Shut by COVID-19, Snow King Mountain to reopen for summer

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) - Snow King Mountain shut down in March due to the coronavirus pandemic but plans to reopen starting Memorial Day weekend.

Snow King Mountain has developed an operations plan and will open for summer season as scheduled May 23, officials at the ski hill in Jackson announced Thursday.

The announcement came as Wyoming prepared to ease up on public health measures. Starting Friday, people could gather in groups as large as 25, up from 10 previously, and dine in at restaurants where servers wear masks and keep tables widely separated.

Summer offerings at Snow King will include a scenic lift, mini golf, ropes course and zip lines. The Kings Grill restaurant will open for prepackaged snacks and drinks.

Bikes, stand-up paddle boards and kid kayaks will be available for rent and guided hikes will be available for small groups.

Employees in close contact with guests will wear masks and enforce social-distancin! g guidelines.

Wyoming on Friday had 701 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19, of which 487 had recovered. Seven people had died of the illness.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.