Industry News
COVID-19 and Alta Ski Area — how will they mix this season?
Alta’s President Mike Maughan outlined Alta’s COVID-19 guidelines this winter in a letter to skiers in which he writes:
Alta Skiers,
The change in fall color along with the arrival of crisp temperatures and light snowfall signals that our favorite season, ski season, is on our doorstep. Our target opening date of November 21st (conditions permitting) is now 52 days away!
While skiing is our passion—and has been so for 83 winters—the COVID-19 pandemic requires changes to our winter operations for the well-being and health of our employees, skiers and community. We are committed to following ski industry best practices and CDC, state, and local health guidelines. Since we are all in this together, we need to be flexible as pandemic conditions and circumstances change.
The good news is that the natural advantages of skiing make it a lower risk recreation activity because skiing is (mostly) an outdoors sport. Face coverings, goggles, helmets, gloves, and chairlifts moving 5 to 11 miles per hour also reduce the spread of the virus and tip to tail queuing in lift mazes naturally places distance between parties.
Despite the natural advantages of skiing, changes to our winter operations are required for the well-being and health of our skiers and employees. The pillars of our changes are:
• Face Coverings – Face coverings will be required in both indoor and outdoor spaces, except when eating or drinking. Face coverings will also be required to ride chairlifts. • Limited Indoor Capacity – Restaurants and retail spaces will have limited capacity. • Physical Distancing – Physical barriers, spacing and signage will be used to allow appropriate physical distancing between skiers. • Cleaning and Sanitization – Cleaning and sanitization practices will be increased and be compliant with federal, state, and local guidelines.
Please take a few minutes to review Alta’s COVID-19 Response page prior to visiting Alta each day this season. We will keep this page updated with the latest information related to our winter operations. If you are uncomfortable with our operating plans, you can take advantage of our peace-of-mind purchasing refund.
It is my hope we all stay healthy and have the opportunity to savor the character, beauty and magic of skiing at Alta this winter.
Thank you for skiing Alta,
Mike Maughan
President & General Manager
