In an open letter to the Aspen Snowmass Community, The Aspen Skiing Company’s CEO Mike Kaplan says that he thinks there could be some upsides to the restrictions placed on ski area operations next winter.
“Understandably, many people want a return to “normal”—but perhaps we can do better than that. …,” says Mr Kaplan, explaining, “Like everything in our lives pre-COVID, skiing and snowboarding had become somewhat frantic. Many of us were caught up in the conquests—tracking our bowl laps and vertical—rather than fully appreciating the moments. I’m looking forward to refocusing on the core of what this sport is all about, what this place enables: a chance to connect deeply—with nature, with our physical selves and movements, and even with our sense of purpose and our roles in society. No doubt, next ski season will be more of an old school experience, but that could also translate to less noise, fewer distractions and, hopefully, more meaning.”
Mt Kaplan’s comments above come in the middle of a longer letter in which he acknowledges the difficulties living with the coronavirus pandemic have been for Aspen Snowmass. In terms of next winter he says the resort does not know have all the answers yet, but is doing everything possible to anticipate how to open on time and stay open all winter.
“Of course, we must do it safely on behalf of our employees, our community, our guests and our partners, which I believe is possible with the right protocols in place. We’re learning valuable lessons during our summer operations, which are going quite smoothly to everyone’s enjoyment. Yes, there will be new procedures this winter, some of them annoying, and a handful of the exuberant social activities we are famous for will be greatly subdued. But there is an overarching opportunity in this new normal that I’m trying to embrace.”