‘A good year’: Alpine Valley Resort seeing big business as many hit the slopes to socially distance

ELKHORN, Wis. (CBS 58) — Recent snow and the need to social distance is working in one area business’ favor.

Leaders at Alpine Valley Resort in Elkhorn say so far this year, they’ve seen more skiers and snowboarders compared to years past. 

“This is definitely a good year,” General manager Jamison Stachel said. “We’ve been blessed with a lot of skiers, great conditions, great weather and just a lot more to come.”

Stachel and those on the slopes say it’s a good way to socially distance while being outside. 

“There’s a great distance you can put between you and other people down here, so yeah skiing and snowboarding is great,” Snowboarder Quin Cockerill said. 

The resort has several COVID-19 precautions including mask requirements and indoor seating limits. Unlike years past, all ski lifts are running every day to also promote social distancing. Additionally, Alpine Valley is capping the number of skiers and snowboarders and on weekends have had to turn people away. 

“We’ve been keeping a little bit lower numbers than what we want to be on the hill, just to give everybody a quality product and a safe time while they’re at the hill,” Stachel said. 

Cockerill came to snowboard on Wednesday, Feb. 3 from Illinois. 

“With everything going on with COVID, work is a little bit shy, hours are a little bit scarce, so I mean I had the day off and just decided it’s a nice day out,” he said. 

Stachel said they hope to keep the hill open as long as weather allows which could be mid to late March.