New Hampshire releases COVID guidelines for upcoming ski season

Gondolas, like Loon's, will have COVID-19 restrictions this winter in New Hampshire. (Loon Mountain)

The guidelines for skiing this winter in the Granite State amidst the COVID-19 pandemic are about what you would expect. 

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu’s economic reopening task force released its guidance plan for the state’s ski areas last week, including guidance to wear face coverings inside buildings (except when eating or drinking), in lift lines and mazes as well as when loading, riding, and unloading from lifts, and in other places where six feet of physical distancing cannot be achieved.

Among some of the other guidelines: 

—Resorts will implement enhanced cleaning regimens. 

— Chairlift rides will only group families and those who have traveled together. 

— Ski areas will shift to more online ticket sales to avoid lines and in-person transactions at ticket windows. 

— Enclosed cabin lifts (e.g. gondolas) with a maximum of four passengers will not have a singles line; shall keep their windows open, and shall only carry family members, related parties and cohorts

That last guideline seems to suggest that the Cannon tramway will be out of commission for the immediate future.

“We’re all looking forward to this ski season. It’s almost as if we have some unfinished business after having our season come to an abrupt end in mid-March,” said Jessyca Keeler, Ski New Hampshire president. “That said, the key to opening and staying open this year will be for ski areas to do their part, and guests to do theirs.  It’s up to all of us to observe and respect the new protocols being put in place that are designed to keep staff and guests safe and healthy.”

The safeguarding guidance also require “alcohol-based hand sanitizer must be made readily available and must be placed throughout the ski area, including on entry, in key walkways, in food and beverage locations, in shops, at checkout locations, and at exits. Hand sanitizer must also be provided in non-public settings such as maintenance areas, workshops, offices, and break areas.” 

“These guidelines will help our guests to have the confidence to get out to ski and ride,” said Tom Day, Gunstock Mountain Resort president and general manager. “Now’s the time to get pumped for the ski season—the rest is up to Mother Nature.”

You can read the entire reopening guidance document here.