Colorado’s ski season came to an abrupt end in response to the coronavirus, prompting Vail Resorts to donate more than 50,000 pounds of perishable foods to local food banks, schools, organizations, and mountain communities.

Mountain communities across the continent, including in Colorado, British Columbia, and New Hampshire, received an abundance of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, juices, and granola bars.

Keeping 4,000 pounds of food from going to waste in the Keystone Resort warehouse, Leadville Mayor Greg Labbe and a team of locals made a large delivery to the St. George’s Episcopal Church for community meals and food distribution.

John McMurtry, executive director of the Lake County Community Fund says, “We sent an urgent request for food donations. The next day, Vail Resorts donated more than 4,000 pounds of fresh produce and food items from the Keystone Resort warehouse. The food was delivered to St. George’s Episcopal Church for community meals and food distribution. We are very grateful for the timely response and humanitarian support from Vail Resorts.”

The Breckenridge Resort team also came together with #TheBreckEffect, donating 5,500 pounds of food to local food banks and surplus N95 masks and gloves to support emergency and healthcare professionals.

Also joining the fight against the coronavirus, Summit County Ski Resorts and the U.S. Forest Service are asking everyone to please stay home, recreate responsibly, respect uphill access closures in an effort to help protect the mountain communities, first responders, and health care professionals.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Beyond the ski resorts, please respect all outdoor recreation closures. If venturing outdoors, stay close to home, be safe, and maintain social distancing – keeping six feet apart from one another. Resources for first responders and emergency personnel are very limited, especially in the mountain communities. Avoid the backcountry and any outdoor activities that could put search and rescue teams at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. A stay-at-home order has been issued for Colorado until April 11.