WINTER EXPECTATIONS

A letter from General Manager Dean Prentice delivered to email subscribers Friday, September 11, 2020

With summer nearing its end, as somebody who has long been committed to an active outdoor lifestyle and particularly as a skier, I can honestly say there has never been a time when I anticipated the arrival of a winter season more than this year. The magic of winter - snow silently falling, the crisp winter air and the excitement of linking turns on every unique run is always special. This year it’s safe to say “special” could be expanded to include therapeutic. In a sense, we need this ski season for our emotional and physical wellbeing as much as for the enjoyment. We believe recreation is one of the essential food groups - now more than ever.

I want to share Mt. Washington Alpine Resort's plans for the upcoming season. There has been so much uncertainty since the COVID 19 pandemic first upended our lives. Among the many lessons learned is the importance of clear and consistent communication, the setting of realistic expectations, and the need for tolerance for unexpected changes.

The embrace of all these lessons is going to be critical to a successful ski season, as is the recognition we’re all in this together.   A collective effort must be part of the foundation for success as we strive to balance the safety of our guests, employees, and the local communities in which we operate our business.

In addition to following all CDC and local regulations, Mt. Washington will require the use of face coverings, will implement necessary changes to allow for physical distancing, and we will closely monitor employee health in accordance with BC Provincial Health and Work Safe policies including requiring employees to stay home if they are sick. Similarly, we encourage our guests not to visit if they are unwell or have any symptoms related to COVID 19. We will implement additional precautions related to ski school, rental equipment, food and beverage, and hospitality as further outlined below.

I’m excited to say, Mt. Washington plans to open Friday, December 4th, 2020 for the start of the winter season. As always with our coastal climate, this depends on the weather, but our snowmaking system is ready to blow, and we hope for cold temperatures as well as Mother Nature’s support for an on-time opening.

As many of you know, capacity restrictions are one of the tools being used for the spread of the coronavirus. Lift accessed skiing and riding at Mt. Washington Alpine Resort takes place on over 1,700 acres, in addition to our Nordic offerings, ensuring the opportunity for many to safely recreate without restrictions. Nevertheless, we will adhere to any limitations imposed by BC Provincial Health authorities and as of the date of this letter, it is unknown to what extent we may be required to limit attendance. That being said, we are confident any restrictions will be on a limited number of occasions and guests will have access on a vast majority of operating days.

Season Pass Holders will be our highest priority in managing any on-mountain capacity restrictions. It is our intention to allow Pass Holders access any day the resort is open without reservations or other exceptional requirements. Our primary means to control capacity will be done if necessary by limiting the sale of daily lift tickets.

It is possible we may need to control the number of guests, including Pass Holders, in the event there is limited terrain open. In such a case, Mt. Washington will implement an online advanced reservation system and requirements for reservations will be communicated on the website, via email, on social media, and through the resort app. Pass Holders are strongly encouraged to download the resort app and enable push notifications. This will be the quickest and most certain way to stay on top of changes of any kind.

Face coverings will be required to access the mountain, including in lift lines and while loading, unloading and riding on chairlifts.  Face coverings will be required in every part of our operation including in the base area, inside all buildings, and during all ski and snowboard lessons.  We are asking everyone to support these necessary changes and cooperate with resort workers who are in the challenging role of ensuring everyone’s safety. Guests who don’t comply with the guidelines will be asked to leave.

We will do everything possible and practical to allow for physical distancing throughout the resort to help ensure a safe experience. First and foremost, we will manage the number of people on the mountain, as well as those entering buildings including base lodges and restaurants, in accordance with provincial capacity guidelines. Additionally, we will load lifts and form lines maintaining distancing guidelines applicable to each individual lift configuration. This may change between now and the beginning of ski season or even during the season as more information is disseminated from BC Provincial Health authorities. We are working to expand areas to comfortably accommodate guests while maintaining distancing requirements and revising menus and service levels that strike a balance between safety, forced capacity limits, and reasonable hospitality. Some of the “new norms” we all have embraced over the summer – take out, grab and go – will be in place for the winter, as well as online food ordering.

Ski school is an important part of every mountain operation because it introduces people to the sport and helps them improve so the sport is more enjoyable. Our teaching professionals are always committed to safety and enjoyment while learning, and this season that will be highlighted more than ever.  Ski and snowboard school formats will be revised to accommodate either small groups or individual self-paced learning options. Advanced reservations will be required for all lessons and programs. The duration of all lessons will also be modified to allow for most of a session to take place outdoors, reducing the number of indoor breaks.

Children’s on snow programs will be the subject of particular emphasis with small class sizes and minimal exposure to larger group settings.  Unfortunately, childcare (non-skiing) will not be available this season unless circumstances change in a meaningful way.

Equipment rental will be available exclusively online with advanced reservations. Pick up and drop off of equipment may be modified to accommodate social distancing and limit the number of people in confined spaces.

There is no avoiding the fact that navigating your way around the resort will be different this winter. Compared to the alternative of no season, I hope you’ll agree the changes are manageable and worth any inconvenience.

The website will be updated regularly with the latest details on restrictions and other important information. The resort app, available for download on both iOS or Android, will be one of the best ways to stay informed through push notifications and current status updates.

Advanced planning and pre-purchases will be more important than ever. Most products will only be available online in advance. Knowing what to expect when you arrive will go a long way toward minimizing confusion and frustration.

Finally, for those who purchased a Season Pass for this year or are considering doing so, but are still uncertain about their preferences this winter, please remember there is the option to defer the use of that pass until next season:

• Anyone who buys a Season Pass for the 2020/2021 season can choose to request to defer the use of the pass until the 2021/2022 season.
• The request must be made by sending an email stating the request between October 1st and November 25th, 2020, and the request must include the pass holder name and the number on the pass.
• This is not an offer of a cash refund or any other credit offer and only applies to the one-time deferral of a 2020/2021 season pass in exchange for a 2021/2022 season pass.
• The pass will be moved to the 2021/2022 winter season at no charge, regardless of a season pass price increase.

As you can see, we are planning lots of changes with the objective of making us all safer and more comfortable this winter season. While some of the changes will be a little inconvenient, we think it is a small price to accept for safety and the opportunity to have a great season on the slopes.  I look forward to adventuring with you soon.

Sincerely,

Dean Prentice
General Manager

1.   Have I been in contact in the previous 14 days with anyone who has returned from abroad? No.

2.   Do I have any symptoms of COVID-19 including sore throat, persistent cough or fever? No.

3.   Do I live in a household with someone who has COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19? No.

4.   Do I agree to practice 2 metre / 6ft physical distancing while at the resort and not congregate with any individuals outside my household group? Yes.

5.   Do I agree to comply with the mandatory mask or facial covering regulation while at the resort? Yes.