever step foot in the lodge. Nobody will be flying, nobody will be booking hotel rooms and condos, nobody will be paying $2k for their family's day tickets for a week, or spending hundreds a day on lodge food. Who knows if the lodge will even be allowed to open. There's no way they'll be able to open and be sustainable.

Seems like a lot of people able to work from home are trying to move into condos full time for the winter, so I've seen some condo rates skyrocket in certain places, at least in the east.
SkiingNinjaA lot of people will head to the backcountry to diversify their options. Can't close the backcountry and it's easy to social distance, if you don't go to popular trailheads. My company teaches avalanche training and we're seeing about 10x the amount of course enrollments compared to last year.

I wonder if there will be the type of boom that we have seen on trails in the mountain biking world. For example, days after the resorts in the east closed, mt washington was absolutely packed. It's a little different, since mountains will likely still be running to some extent, but I'm sure many will get into touring. I just hope there isn't a massive influx of new back country skiers dying in avalanches.
Aug 4 2020 9:02PM
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SkiBum.
Posts: 3597 - Karma: 3,895
SkiingNinjaA lot of people will head to the backcountry to diversify their options. Can't close the backcountry and it's easy to social distance, if you don't go to popular trailheads. My company teaches avalanche training and we're seeing about 10x the amount of course enrollments compared to last year.


So many avy deaths coming this winter. Gonna be a Goamer show in the BC.
Aug 5 2020 9:59AM
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9103 - Karma: 65,244
Yeah, it's about to be a grim Avy winter
Aug 5 2020 12:00PM
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Chunderface
Posts: 2439 - Karma: 9,566
SkiingNinjaA lot of people will head to the backcountry to diversify their options. Can't close the backcountry and it's easy to social distance, if you don't go to popular trailheads. My company teaches avalanche training and we're seeing about 10x the amount of course enrollments compared to last year.


They can close the backcountry. They did it last year in Colorado and it worked. You're either skiing on public land or private land and they can close public land.
Aug 5 2020 12:05PM
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Yung_Gnarley
Posts: 9091 - Karma: 3,016
yeah idk. All trailheads in portland are fucked because these city people have no idea what to do now that they can't blow their money in town. So I foresee skiing inbounds and backcountry getting a really big surge in business. Might be too much.

But I will probably get a season pass and hope for the best :)
Aug 5 2020 12:17PM
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SkiingNinja
Posts: 1964 - Karma: 880
skeirmanThey can close the backcountry. They did it last year in Colorado and it worked. You're either skiing on public land or private land and they can close public land.


They can close roads or popular trailheads, but they can't shut everything down. Whether or not you should ski in the backcountry during a pandemic often becomes a personal choice. Should you travel outside your community and potentially impact others? Should you engage in a physical activity in a remote area that could stress health services and put emergency responders at risk? It often comes down to a personal choice, but there are some elements of local regulations that should be considered, though they haven't been enforced in Colorado to date.
Aug 5 2020 11:35PM
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JaquinGuzman
Posts: 112 - Karma: 350
I live in CO and skied mellow BC through out the pandemic. To my knowledge the only thing that actually got closed was the parking lot at coon hill after a bunch of idiots caused like three slides in a week and one of them took out some CDOT shed. Other than that nothing got closed. I was checking the cam at the top of berthed everyday and it looked like a shit show up there, but I had many days at lesser traveled zones that we saw almost no one.
Aug 6 2020 11:38AM
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Jpurd
Posts: 3196 - Karma: 3,554
JaquinGuzmanI live in CO and skied mellow BC through out the pandemic. To my knowledge the only thing that actually got closed was the parking lot at coon hill after a bunch of idiots caused like three slides in a week and one of them took out some CDOT shed. Other than that nothing got closed. I was checking the cam at the top of berthed everyday and it looked like a shit show up there, but I had many days at lesser traveled zones that we saw almost no one.


They ended up closing parking lots at Loveland pass
Aug 6 2020 3:36PM
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JaquinGuzman
Posts: 112 - Karma: 350
Interesting I never remember seeing it closed/ every time I drove by there were always the usual no avy gear people shuttling. When did they have it closed?
Aug 6 2020 3:45PM
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Jpurd
Posts: 3196 - Karma: 3,554
JaquinGuzmanInteresting I never remember seeing it closed/ every time I drove by there were always the usual no avy gear people shuttling. When did they have it closed?


https://theknow.denverpost.com/2020/04/21/loveland-pass-pullouts-closed/237903/

Not sure how "closed" it was, but they were definitely discouraging it.
Aug 6 2020 3:46PM
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JaquinGuzman
Posts: 112 - Karma: 350
Jpurdhttps://theknow.denverpost.com/2020/04/21/loveland-pass-pullouts-closed/237903/

Not sure how "closed" it was, but they were definitely discouraging it.


Seems like kinda the same situation that Berthoud and Hessie had going on with people just straight up parking on the road and blocking traffic. I know at Hessie like the first week of the stay at home some dude parked and blocked this guys driveway and then spit in his face and said I have covid when has asked him to move. They ended up towing him and I know people got towed out of Berthoud as well. I am pretty sure resorts will open this year especially after the statement made by the CEO of Aspen Ski Co this week as well as Rob Katz's statement regarding Vail's preparations. I am worried about increased backcountry deaths this year and think it was a miracle that no one was killed during quarantine on one of the big days at berthoud where it looks like people were poping everything left and right. With the uptick in backcountry travel that is likely to happen with lift capacity restrictions that are likely at resorts a big push for more avy education in Colorado is needed.

**This post was edited on Aug 6th 2020 at 3:55:41pm
Aug 6 2020 3:52PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 36696 - Karma: 110,718
BigPurpleSkiSuitItll be difficult for PC, but there is one major boon, Ikon pass has a lot of young professionals on it so maybe they'll be the ones helping the industry more since lots of them can work remote and from home

PC is going to be brutal, but the cottonwoods might be more enjoyable, and the only reason its on the table for pass options.

I think like every 2nd home in PC is occupied currently and theyre not going anywhere anytime soon so i expect PCMR/Canyons to be pretty busy surprisingly. It might be good cuz parents are going to be literally throwing their kids at ski coaches/instructors the minute theyre ready just to get them out of the house haha
Aug 6 2020 5:38PM
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wisconsinjohnson
Posts: 171 - Karma: 1,044
Fuck a pass and buy some skins
Aug 7 2020 11:55AM
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r00kie
Posts: 5196 - Karma: 58,798
wisconsinjohnsonFuck a pass and buy some skins


In Wisconsin? Skinning up what? The snow piles the plow makes?
Aug 7 2020 12:19PM
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ModMommy
Posts: 10720 - Karma: 55,340
I took a chance on a big sky pass, though I bought the one with blackout dates so I can sled a bunch just in case it goes downhill. I know they’re done selling passes for the season, kinda nice to know there’s going to be a limit. That said, the IKON crowds can kiss my ass, I’m worried about all the tourist screwing Big Sky up again. Montana seems to be this magical place where people think COVID isn’t happening.

**This post was edited on Aug 7th 2020 at 3:06:32pm
Aug 7 2020 12:29PM
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wisconsinjohnson
Posts: 171 - Karma: 1,044
I’ve since moved bröther
r00kieIn Wisconsin? Skinning up what? The snow piles the plow makes?
Oct 27 2020 5:43PM
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