Now that the 4th of July is behind us, it’s time to really focus on planning for our 2021/22 winter season which is only 136 days away, if you can believe it!

Reflecting on last season, we know that one of our biggest challenges was parking. In general, spaces are limited on the mountain and when you compound that situation with Covid, no carpooling, and limited shuttle usage, the situation became even tougher. 

Last winter, knowing that our main Lakeview Lot would be compromised with construction activity, we decided to move all of the RV parking to the fire station lot. By doing this, we opened up approximately 50 additional automobile spaces in the Gateway Lot. Feedback has been generally favorable and with SPOT creating a stop to help facilitate transportation to and from this lot, we think our RVers were pretty happy with the easy access for arrival and departure versus being trapped in the Gateway lot till late Sunday afternoon.  As a result, we will continue this practice for the foreseeable future. 

Covid also had an impact on the local community as the Selkirk Recreation District (SRD) shuttle did not operate, stimulating an increase in ATV use for those without ski-in/ski-out access on the mountain.  Over the years, the demand for ATV parking (and the increasing size of “ATVs”) has exceeded our expectations and necessitated a change to our protocol for the coming winter season.  For the coming winter, we plan to eliminate the reserved ATV parking in the Lakeview Lot, and behind Village Lane. Congestion on Village Lane, especially behind the Lakeview Lodge, has become problematic and caused multiple operational challenges throughout the day. 

Our plan for ATVs going forward will be the same as for an automobile: ATVs can pay the daily fee charged in the Lakeview lot for premier parking or take advantage of free parking along Village Lane or in the Gateway or Fall Line lots based on availability. We don’t intend to sell any ATV parking passes this coming season or create any reserved areas. I realize the impact this has on families and mountain residents, but the increased volume/size of an ATV as the primary mode of transportation has become problematic from an operational standpoint. 

We hope that the SRD shuttle will once again provide community service this coming winter and that day visitors will once again take advantage of the free SPOT bus from the Red Barn lot. This winter, we will also encourage our guests to embrace carpooling to reduce auto traffic and further relieve pressure on our parking. All of these things were sorely missed last season and we can’t wait to get back to a more “normal” mode of operation.

As always, I appreciate your understanding, flexibility, and willingness to adapt.

Sincerely,

Tom Chasse
CEO & President