Why are you limiting the number of season passes you sell for 2021/22?
We have been cautious with our planning throughout the pandemic. It has served us well and we continue to believe it’s the correct approach, reaffirmed by the countless number of guests who have shared their appreciation for how last season was managed. Minimizing the risk of overcrowding is central in our desire to safely welcome you and preserve the uncrowded experience. Our limit on season pass sales, together with the advance purchase requirement of lift tickets, lessons and rentals again this winter, gives us confidence that we can manage daily resort visitation such that the experience will be safe and comfortable for our guests and staff.

Are you offering a Payment Plan for 2021/22 season passes?
We offered a payment plan option to those who purchased in the spring. During the fall season pass sale, all passes must be paid-in-full at the time of purchase.

Are season passes refundable?
If the COVID situation or Sugar Bowl's announced operating plans conflict with how you intend to enjoy the resort this winter, you may receive a full refund on your season pass purchase by submitting a request via online form at sugarbowl.com/passrefund by November 15, 2021. Starting November 16, 2021, all requests for season pass refunds, credits or rollovers will be evaluated based on the criteria stated in the Terms & Conditions that you agreed to during the purchase process.

Will your operations in 2021/22 be “back to normal”?
While we are expecting some COVID-related challenges, we do not foresee any government restrictions that would affect the core skiing and snowboarding experience outdoors. Face coverings will not be required outside. Indoors, we plan to offer more access than was available last season, including the reopening of our Lodges, Belt Room Bar and other outlets throughout the resort. We will encourage the use of face coverings indoors for all guests and staff so long as California and the CDC continue to recommend indoor masking. Masking indoors also provides an added level of protection for our younger guests who are not yet eligible for vaccination. These plans are based on the information and guidance available to us today. As COVID circumstances continue to evolve, we might have to alter our plans based on new state and/or county guidance that could be released before or during our winter season.

Are guests required to show proof of vaccination in order to visit?
At this time, we are not planning to require proof of vaccination for our season passholders or daily guests. We will, however, require all Sugar Bowl | Royal Gorge staff to be fully vaccinated before the start of our ski/snowboard season. Requiring vaccines provides a measure of safety for staff who are in constant contact with guests, stabilizes our workforce and increases reliability by reducing the frequency of department-wide quarantines.

Will you bring back the 3-Pack?
We are not planning to re-introduce the 3-Pack for 2021/22 season.

When will lift tickets go on sale, and what are the prices?
We will release single day lift tickets for sale in early November. Initially, tickets will be available only through early January. Then, in early December, we’ll release tickets for the remainder of January. We’ll proceed that way through the remainder of the season, with tickets for each month released about three weeks prior to the start of the month. Each monthly release will kick-off with a 96 Hour Sale with an extra 10% discount available. Our ticket prices will be dynamic and highly variable this season, with midweek non-holiday dates priced significantly lower than peak weekend/holiday dates. Those who buy far in advance will get the best deal. At this time, we are not planning to offer same-day sales. The one-day advance purchase requirement we instituted last winter worked well; it allowed us to plan ahead and it gave us an opportunity to communicate with our guests prior to their visit, letting them know what to expect. We’ve decided to maintain that plan going forward. If you would like to sign up for an email notification when we release lift tickets, rentals and lessons for sale next month, we encourage you to sugarbowl.com/tickets.

What is the process for securing Passholder Friends and Family Tickets?
In our commitment to maintain a uniquely uncrowded experience, we will require the online, advance purchase of lift tickets again this winter. For those of you who receive the discounted Passholder Friends & Family Ticket benefit with your pass purchase, you’ll be able to secure those tickets in advance, online, starting in November. We’ve improved this process to make it easier; you’ll be able to email a code valid for a discounted ticket directly to a friend with just a couple of clicks. Instructions and a guide to purchasing will be distributed in November.

Where can I find the perks and benefits the come with my Sugar Bowl season pass?
We have a comprehensive list of passholder perks and benefits posted here: sugarbowl.com/benefits.

Where's My Season Pass?

With the introduction of hands-free RFID ticket and pass scanning at Sugar Bowl | Royal Gorge this winter, all season pass customers will receive brand new season pass media cards. Our new lift access gates will scan the cards, verify with the central database that a valid ticket or pass is loaded on the card, then open the gates to let you through. No longer will you need to show your pass - you can leave it in a pocket (away from your phone and wallet)!

If you haven't received your season pass in the mail, it's possible we did not have a current address on file for you. It's also possible that we didn't have a photo or Release of Liability for you. In any event, you can pick up your pass at the Judah base area on the first day your visit this season.

Q&A Specific to the Pause in Season Pass Sales

 

Why are you pausing pass sales?
We’re approaching next winter conservatively at this point. While there are some promising signs that we’re making progress in our collective fight against the virus, we need a bit more time to watch the improvement trajectory during the next few months. After we gain more confidence that next winter’s operations won’t be as restricted or capacity constrained, we will be comfortable releasing more season passes for sale. Royal Gorge season passes remain available at this time but limited quantities are available for cross-country skiing as well.

When will you release more season passes for sale?
We don’t have a specific date, but our intention is to release more season passes later this spring, summer or fall. We need to get some clarity and gain some confidence that next winter’s operations will be less restrictive with fewer (or no) capacity limitations before we release more season passes. To learn when more passes go on sale, sign up for our email notification

I submitted an exception request, was I approved?
Please check your email, we have reached out to all those who submitted a request to inform each of their individual decision. If you were approved for an exception, redemption details are provided via email as well.

I renewed a season pass for 2021/22 but my friends or family members, who I ski/ride with, don’t have a pass. How do I get a pass for them?
At this time, we’re not accepting requests for additional pass sales. We ask for your patience for a few months. It’s our hope and expectation that we will release more passes and once that happens, your friends and family members will be able to secure a pass.

If my friends or family members aren’t able to get a season pass, can I get a refund on my 2021/22 season pass?
Our COVID Refund Policy allows for a full refund so long as COVID-19 restrictions are in effect and the request is received by November 15, 2021.

Is the Spring Pass still available?
No, the Spring Pass was only offered as an add-on purchase to a 2021/22 season pass. With 2021/22 pass sales on pause, the Spring Pass is no longer available.

 

General Q&A About Season Passes

 

My child will be on ski team next season, how do I get a pass for them?
Please contact the Sugar Bowl Ski Team for information about season passes that come with Ski Team participation.

Are you offering a Payment Plan for 2021/22 season passes?
Yes! We’ve simplified our payment plan for 2021/22. Pay 50% at the time of purchase and we’ll automatically charge the remaining 50% to the same credit card on August 15. All season pass products (Unrestricted, Slightly Restricted, Midweek, Royal Gorge, Combo) are eligible for the payment plan option.

Are season passes refundable?
We understand that things change – especially during this unique time. To give you confidence in your purchase, we will allow a 100% refund if Covid conditions persist with our operation plan and we receive your refund request by November 15, 2021.

Will your operations in 2021/22 be “back to normal”?
It’s still too soon to accurately predict how our operations will be structured for the 2021/22 winter season. While we remain optimistic that the vaccine rollout will ultimately result in a much improved situation next winter, we are proceeding cautiously. We hope to be able to finalize our winter operating plan in the ate summer or early fall.

Will you bring back the 3-Pack next winter?
We won’t be able to make that decision until late summer or early fall, since we need a clear view of how the pandemic might (or might not) affect next winter’s operations before we can finalize our winter operating plan, including our lift ticket offerings.

My county’s Stay at Home Order this winter prevented me from using my pass such that the 100 Day Guarantee should provide me with a discount credit for a 2021/22 season pass. How do I get this discount credit?
Since the season is not finished, we are unable to determine a credit amount. After this ski/snowboard season concludes, we’ll inform affected customers directly if they’re eligible for any discount credits as part of our 100 Day Guarantee, given the impact of Regional Stay at Home Orders. In the meantime, you should purchase a 2021/22 season pass at the published rate prior to the applicable purchase deadline. We’ll refund the discount credit amount later, pending final review of the situation. At this time, the maximum eligible credit is 12% of your pass purchase depending on your region, pass type and pass usage. This amount may changed based on Sugar Bowl's final closing date. If you do not purchase a pass for the 2021/22 season, you will not be eligible for any credit.

Dear Passholders,

To say that COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on almost every aspect of life as we know it is an understatement. We recognize this unique scenario has presented our passholders with previously unimaginable challenges, and we want to thank you for your loyalty and continued patience as we navigate these uncharted waters.   

After waiting for the extended high pressure to subside, the storm door finally opened mid-March only to be met with the escalating spread of COVID-19. With great reticence, we made the difficult decision, along with the rest of the industry, to suspend operations. We recognize that it was tough to see the fresh snow and not be able to experience it, but difficult decisions had to be made quickly for the safety of our guests and employees.

We took care of our seasonal employees by paying them through March to ensure they landed safely. We committed to retaining our full-time year-round staff and developed an industry-leading “Return to Work” plan for our essential employees when Stay-at-Home orders were initiated. These decisive actions were intended to help flatten the “curve” and make a difference in our community.  

Over the past several weeks we have been thinking deeply about next season and what the “new normal” may look like. Recognizing that most health professionals believe the virus could come back in winter, we want to take a cautious but optimistic approach to next season. Our team is working to develop operational plans that will be available to implement if health-related guidelines are required.  We will continue to provide you with updates as more details become available and as we get closer to the start of the season.

In the meantime, we want to assure you that our intention is to offer peace of mind when it comes to your season pass purchase. For this reason, we have extended the initial purchase deadline from May 31st to June 30th and we have made the following changes to our Season Pass Program for 2020/21:

 

100-Day Guarantee

Purchase with confidence knowing the same weather guarantee from last season, which assures you that the resort will provide lift-served access for at least 100-days, will be in place next season and also now provides protection for impacts from COVID-19.

2020/21 Season Passholders are Covered If:

• A shelter-in-place order at your primary residence prevents you from visiting the resort 100 days during the season.
• A state/county mandate prevents the resort from operating 100 days during the season.
• A lack of snowfall prevents the resort from operating 100 days during the season.

If we fall short of 100 days of operation, each day under 100 days that we do not operate will be applied as a 1% credit toward the purchase of a 2021/22 season pass. Some exclusions apply based on pass usage and pass type. The 100-Day Guarantee also includes trail access for Royal Gorge season passholders. Sugar Bowl is considered to be open if we have at least one detachable express lift operating for 3 or more hours. Royal Gorge is defined as open if at least 10km of groomed trail is available.

 

Daily Resort Access Assurance

If county, state or federal jurisdictions implement health-related guidelines that cause Sugar Bowl to limit daily visitation at the resort for passholders, and you decide this doesn’t work for you, we will honor a refund upon request. Refunds will be calculated based on length of season and pass usage.  The exact calculation can be found in our terms and conditions.  If such restrictions are implemented, passholders will have 30-days to request a refund from the day of notification.

 

Rewarding Your Loyalty

We understand that you may be reluctant to renew your season pass until the season gets closer. To thank you for your purchase, if you renew a season pass by October 31, 2020, Sugar Bowl will apply a resort credit of up to $150, based on pass type. This credit (approximately 20% of current pass rates) can be used beginning opening day of the 2020/21 season for food and beverages in resort cafes, retail, tuning and more.

 

New Pass Payment Plan

New this year, passholders may elect to pay for passes in three zero-interest installments to spread the purchase out over time. Guests will pay 50% at the time of purchase followed by two equal payments, automatically charged on August 31st and September 30th. Passholders must purchase by August 1 to qualify. Child passes (ages five and under) are not eligible for the Payment Plan.

While it’s difficult to know exactly what modifications to our operations will be necessary to continue to keep our guests and employees safe, we expect to open with physical distancing and other protocols in place. We also anticipate the need to adjust our winter operations schedule to match peak and non-peak visitation and demand.  

 

Peak Winter Operations:

• During Peak periods (Friday – Monday and holiday periods) we expect to operate all facilities and services at both the Village and Judah portals.
• We suggest that for services that tend to “sell out” such as hotel rooms, ski school and rentals that you make reservations well in advance.
• Village Gondola will operate 24 hours a day.

Non-Peak Winter Operations:

• Non-peak, mid-week operations (Tuesday through Thursday), will focus on lift operations and provide limited services. Subject to change.
• Lift operations will remain relatively unchanged. Crow’s Peak Chair will operate only as conditions permit, Summit Chair will operate on weekends and holidays when conditions permit.
• Services will include:
  • Private lessons available mid-week by advance reservation only.
  • Rentals and Retail will be available only at the Judah base area.
  • Midweek food services across the resort will be limited. Hours and menus will be reduced.  Judah Café, Nob Hill Café, and the Belt Room Bar will be open for lunch and après.
  • The Hotel will be closed Monday night through Wednesday night.
  • Village Gondola will operate 7am to 7pm.

We appreciate you being a Sugar Bowl | Royal Gorge passholder -- our passholders are vital to our community and to our future success. Lastly, we would like to thank you for respecting our request to avoid the ski area after the closure in March. Your support has kept our employees and staff safe and for that we are grateful. Thank you for your patience and understanding amidst this uncertainty and change. We look forward to making turns with you next winter when the snow starts flying!

 

Wishing you well,

 

 

Greg Dallas

President and CEO

Sugar Bowl | Royal Gorge

 

We would like to thank our 3 Pack guests for their patience and understanding as we were required to very quickly make tough, sweeping, and immediate actions to protect our guests, employees and our community as the COVID-19 situation rapidly evolved. The decision to close for the 2019/20 season in March had a tremendous impact on our employees, our community, and undoubtedly, on you. With that in mind, we have attempted to find a solution that will offer value for unused days and welcome you back to Sugar Bowl at the start of the 2020/21 season.

Because the 2019/20 season was cut short by a few weeks, we wanted to offer some flexibility for those who didn’t get to use their 2019/20 3 Pack in its entirety. As such, 2019/20 3 Packs with unused days will be honored from the start of the 2020/21 season through December 18, 2020. Advance reservations will be required for 3 Pack redemption and there will be limited spots available each day. Any remaining dates will expire after December 18, 2020. No refunds or credits will be provided for 3 Packs, even if the pack was unused.

We are dedicating a specific "bucket" of availability for 3 Packholders to ski/ride during this period. While the number of 3 Packholders who can visit each day will be limited and advance reservations will be required, we are committed to preserving space for you. We need a little more time to finalize the online process for 3 Pack usage reservations, however, so thanks for your patience and stay tuned for additional information prior to opening day.

---

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why are you not just refunding my season pass/3 Pack? 
We are committed to balancing what is fair to our guests with what is fiscally-responsible for the resort so we may continue to operate for seasons to come. Sugar Bowl is a proudly independent resort, with the two mega-conglomerates of the industry in our backyard. Unlike the big guys who are able to spread the impact of this closure across multiple properties, Sugar Bowl is wholly-owned thus absorbing the full impact of this closure.
Prior to closing due to the unusual, dynamic situation involving the coronavirus, Sugar Bowl Resort was open for 107 days this season. The duration of the season allowed ample time for pass and pack usage, and surpassed the commitment offered by our 100-Day Guarantee. With daily operations comes significant cost including labor, fuel, maintenance and much more.  We spend that money as part of our commitment to opening the resort daily, no matter the weather conditions, and our guests rely on that assurance.  As such, refunds for 2019-20 Sugar Bowl season pass and 3 Pack products are not available (as agreed upon at the time of purchase). 

Why are you only allowing me to use my 3 Pack until December 18th?
The season was cut short by a few weeks, thus we have added a few weeks to the beginning of the season for you to utilize your remaining days.

What if I am not able to use my 3 Pack during that period?
After December 18, 2020 any unused days remaining on 19/20 3 Packs will expire.

Why do I need to make a reservation to use one of my remaining 3 Pack days?
Sugar Bowl must limit its daily visitation to ensure the safety of our guests during this COVID-19 era. To accommodate safe physical distancing between guests at all times in all areas, we cannot allow the resort to become overcrowded. We are regulating daily visitation through limits on general public tickets sales, passholder Friends & Family ticket availability and 2019/20 3 Pack usage.

When can I reserve a 3 Pack usage day and how do I make a reservation?
We'll launch our 3 Pack reservation system before the 2020/21 opening day. Once the reservation system is live, 3 Packholders must make an online reservation in advance of their planned visit. Then, on the day of your visit, proceed to a ticket window. We'll confirm that you have a reservation for the day and will issue you a ticket. If you show up without a reservation, you will be turned away. Lift tickets will not be sold or released to those who did not make a reservation/purchase online, in advance.