Ski Hills put COVID plans in place

Timberline lodge on a bluebird day

By Haley Mast

Dreaming of epic pow turns? Well, it's that time of year to pull your skis and boards out of the closet. The resorts on Mount Hood have been working to create a fun and safe season ahead for guests and staff alike. Be prepared for what’s to come this year before driving up to your favorite ski resort.

Mt Hood Meadows

Overnight snow dump in the midst of winter is caught piled high on a picnic table that is cleared daily at Mt. Hood Meadows.

The ski season will be altered this year at Meadows, but all the stoke is here to stay, said Dave Tragethon, marketing manager of Mt. Hood Meadows.

Reservations

Day tickets, rental gear, and ski/snowboard lessons all require a reservation to be made online through the Ski Hood Website. These reservations are required to reduce the crowding of guests in these high-trafficked areas within the resort to provide social distancing. Day-ticket reservation allowance will vary daily. The number of day tickets available is dependent on peak days and estimated account of season pass holders at the resort for that corresponding day. 

Lodging

Tragethon announced the opening of the 2,300 square-foot Sahale Lodge. The lodge was developed with a modern HVAC system, making it more effective in properly circulating and disposing of old air. 

Seating inside the lodges will be limited; grab-and-go options for food will be available along with some sit-down dining but,  “Guests are encouraged to turn their vehicles into their lodge,” said Tragethon, noting the safety of social distancing. 

When guests arrive and get out of their cars they are encouraged to wear face coverings until they are done skiing and get in their vehicles to leave. The expectation for this is when guests are out on the ski hill- not riding the lifts- where they can space six feet or more away from one another. Tragethon said guests will need to boot and gear up in their vehicles instead of inside the lodge. It is recommended that people bring sack lunches with them, or purchase grab-and-go items to then “tailgate at their vehicles in the lot”, Tragethon said. 

Meadows is committed to supplying its guests and staff with a fun and safe winter. “We have worked hard to ensure this will happen,” he said. 

Access the Mt. Hood Meadows website for more information by clicking here.

Pow Pillows on a sunny bluebird day. Our own Haley Mast is ruthless!

Timberline Lodge

Timberline’s website is descriptive with their plans to move forward this season in the midst of the global pandemic. 

Capacity management

During peak ski season days, timberline will be using online reservations for those planning a day on hill. Reservation inventory will be divided between pass holders and day-lift ticket purchases.

This summer, they installed a new high-speed quad chairlift on Pucci run; this will- in hopes- speed more folks out across the mountain and limit crowding at the bottom of the lifts. 

Resort operation management 

Side hits with a view of Mt. Jefferson at Timberline Lodge.

Timberline has made a plan for their typical resort operations and services to provide safety to guests and staff. 

Upon arrival at the resort, guests will be stopped at a checkpoint on Timberline Road to provide information to visitors. 

Timberlines kids club will not operate this upcoming ski season, and the ski-and-ride school will be offered only in private lessons. 

Ski and snowboard rentals will require social distancing protocols that Timberline has yet to release.

The Mt. Hood Express bus anticipates operating. However the shuttle will not operate at the beginning of winter. Timberline says this plan will be reassessed as the season progresses.

Season Passes 

Timberline offers a handful of different season pass options. Guests who had season passes last year can use their credits from having the season cut short on a new pass for the upcoming season. Credit must be applied to a new pass no later than Oct. 18, 2020. 

 A note from Timberline on the season pass credit: “You will need your 2019/2020 pass number in order to utilize the pass credit. Subaru Fusion and Timberline Flex Passes are not eligible for a credit. Passholders will receive an email or letter that contains this information by Oct. 5th.”

You can access Timberline’s website here.

Mt. Hood Skibowl 

Mt. Hood Skibowl plans on opening this season with operations different from normal, in precaution of COVID. They plan on opening late November for snow tubing and early December for skiing, weather permitting. 

Safety Precautions 

Skibowl will require guests to wear masks indoors, in lines, in parking lots, on chair lifts, and whenever physical distancing cannot be achieved. 

Volume management is also a concern for Skibowl; all visitors will be required to make reservations online before arriving at the resort. 

The lodge will be extremely limited to guests. Skibowl said they are “offering inside space to quickly warm-up, grab a quick bite or grab-n-go food, and to use the restroom”.  

Tickets and Reservations

As day turns to dusk at Skibowl.

Skibowl said “ALL tickets MUST be purchased online, in advance. There will not be “walk-up” ticket sales this season. The online sales platform will remind you of your responsibility with respect to visiting and also require you to answer a few COVID-related questions.”

Season pass holders, guests planning on tubing, and purchasers of day tickets, ski/board lessons, and gear rental will all need to make a reservation online before arriving at the resort. 

“We likely will require ALL visitors to make an online reservation, including pass holders if necessary. In the event we require online reservations of all guests, available inventory will be separated into two groups: pass holders and day lift tickets” said Skibowl. 

Skibowls VP/GM Mike Quinn left a statement in regards to the upcoming season 

“As stated above, we anticipate many changes to “normal” operating procedures this season. Those looking to ski and ride with us this winter should expect a “back to basics” experience. Meaning you should arrive ready to ski or ride, including getting ready at your car as indoor space will be extremely limited. Consider packing a lunch or a snack and warming up in your vehicle. The goal is to provide a quality, recreational experience taking advantage of what the outdoors has to offer.”

More information can be found on the Skibowls website which can be accessed by clicking here.