WINTER EXPECTATIONS
PLAN AHEAD FOR YOUR ADVENTURES
With the announcement today of stronger province-wide restrictions in effect, we all need to continue doing our part to keep the last week of the 2020/2021 season safe. Here is what you need to know about Mount Washington operations starting tomorrow, Tuesday, March 30th:
No indoor dining is permitted, which means only Take-Out Food Orders will be available. Order online from the MW Mobile App, or one member from your household may come inside to place a takeaway order. We will be increasing outdoor seating by bringing out picnic tables, however, lunch back at your vehicle will likely be your best plan!
Guests will only be able to enter our lodges for an intended purpose such as picking up a food order, rental equipment, or when accessing restroom facilities. Plan to spend a majority of your time outside in the fresh air - you will no longer be able to bring your own lunch or bags inside the lodges - your vehicle should be used as your home base.
The mandate of face masks, physical distancing, and sanitization continues and we appreciate everyone's cooperation following all Provincial Health Orders. Our Snow Hosts and other staff members will be stationed around the resort to enforce protocols and help you during your visit. If you're unsure of something, please just ask from a distance.
We're so grateful to have had the last 115 days out on snow together this season, and we hope to make it to 122 days safely as planned. Please, do your part to help us get there!
- Face Masks: Mandatory everywhere at the resort from your vehicle to the chairlifts, to the lodges. Your mask should have several layers of fabric and be worn all the way over your nose. Mask up!
- Physical Distancing: Use more than a ski-length to distance yourself from others. Have patience when merging into chairlift lines, wait your turn and pay close attention to your surroundings.
- Alpine Access: Reserve your tickets online before you arrive; tickets may sell out. No reservations for Pass Holders or 6ixPaks. See FAQ's online for more details on specialty and discounted tickets.
- Nordic Access: XC and Snowshoe Trail Passes are purchased in-person at our new outdoor kiosk.
- Rentals & Lessons: Reserve online before you arrive for both alpine and Nordic products.
- Tube Park: Reserve your tubing time online, and allow yourself plenty of time to arrive and collect passes at the Guest Services Kiosk before your snow-sliding fun begins.
Let's work together to be the reason to keep the season.
COVID-19 cases are throughout BC and has been showing up in ski resort towns. Our communities are important. We don't want to see locals in ICU or lose the ski season. We must all do our part to keep everyone healthy and safe. Need to know how? Visit Ski BC Strong below for all the details and how to find support. #SkiBCStrong
Introduction: (0:00) Winter Policies: (0:25) Product Information: (2:14) Season Passes (2:35) Guest Q&A (3:08) Lodge Capacity (3:19) Shuttle Bus: (3:53) Lineups & Chairlifts: (4:36) Day Passes: (4:51) Bear and Deer Lodge: (5:22) Nordic Centre: (5:54) Snow School: (6:20) Eateries: (7:15) Snow: (8:30) Closing Remarks: (8:58)
Introduction: (0:00) Alpine Opening: (0:12) Nordic Opening : (0:18) Plan Ahead & Book Online: (0:30) How To Book Help: (0:45) Parking & Arrival: (2:05) Masks Mandatory: (2:20) Get Ready At Your Car, No Day Lockers: (2:27) Alpine Day Tickets: (2:46) Season Pass & 6ixPak's, Pass Pickup: (2:59) Distancing Lineups & Chairlifts: (3:12) Alpine Lodge Entrances: (3:59) Outdoor Elements: (5:16) Snow Sports Lessons Rentals Entrance: (5:26) Closing Remarks: (6:59)
GUEST HEALTH & SAFETY
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TEAM HEALTH & SAFETY
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LODGES & MOUNTAIN CLEANLINESS
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MANDATORY FACE COVERINGS
PHYSICAL DISTANCING ENFORCED
PASS HOLDER & LIFT ACCESS
It is possible we may need to control the number of skiers, 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 will be communicated on the web site, via email, social media and on the resort app in advance. Pass Holders are strongly encouraged to download the resort app and turn on push notifications for occasional announcements – this is the quickest and most certain way to stay on top of any changes.
DAILY PRE-VISIT ONLINE SCREENING
ALPINE LIFT ACCESS
Reservations are not required for Season Pass Holders or 6ixPak tickets. Things are changing with Alpine Day Tickets, which will be available to book for specific single days only this season and not valid for any day as they were in the past. Lift tickets are available to purchase online in advance only, for the rest of the season. Plan ahead!
- Season Passes can be picked up at the Guest Services Kiosk if you have been contacted by our team about a completed reload on an existing MyMW RFID Card. New Season Passes need to be picked up at the Season Pass Office. Please enter through the lower floor and maintain distance.
- For lift tickets purchased on a new RFID card, your card can be picked up at the Guest Services Kiosk as of opening. Hang on to your new MyMW card for easy reloads online next time, and head straight to the lift.
LINEUPS & RIDING CHAIRLIFTS
- A face covering is mandatory to access the mountain. Please follow guidelines from BC Provincial Health, currently recommending a mask made of at least 3-layers of fabric.
- Guests are encouraged to lineup and load our chairlifts with their household group.
- Single riders can choose to join other parties if both are comfortable, seated at a distance.
LESSONS & PROGRAMS
- Lesson formats will be revised to accommodate either smaller groups and individual self-paced learning options.
- The duration of all lessons will also be modified to allow for a majority 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 smaller class sizes and minimal exposure to larger group settings.
- Unfortunately, we will no be offering childcare/day care services this season.
- Book before you arrive! Day-of prices have increased this season, so planning ahead even saves you money.
Mount Washington Alpine Resort Lesson Booking and Cancellation Policy:
Lesson Cancellation Policy - 2020/21
- All lessons must be paid in full at the time of booking.
- Lessons can be cancelled or rescheduled more than 48 hours in advance. Please call the Snow School at 250-338-1386 ext. 384 or email cancellations@mountwashington.ca.
- There are no refunds or changes allowed within 48 hours of the lesson time unless due to medical issue or illness.
- No refunds will be issued due to weather conditions.
- Guests who are late for their lesson will not be able to join. We will do our best to rebook for later that day.
Snow School Tips
Alpine Rentals Form and Waiver (PDF). The agreement MUST BE PRINTED IN COLOR. Black and White copies will not be accepted.
Winter Bradley Centre Snow School Hours: Located through the chunnel from the Marmot floor of the Alpine Lodge
- December to April
- Sun. - Wed.: 8 am to 4 pm
- Fri. - Sat., & holidays: 8 am to 8 pm (during Night Skiing season, otherwise until 4pm)
Pre-Register for all the listed programs at least 2 days prior to arrival by calling Reservations at 250-338-1386. There is a limit to class sizes and some classes do fill up. Same day "On-Site" registration ends 30 minutes prior to lesson start time and is on a space availability basis.
EQUIPMENT RENTALS
- Rental of clothing equipment (ski pants/jackets) will not be available this season.
- Please plan ahead, and buy your rentals online. Make an appointment for full tuning services and custom boot fitting at the Demo Centre.
PUBLIC SERVICES
Have an intended purpose when entering a building, such as to dine at a restaurant, pick-up your rentals, or to visit the store. Once that purpose is fulfilled, head back outside. There will be no bags left in the lodge, and no loitering longer than 30 minutes. Some experiences you may have came inside for in the past now are exclusively outside - all lessons meet outside, and the Guest Services Ticket Kiosk is the go-to location for all ticket purchases. Plan to use your vehicle as your personal dressing room and be ready to spend most of your time outdoors. We will have some pods of chairs outdoors for you to picnic at with your group, but please be courteous of your time. Need a hand getting around? We will have staff and Snow Hosts present to get you where you need to go!
SLOPESIDE ACCOMMODATIONS
BEAR & DEER LODGE - SLOPESIDE ACCOMMODATIONS
- Staff will complete a prescreening checklist before reporting to each shift and will maintain 6 ft distancing, practice frequent sanitization, as well as the use of PPE when appropriate while working.
- Reservations only accepted, with a two-night minimum on all stays (3 night over Christmas and Family Day).
- All un-registered guests must give contact info to the front desk upon arrival.
- 6ft physical distancing in place for all staff and guests, at all times. PPE such as a mask is required for all Mount Washington staff and guests while in public areas.
- Staff will be regularly sanitizing public areas including the Front Desk and elevators. Signage will be added throughout lodges reminding guests and staff of how to best protect themselves and take precautions to prevent the spread of illness.
- A full deep cleaning of each room will take place after each guest. Professionally laundered (sterilized) sheets, towels, etc. Use of approved disinfectant on all surfaces when cleaning. All room keys thoroughly sanitized when returned.
- All dishware, regardless of if used by previous guests will be run through dishwasher for each new guest.
- Staff will not be permitted to touch guest belongings i.e. assistance with luggage.
- Clean rag to be used for each surface to avoid cross-contamination.
- Rooms will not be cleaned during guest stays; additional supplies can be delivered upon request during staffed hours.
- Maintenance will refrain from entering a unit during occupation, unless a serious maintenance concern – and in that case, will require the guests to depart the suite and advise reception when they are out so that the concern can be addressed. **If maintenance enters an occupied room, masks and gloves will be required.
- Our team has been provided with additional training, cleaning supplies, PPE including masks and gloves, and will stay up to date on most current guidelines for the utmost safety of themselves and guests.
BUS TRANSPORTATION
Bus travel to and from the mountain will be similar to the previous year’s service, aside from additional safety procedures for COVID-19. There also will be no pick-ups in Comox this year, pick-ups will run from Cumberland and Courtenay only as well as from the base parking lot.
Masks are mandatory for all passenger entry. Passengers will be refused to load if not compliant, and loading will be done on a first-come-first-serve basis. There is no priority loading for Season Pass or Bus Season Pass Holders…
Mount Washington Shuttle Bus Protocols for COVID-19
Bus travel to and from the mountain will be similar to the previous year’s service aside from the following procedures for COVID-19.
Staff and guests are to self-test to determine if they are experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19 prior to deciding to use the Shuttle Bus. Staff and guests should not load any Mount Washington Bus or visit the mountain if they feel sick or if they answer yes or refuse to answer any screening questions:
- Do you have any symptoms of COVID-19?
- Are you the subject of a provincial/territorial or local public health order?
- Have you been refused boarding in the past 14 days due to a medical reason related to COVID‐19?
- All riders are required to wear a face-covering when riding the buses. Bus drivers will not be supplying masks or face coverings. No facial covering, no bus riding.
- All riders are required to sanitize hands once they have loaded and unloaded the bus using the supplied hand sanitizer station on the bus.
- The first two front seats will not be available for seating. They will be blocked off to provide adequate spacing and safety for the driver.
- Buses will be disinfected daily using an electro-static sprayer.
- High touchpoints will be disinfected after each run with an approved disinfectant.
- A sticker will be added to your season’s pass showing your proof of purchase, or staff pass, which must be shown when boarding the bus. This Shuttle Bus add-on is available when purchasing your Season Pass.
- Once capacity has been reached, passengers will be passed by until space becomes available.
- You must stay seated during the entire time you are on bus. No switching seats.
- Dress appropriately. Some windows will remain open to allow for air movement.
There will be no pick-ups in the town of Comox this year. Pick-ups from Cumberland and Courtenay only as well as from the base parking lot.
Passenger loading will be first come first serve. Guests not compliant with protocols will be refused entry. There is no priority loading for Season Pass or Bus season pass holders. Guest’s will not be permitted on the early morning Staff only shuttles.
MEDICALLY EXEMPT GUESTS
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CODE
Five Questions to ask yourself before proceeding with your to visit Mt. Washington this winter:
1. Have I been in contact with anyone who is required to self-isolate, or am I required to self-isolate? 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 or have I been in contact 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.
Winter 2020-2021 FAQs
Q. How can I be guaranteed lift access for the day I want to ski?
A) Alpine Tickets are now available to reserve online for the rest of the season and may sell out on holidays and weekends. We will not have full-day tickets to buy here at the resort, and half-days and specialty tickets will only be available at a kiosk if full-days have not already sold out. Reserve your days in advance, online. 6ixPak tickets do not require reservations. This doesn't include pre-arranged tickets such as 2-for-1 Passes from VIB, or non-date specific tickets. Purchase Your Tickets & Learn More ->
Q. I've booked a day to ski, but I couldn't make it, or need to reschedule for a later date:
A. If you need to cancel your reserved lift tickets, please call us or fill out a Contact Form to change to a day later in the season, but a specific visit date is required and ticket price must be brought up to that requested current day's rate if different. This can't be done online. Your patience is appreciated in hearing back from our team.
Q. Buying a New Card and want to Reload for Next Time? Need Tickets for Multiple Days?
A. You need to have your physical RFID card in-hand to reload tickets. Reserve your day on a new card, and pick up the card the morning you've planned to ski. If buying tickets for multiple days, reserve for one-day first and pick up your new card first. Then once you have the card, go ahead and reload more days online.
Q. Does my lesson or rental include a lift ticket?
A. No, you need to purchase your Alpine Lift Ticket separately from lessons and rentals.
Q. How can I buy tickets for Night Skiing?
A. Reload or purchase a new card online. Night Ski tickets will also be available at the kiosk, but it is encouraged to buy in advance before you arrive.
Q. What about discounted tickets such as Student, Military, Buddy Passes, etc.?
A. Discounted tickets are only available in-person at a ticket kiosk if full-day tickets have not yet sold out online. We appreciate your understanding.
Q. What is needed for Tots 6 & under?
A. Tots ski free, but please ensure you have tickets arranged for yourself before you arrive on busy weekends and holidays. Visit a ticket kiosk to get your Tots free ticket/waiver.
