Camelback Resort announced it would close its entire resort, starting Tuesday. The Pocono Mountains resort, which includes the Aquatopia indoor water park, will reopen April 2. (PHOTO/SUBMITTED)
Camelback Mountain Resort in Tannersville is among the first of the region’s resorts that announced a closure today because of the coronavirus.
The company said it would temporarily close the entire resort, starting 4 p.m. Tuesday and reopen April 2.
“Your safety and health is our primary focus and we continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation and follow the CDC and U.S. public health recommendations as they evolve,” said Shawn Hauver, president and managing director of Camelback Resort, in a letter. This temporary closure will encompass all operations including the Ski Mountain and Snowtubing Park, Hauver said.
Hauver said there have been no cases of COVID-19 at Camelback Resort, however with recent focus from federal and state government officials on restricting large gatherings the company believes it is in the best interest of its guests and team members to temporarily
close the resort.
“Our thoughts are with those families who have been affected during this trying time, and we will continue to send positive thoughts to you all.”
The resort is taking extensive steps to care for its team members during the temporary closure with working hours where possible, company-sponsored time off for many team members and other measures, Hauver said.
“Their commitment to our company and guests during this uncertain time has been unwavering.”
During this temporary closure, the resort will continue efforts to provide a clean and safe environment for its team members who are working, Hauver said.
“We had some warm temperatures so fortunately, our season was winding down,” said A.J. Stack, director of marketing for Camelback. “For every business, it’s going to make a huge impact. We decided as a company to close everything for two weeks because it was the right thing to do. We all need to do our part and stop the spread of the virus.”
The resort will refund any room reservations and guests can re-book at a later date.
“It’s going to have a huge impact on every business across the world so we are all feeling the effects,” Stack said.
Gary Kline, director of marketing at Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Longswamp Township, said the company does not have official word yet that it would close because of the coronavirus.
The resort closed for skiing for the rest of the season, he said.
Meanwhile, Blue Mountain Resort in Lower Towamensing Township, Carbon County, has closed for the ski season.
“Typically, we only make it to the third week in March,” said Ashley Seier, director of marketing at Blue Mountain. “We close because of the weather.”
The resort’s restaurant, the Slopeside Pub & Grill, will stay open Friday through Sunday and will expand its to-go ordering service, she said.
“We’ve taken extra precautions on seating the restaurant at 50% capacity,” she said. In addition, the staff cleans and sanitizes menus.
During this part of the season, the only venue open at Blue Mountain is the restaurant, so for now, it’s business as usual, she said.
In May, the resort opens for its “green” season, which includes outdoor activities that run from May through October.
Over the winter season, Blue Mountain employs about 1,300 employees and during its green season, about 250, Seier said.
The resort has some weddings and events scheduled later in the season, but those are still on for now.
“We have had some people call, as of right now, we are complying with CDC recommendations,” she said.
However, the resort had to cancel its Pondskim event, an annual “end of ski” season celebration that was scheduled for Sunday because of the virus.
This story will be updated.
