Ski season has arrived, and outdoor enthusiasts can’t keep calm! It’s hard to resist the beckoning of the snow-covered mountains, isn’t it? You don’t have to forsake the thrill of sliding down the slopes when you could enjoy skiing without risking your health. The best part about skiing is that it is naturally a socially-distanced sport that exposes you to fresh alpine air while the goggles, helmet, gloves, and other ski gear double as safety equipment. With proper precautions at resorts and during the journey (especially if you are traveling by air by booking flights with iEagle to your skiing destination), you could fully enjoy a ski trip during COVID-19 and stay safe. Read on!
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Book in advance:
Most skiing resorts, nearby hotels, and restaurants have resumed operations at a reduced capacity post the months-long shut down due to the pandemic. So, the smartest thing to do when planning a ski trip during COVID-19 is to book reservations in advance. Do book everything in advance from lodges, restaurants to lift tickets, and ski and snowboard rental equipment. Booking online lift tickets is not only recommended but required to access a few slopes across North America. If possible, choose a weekday for your skiing trip to avoid crowds during the weekend.
Check out the resort’s up-to-date rules, regulations, and safety procedures:
This is a very uncertain time that we are scraping through. Restrictions and guidelines – be it the ones concerning entry to a region or the activity-specific guidelines – might change anytime depending on the severity of the ongoing pandemic situation. As the protocols vary from place to place, it’s best to ‘know before you go’ for a ski trip during COVID-19. While some ski resorts are not limiting the ticket sales, some others are placing limitations on the ticket sales to manage the crowd on the mountain in accordance with the social distancing guidelines. Most resorts have completely shifted to advanced online reservations. Visit the official website of various ski resorts to keep yourself updated.
How are skiing destinations prepping for this skiing season?
Ski resorts are following stringent cleaning and disinfection procedures and implementing all the safety protocols (right from the sanitation of high-touch areas to regular health screening of their staff) to make this beloved winter sport as safe as possible for both their staff and the skiers returning to the slopes. Here are the major changes you’d see on your ski trip during COVID-19.
- Ski resorts and restaurants reducing their indoor capacity and mandating advance online bookings.
- Visitors will be required to wear face masks except when eating/ drinking.
- Hand-sanitizing stations will be put up near the chair lift lines.
- The seating arrangement on chairlifts will be reconfigured.
- Gondola capacity might also be limited and windows might be kept open.
- Only the members of the same travel group will be allowed to ride together in chair lifts/ gondolas.
- Visitors might also be asked to provide their details for contract tracing purposes.
- Attending private lessons and classes will require advance reservations.
- Non-availability of full-service bars, après-ski activities at ski lodges.
- Restaurants limiting meal options besides promoting outdoor dining.
- Cashless transactions.
- Certain restaurants will also offer the service of ‘pre-ordering’ the food through apps.
- Food vendors offering “grab-and-go” food and drink services.
The best safety practices to follow if you are up for a ski trip during COVID-19:
Choosing a lower-risk skiing destination with the best safety practices is only the first step of planning a safe ski trip during COVID-19 because doing your part by following the below safety tips is just as important.
- Always wear your facemask both indoors and outdoors.
- Say ‘no’ to the post-ski hot tub soak.
- If possible, bring your own gear.
- Always keep the hand sanitizer handy (carry it in the zipped pockets of your jacket).
- Comply with the safety measures being implemented at your destination.
- Prefer the local mountains to avoid traveling far.
