PSA: Here’s How to Keep the Mountain Open

Signs at JHMR remind guests to mask up and keep their distance. Photo from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

This ski season already looks different in a lot of ways. Many mountains have implemented policies in order to keep their guests and staff safe and stay open all season. Our own Jackson Hole Mountain Resort recently released a COVID-19 policy update for the mountain. Here are their tips for helping make this season last:

Wear a mask. JHMR requires all guests and staff to be wearing a mask in any indoor or outdoor public areas, any mountain common areas, inside all buildings, and while loading, riding, or exiting lift lines, gondolas or tram cars, and chairlifts. Guests are not required to wear a mask while actually skiing or riding, and when seated for meals. Guests are encouraged to wear multiple layer, non-woven fabric facemasks. JHMR has surgical masks available, but encourages guests to come prepared and bring their own. In addition to wearing a mask, guests are asked to keep good physical distancing by remaining six feet from others.

Views from the Gondola don't get any worse with a mask on. Photo from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

In addition to wearing a mask for your own and for others protection, consider using your car as your own private base lodge. Boot up and leave your gear in the car so you don’t need to spend time in a crowded base lodge. Consider walking from the parking lot to the base area if possible to avoid a shuttle bus. Finally, this might not be the season to push the limits of what you think is possible on skis. Hospitals, particularly in mountain towns, are still overwhelmed, so don’t add to the burden by getting hurt on the mountain and taking up valuable medical care!

Jackson Hole's COVID-19 guidelines help not only protect the guests, but their staff too. Photo from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

Although many new policies are in place for the season, JHMR also asks that people remember ski resort etiquette from seasons past as well. This includes respecting all mountain closures and rules, and skiing within your limits. We’re all hoping for a long, and snow-filled season. Following these guidelines will help make sure the resorts can stay open even amongst all the changes.