Rumors were flying last week about reserved paid parking being implemented for the upcoming Freedom Fest at Alpine Meadows over the Fourth of July holiday. Even though those rumors were from very credible sources, it wasn’t something to jump on until there were more facts available. That moment has arrived. They will be announcing that program today according to Dee Byrne, President and COO of Palisades Tahoe.
Every Fourth of July ski weekend in the last twenty five years in Tahoe has been very popular. They have attracted so many people that I have not attended one since 2011. This year, with the Olympic Valley terrain out of play, I would expect a virtual stampede of traffic to Alpine Meadows. This is the concern for mountain managers, including Ms. Byrne. Nobody wants to see a three mile long line of traffic clogging Alpine Meadows Road long after the lots are full.
Implementing reserved parking for the Freedom Fest makes sense in an effort to avoid gridlock. The good news is that the paid reservations will be only be $10 according to Byrne. That’s probably not going to dissuade many people from attending. For people that really want free and unreserved parking, that will be available from the Olympic Valley lots. Shuttles will be available, but no details are available on that yet.
Yikes, I have mentioned before that parking out both sides of the mountain could lead to some phenomenal crowds for the weekend. Seeing the strong continuous demand for skiing and riding during the month of June has only strengthened those concerns.
The reduction in ski terrain and rapid rate of snow melt are also a concern for Byrne. She emphasized that they are ready to call off the skiing and riding if needed. There’s not a clear answer if music and other entertainment would still be offered if lifts don’t run.
So here we are, paid parking reservations are about to become “a thing” at our favorite mountain. For the Fourth of July weekend, it makes sense to minimize the risk of complete gridlock in the area over the holiday weekend. Hopefully, management will get a chance to work some kinks out of whatever the new system looks like, and learn what improvements are needed if they plan to do the same during weekends and holidays next season.
Do I like it? No. Is it the right thing to do? Yes. They have to do something to control numbers….parking reservations or skiing reservations. Let’s see how it works out…if the snow situation works out.
The official announcement and the reservation system is supposed to be available today. If you’re stoked about skiing on the Fourth of July holiday weekend, bust out the plastic and standby your browser.
You could have the brain of a goldfish and still see there is a not enough snow to farm on blue and red to keep Sandy’s corner and the rest of the east/west runout alive for 2 more weeks. Curious to see how this will pan out
WTF!!!!
Paid parking for a “Freedom Fest.” Ironic.
Doesn’t it seem wrong to not offer shuttle service or a Mountineer system for those living in Alpine Meadows? If the goal is to reduce traffic and carbon emissions, they shouldn’t expect residents who may live a mile or two from the resort to crowd highway 89 to park at Olympic Valley for a free parking shuttle back to where we started. I’d walk or bike if I could, but not the best plan with a 3 year old especially if Alpine Meadows road is expected to be full with traffic.
No helmets in 2011?
And I discovered the first issue…. I booked one day using Apple Pay…. super simple and easy until I noticed you have to also enter your license plate. No way to go back and do that now. I am assuming they are using license plate scanners for enforcement….
You go into the ParkWhiz website and edit your pass, i.e. add a license plate. Or cancel the pass. The website recognizes you by your email.
alan
So generous giving out 100 free t-shirts on the 4th!
OMG I just read that…I gave out twenty free Alpine Meadows Summer Session tees this month and I make about two bucks a month here…
If only there were some sort of powered shiny new conveyance-boxes that could be pressed into service to shuttle people to and from Alpine/PT without using any vehicles on the roads… Hmm… what could it be?
I believe they are not allowed to operated the shiny boxes after the end of April.