Pats Peak Ski Area Announces Covid-19 Policies And Procedures For The 2020-2021 Season

PATS PEAK announces some of their COVID-19 policies and procedures for the 2020-2021 season. This season marks the 58th consecutive ski and snowboard season under the same family ownership. Generations have called Pats Peak home and carry on the tradition to this day. 

The health and safety of their guests, staff and community are a priority and everyone must work together to act responsibly to help stop the spread of COVID-19. At Pats Peak there are new protocols and procedures that follow the guidelines from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health officials.  They are committed to following state and local health orders, and will continuously adjust operations and safety protocols to protect staff and guests.

When visiting a public space risk of being exposed to COVID-19 does exist. Understanding that no reasonable efforts can entirely wipe out possibilities of a virus being transmitted, Pats Peak remains committed to taking every step to help protect the safety of their staff and guests. The health of their staff is being diligently monitored and remains a priority in our daily operations. Health and safety policies may be revised at any time.

“There are no doubt it’s a different time. We have been working hard to come up with new ways to keep our guests and employees safer during these times. We are concentrating on ways to keep guests outside of the lodge for eating with the ability to order food right from their smartphone for pick up at our outdoor to-go window along with lots more outdoor seating options with heaters and wind blocks. We will also have a food truck option. We think having outdoor heated bathrooms at the base of a couple of the lifts will help keep people out of the lodge and out skiing and snowboarding,” commented General Manager, Kris Blomback.

“We will also have to limit our number of lift tickets available for sale each day to minimize the number of people at the mountain,” continued Blomback.

With all ticket and product purchases having to be made online this season, guests will need to plan ahead to purchase in advance. Lift tickets and packages will be available for full day from 8:30am-4pm; afternoon from 12:30pm-4pm; twilight from 12:30pm-Close; and night from 4pm-Close. A schedule of lift operations can be found online at patspeak.com. Currently, Pats Peak Season Pass Holders will not have to make a reservation to ski and ride. All season pass holders can go directly to lift, if valid. 

Ways to make the winter experience better and safer at Pats Peak

• Face coverings must be worn by all staff and guests when at Pats Peak, except when eating or drinking.
• All lift tickets, packages and lessons will need to be purchased online, in advance on our website.
• When in the Rental Shop to pick up equipment, guests must practice six foot physical distancing while in the building along with capacity restrictions. Equipment will be disinfected in between uses.
• Capacity of lifts will be reduced to allow for physical distancing. Guests will ride the lifts with travelers in their party. Face coverings are required in the load area and riding the lift.
• On the mountain, the outdoor setting makes physical distancing easy, but in the base area and other locations where it is more difficult to do so, they will have signage to remind guests wear face coverings and remain six feet apart. This includes in lines, when loading and unloading chairlifts and in indoor resort facilities.
• Plexiglass barriers will be installed in areas where physical distancing measures are not possible, including at points of purchase.
• The number of guests in some areas may be reduced at times to ensure proper physical distancing.
• There will be limited indoor space for seating. The layout of the lodge has been reimagined and close to 50% of the furniture has been removed to allow for more space in the lodge.

o    Lodge space is not guaranteed.

o    Lodge time will be limited to 30 minutes or less at one time.

o    Use your car as a personal base lodge.

•  With the limited indoor space for seating, 30 plus new tables will be added to the outdoor seating area including additional heaters and wind blocks to make the outdoor experience more enjoyable.
• Cafeteria food will be able to be ordered from a smartphone and picked up from "Guy’s To-Go-Go" outdoor window.
• There will be limited seating in the Sled Pub for dining guests only.
• There will be a food truck with taco food options.
• Cashless transactions are preferred at all locations.
• There will be outdoor heated bathroom facilities at the base of the lifts for those that want to avoid visiting the lodge.
• For group lessons, there will be smaller class sizes.
• Enhanced Cleaning and Sanitization:

o    High-touch surfaces will be frequently cleaned and disinfected.

o    Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting will take place frequently throughout the day in the public restrooms.

o    Hand sanitizing stations will be provided. Frequent handwashing is required of employees.

The Health and Safety page on their website has more specific and the most up-to-date information: patspeak.com/healthandsafety