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The President and Chief Operating Officer for Mammoth Resorts,
Mark Brownlie, noted that, " We are investing over $1 million in COVID19 related resort enhancements. These include increased 'grab and go' food
and beverage offerings, additional outdoor seating and quick transaction technology. As always, we will be nimble in making adjustments mandated by
local health officials and state government as the COVID-19 mitigation environment continues to change. "
As skiers and snowboarders, everyone moves through the
summer months, anxiously awaiting those first snowfalls with the return of winter. It is going to be especially welcome this winter - fresh
air, the great outdoors, carving turns down our favorite run, getting
out of the house! Yes, we need this. Ski safety has always been an
important component of the snowsports experience. We follow basic
guidelines to have a safe and healthy experience on the slopes. So, this
winter, another component has been added to those basic guidelines
we know so well; following safety protocols to keep resort employees,
guests and the resort community safe and healthy during the pandemic.
Are you a free spirit? Like to plan a ski trip at the last moment
- grab your gear and head to the mountains, stay where you can find
lodging, and purchase a lift ticket at the ticket window at the resort
the morning you plan to ski or board. Not anymore. Times are very
different now. Advanced planning is absolutely mandatory. And, what
can you expect to experience in making your plans, and actually at the
resort itself? Of primary concern in your trip plans are traveling to
the resort, lift tickets, finding lodging, and planning for food.

The Basics - Travel, Lifts, Lodging, Dining
Travel
We all know the primary safety precautions: wear a mask, don't
touch your face, wash your hands often, sneeze into your elbow, and
keep a social distance of at least 6 feet. If you feel sick, or have been
in contact with someone with COVID-19, don't travel.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) established
a webpage to provide resources and information to assist passengers
who travel during this time. It assures the public that it will continue
to adjust its security operations during the COVID-19 global pandemic,
is ready to meet the current and future security needs of the nation's
transportation systems, and remains dedicated to keeping travelers and
their frontline workforce healthy and secure.
TSA also launched the " Stay Healthy. Stay Secure " campaign,
which details proactive and protective measures that have been implemented at security checkpoints to make the screening process safer
for passengers and their workforce by reducing the potential of exposure to the virus. The campaign includes guidance and resources to
help passengers prepare for the security screening process in the
COVID environment. Face coverings are required and reduced physical contact measures will be taken. TSA is allowing one liquid hand
sanitizer, up to 12 oz. per passenger, in carry-on bags. Be sure to check
your airline's website for any information applicable to travel with a
designated carrier. (https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus)
When an airport shuttle is needed, advance notice will be required and a reservation made. Vehicles will be cleaned before and
after each use, and the drivers will be wearing masks and gloves. Seating will accommodate for social distancing, and passengers might not
be able to occupy the front passenger seat.
Group travel by bus will require face coverings, cleaning and dis-

infecting procedures, and reduced physical contact. The number of
passengers that can be on a bus at one time will be limited. This limitation has especially impacted the FWSA ski clubs and councils, planning club trips to their local mountains.

Season Passes/Tickets
Season ticket holders will be given priority access on the hill, so
if you haven't purchased a season pass yet, you might consider doing
so this year. Resort visits will be under a stringent control, to avoid
overcrowding. In order to do that, lift tickets will be mainly by advance purchase only. Walk-up window ticket sales might not be available at the resort. Not only does advance purchase help control the
number of tickets sold, but it also avoids overcrowding at a ticket purchase location.
It was natural for season ticket holders to hold back on purchasing their season passes, until they had more information on how the
pandemic would impact the ability to ski or board, so purchase deadlines were extended. For the 34 North American resorts offering the
Epic Pass, reservations are required for every day of the upcoming
season. In addition to the season pass, day passes can be purchased.
New for 2020/21, is the Epic Mountain Rewards, where purchasers
can save up to 20% off food, lodging, lessons, rentals and more. Vail
Resorts Operating Plan has an early season reserved for pass holders
only, and will not be selling lift tickets until December 8.
(https://www.epicpass.com/)
Rusty Gregory of Alterra stated that the Ikon Pass sales were
" shockingly strong " leading up to his company's May 27 deadline to
buy at the lowest price. The pass was available for $999 and a discount for renewing customers. The Ikon Pass services up to 44
worldwide destinations, with a choice of passes available, including a
4-Day Pass. A discounted price was still available until October 14.
The Adventure Assurance was expanded, where a customer can roll
the purchase price paid for an unused pass over to 2021/22, or defer
the purchase price paid for the 2020/21 Pass toward the purchase of
a 2021/22 Pass. (https://www.ikonpass.com/)
New this year, Big White Ski Resort is introducing an online, notouch day ticket dispensing system. The only way to purchase a day
ticket, the program automatically offers guests 25% off the retail price
of the day (adjusted for mid-week, weekends, and peak periods).
There will be 15 pick-up ticket boxes located around the resort.

Lodging
Book your reservation before traveling to your destination. You
can rest assured lodging properties have also invested heavily to ensure guest safety. You will see a constant cleaning and sanitizing of
all public areas. They will be working off a COVID-19 Checklist that
is in accordance with the current CDC Guidelines for disinfection.
Elevator use might be limited to only guests sharing a room being allowed in an elevator at the same time. Otherwise, service might be
limited to only one or two persons at a time. Lodging amenities, such
as a pool, massage, spa, hair salon and fitness centers will follow sanitation and social distancing guidelines, and not all the amenities you
are used to, will be open.
The procedure at the front desk will minimize contact with employees. You might see decals or tape to indicate space for social distancing. A contactless check-in will be the priority, via email or text
message. Keys will be ready to be handed to guests. Credit card
readers will be facing the guests, for self use, rather than handing

36 Far West Skier's Guide 2O2O - 2O21 / Visit the Digital Edition at www.fwsa.org.

https://www.epicpass.com/ https://www.ikonpass.com/ https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus http://www.fwsa.org

2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide

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