Colorado ski areas will be required to keep parties in lift lines separated by 6 feet in all directions, limit capacity in gondola cabins and on lift chairs, and offer trip cancellation policies that don’t pressure customers into traveling if they are sick, according to general COVID-19 guidelines released by the state government Wednesday.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provided ski areas with a list of issues that need to be addressed for the 2020-21 season. Ski areas now must finalize their plans, present them to local public health departments for approval and then submit them to the state for endorsement before the season kicks off. The state’s guidelines can be found at the CDPHE website.
The state provided guidance on loading gondolas and lifts and also urged ski areas to sharpen plans for crowd size management through tactics such as reservations and congestion-based pricing. Unfortunately lines will be part of the ski industry this year. Distancing will be required at restaurants, ticket offices and even bathrooms.
Colorado Ski Country USA, a state trade association, was complimentary of the guidance.
“We appreciate the state’s efforts to work with the industry, local public health officials and counties to craft guidance that sets the stage for a long, successful ski season from a ski industry, public health and local community perspective,” said a statement from CSCUSA president and CEO Melanie Mills. “Finalizing this guidance is an important step as ski areas across the state gear up for ski season and finalize their own area-specific plans for this winter.”
The trade association has embarked on a campaign to urge ski area customers to “Know Before You Go.”
“Visit ski area websites, social media channels or coloradoski.com to understand the most up-to-date COVID-related policies and procedures as well as expectations for guest responsibilities during a visit to a ski area,” the association’s statement said.
One particularly ticklish issue addressed by state guidelines was cancellation policies.
The state guidelines pose these questions: “How will the ski area address cancellation and postponement policies so that guests do not feel pressured to come if they are sick? How will the ski areas communicate to guests that they should reschedule their vacation if they begin to experience any symptoms before traveling?”
Ski areas must also be prepared to scale their operations up or down according to COVID-19 positive tests in their communities, the state guidelines said. “How will the ski area learn from its initial opening and improve protocols based on experience?” the document asked.
Then there’s the big issue of enforcement. The state wants ski areas to address how they will enforce compliance with state and local orders and guidelines by their customers and staff.
While ski buffs are common among skiers and snowboarders, at least when the weather is cooler, the state wants to make sure masks are worn “to the maximum extent practicable in both indoor and outdoor public spaces, ski schools, and while riding chairlifts or gondolas.”
Special Thanks to scondon@aspentimes.com
