Rick Karlin is reporting for the Times Union the Hunter Mountain resort was closed Tue., Jan. 5, because too many of its ski patrollers were out of work due to COVID-19, according to a Facebook post. “Unfortunately, this morning at Hunter Mountain, a number of ski patrollers excluded out of work relating to COVID-19, and as such we will not be opening the mountain,” read the statement. “We will be assessing our ability to operate tomorrow, January 6, and will share that information as soon as possible later today,” the post concluded. According to comments on the post, skiers and snowboarders showed up at the resort and waited outside until about 9:45 a.m. when company officials announced the slopes would not open. Anyone who purchased tickets online will receive coupons good for another day. The Colorado-based Vail Resorts, which owns Hunter Mountain, could not immediately be reached for comment. Ski areas are having employees fill out daily phone app health screenings, and the resorts can curtail their food service, grooming, instructions and still remain open. But without a sufficient number of patrollers to care for injured skiers, or to unload a lift in the rare event that one stalls or breaks down, ski resorts cannot operate safely. It was not immediately known if any other resorts were closing due to such shortages. Both Windham Mountain and Belleayre were operating Tuesday. Read the full story in the Times Union.