Despite COVID Challenges It’s Been a Great Year at White Pass
(Scroll down for the audio from our interview)
The General Manager of the White Pass Ski Area says COVID-19 has been challenging this year but it hasn't stopped a record amount of people from visiting and enjoying the outdoors. Kevin McCarthy says despite the COVID-19 challenges it's been a very successful season with lots of people enjoying skiing and riding. In fact McCarthy says it's been one of the best seasons in years. It's March and that's usually the time the ski are holds its annual Winter Carnival something that's been happening for more than 30-years. Because of COVID-19 concerns the carnival has been cancelled however a large snow castle has been constructed in front of the day lodge in honor of one of the past builders and friends of White Pass Dave Ruby. Ruby passed away late last year and his fellow snow castle builders decided to build the castle this year in his honor. No sledding is allowed off the castle this year so it's truly a castle dedicated to a friend who spent 26-years building castles for the White Pass Winter Carnival.
McCarthy says they'll continue with daily operations through April 11 and then decide how they will operate after that date.
He says while they've been under restrictions this season he's hoping next season will be more open and back to normal however he says they're preparing for both a normal season and another season that could be impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.
Because of the COVID-19 restrictions limit the number of people at the ski area McCarthy says they're delaying the spring pass sale that usually starts within the next month. He says they'll release more information next month.