First Snow in Ski Resorts in Canada as Covid-19 Rules for Next Season Released
8th September 2020
Last modified on May 14th, 2021
Winter is on its way with snow at altitude in Canada. The resorts are looking ahead to what the season of 2020/21 may be like as the pandemic continues. UPDATED
It is always a welcome site and the snow has been falling at some of the ski resorts in Alberta, Canada.
See here for our earlier story as we looked at the early snow in the Alps and in the USA:
Resorts in Canada are beginning to release their plans for opening amid Covid-19.
There is little difference between the resorts as they simply have to follow rules and regulations laid down by the central authorities.
Sunshine Village near Banff in Alberta has been closed since early March, and mountain officials said they have been working alongside Alberta Health Services to develop guidelines for a safe reopening.
“We’re definitely excited for the upcoming ski season,” said Sunshine Village communications director, Kendra Scurfield.
“It’s been a long off-season so our team has had a lot of time to really reflect and dive into what we want and how we can operate safely.”
The mountain resort has a tentative opening date of November 7th.
Face coverings will be mandatory at Sunshine Village this season, including in lines for lifts as well as in the lodges.
The resort wants people to ski later in the day to try to stagger start times and avoid overcrowding.
“Things we’re really focused on is increased sanitisation, increased disinfection of our primary areas and really putting out messaging and extra seating throughout the resort,” said Kendra Scurfield .
With international border closures still in effect, Sunshine Village is anticipating less international travellers this upcoming season.
PlanetSKI reporter, Ross Young, is hoping to visit Revelstoke and Big White in December, though it remains in the balance with restrictions on international visitors.
At Big White tickets will need to be purchased online in advance to eliminate person-to-person contact and ensure the mountain can manage guest numbers.
People will need to wear masks on the lifts and in the queues.
There will be social distancing in the restaurants and bars, with more takeaway options.
The rental shops will need a reservation and people can hire a ski instructor to teach the people in their bubble. It is unlikely there will be group lessons.
“You’ve got something on your feet that’s more than a metre long, so that’s going to help,” said Michael Ballingall, the senior vice-president of Big White Ski Resort to local media.
“I think it’s going to feel a little like it did in the ’70s or ’80s.”
In the meantime lets enjoy the images of the early snow.
