2020 may be over, but the pandemic isn’t. That’s why today, in addition to a fun, pandemic-inspired giveaway from WinterWomen.com, we’re taking a look at skiing’s new norms and offering several pandemic pro tips for navigating your favorite resort.
Skiing’s New Norms: Food and Water
Snowsports are a perfect excuse to get outdoors and enjoy winter — whether you’re downhill or nordic skiing — and resorts and ski towns are making many adjustments to address health and safety concerns.
(Tips and tricks to help beginning cross-country skiers, right here)
For example, most resorts are limiting indoor capacity and creating more outdoor space for their guests. Some, like Aspen Snowmass, have even temporarily closed indoor, on-mountain dining.
Pandemic Pro Tip: Bring your own snacks, lunch and water.
We want our resorts to stay in business and be profitable, so we’ve purchased food and beverages on sunny days when it’s comfortable eating outside and crowds are light.
But on busy days, the idea of ordering and jockeying for a table — even with expanded outdoor seating — feels daunting. So we’ve also been packing food into our pockets.
Veggie burritos continue to be our staple, although anything in a tortilla — pb&j, quesadillas, ham and cheese — works well.
Also, winter camelbacks or collapsible water bottles are essential this year for staying hydrated, with some resorts having shut off their drinking fountains.
Lift Tickets, Rentals, and Other Services
Resorts have also had to change the way they handle everything from ticket sales to equipment rentals. Most resorts require advance lift ticket reservations and online-only purchases of lessons. Some require skiing reservations, while others like Copper Mountain, require parking reservations.
Most lodges are closed, with the exception of limited areas for warming and restrooms, often with limitations on how many people can be indoors at one time.
Pandemic Pro Tip: Check the website before you plan a trip to the mountain.
While there are many similarities, each resort is different. Make phone calls if the website is unclear. It’s best to be prepared, plus you don’t want to be disappointed and get turned away for any reason.
Car as Ski Lodge
Since most lodges are off limits, being organized is more important than ever.
As you know, we’re big proponents of ski boot bags and backpacks, especially those large enough to carry additional clothing and gear. They are essential for staying organized, in our opinion.
But sometimes, when you’re bringing lunch for a family (for example) or planning a post-ski picnic, you need more space.
Enter below to win today’s giveaway item: The Burton Multipath 27L Travel Backpack in Black.
Today’s giveaway pack is not a ski boot bag. Instead, it’s a travel pack, that will serve you well on your next flight or weekend getaway, post-pandemic.
In the meantime, this pack (graciously donated by WinterWomen.com), is a good multi-purpose wonder sufficient to hold lunches, changes of clothes, and other items you need while using your car as a ski lodge. It’s a smart complement to your family ski bags.
Pandemic Pro Tip: Create a picnic lunch or après-ski bag and keep it stocked and ready for winter fun.
Lynn Sparkman, our wonderful friend at WinterWomen.com, came up with this giveaway idea and it’s a smart one.
“One of the best things about a day on the slopes is après-ski,” shares Lynn. “It looks different now, so this is where good old tailgating becomes the next best thing.”
Sparkman recommends using a pack — like this one — that is easy to organize. Pre-pack essentials, including sack lunches, silverware, plates, cups, napkins, water bottles, a small speaker for music, and extra clothes to stay warm.
“Toss in some camping chairs, and hopefully the weather is perfect for a nice winter tailgate picnic,” adds Sparkman.
Skiing’s New Norms: Chairlifts and Gondolas
Even though they’re outside — and therefore less risky than anything indoors — it’s still important to social distance on chairlifts and gondolas.
Try stay 6′ apart in lift lines. Most ski resorts have created spacing lanes that make this easy. Still, be aware and don’t crowd others.
Additionally, ride a lift or gondola only with your family or those who drove with you to the resort. Ski areas have signage making this policy clear, with lift line attendants enforcing it.
Still, despite the clear guidance, we’ve been surprised to find found resorts that are ignoring this rule and filling chairs with strangers or singles.
Pandemic Pro Tip: If you don’t want to share a lift with strangers, just politely say no. Your wishes will be respected.
Also, avoid making eye contact with those in the singles line. I know, that sounds silly, but it works.
Masks Up, Please
Last week at Snowmass, we saw signs that said “Cover your nose, or Snowmass will close.” It’s true, remember last March? So cover up your nose, not just your mouth and make sure you’re not wearing a traditional ski mask with an open nose or mouth holes.
And while you don’t have to ski with your mask on, make sure you pull it all the way up prior to getting in line or going anywhere in public at the resort. Do your part to keep ski resorts open, please!
Pandemic Pro Tip: After much trial and error, I’ve discovered the best combo for me is a fleece-lined buff or neck gaiter tucked all the way up under my goggles.
The thicker material offers more protection, while having it under my goggles eliminates fogging. I wear this on the mountain and then switch to a mask that I keep in my pocket when I go to the bathroom or in any other public spaces and don’t want to get too hot.
Lynn Sparkman has one more gear tip for us — an integrated goggle/mask system.
“Anon makes goggles with a face mask that is connected to your goggles by tiny magnets. They make wearing a mask super easy,” she explains.
The integrated system is available for both women and men.
What Pro Tips have you discovered this winter? Please share!
Burton Multipath 27 L Backpack in BlackThank you to Lynn Sparkman and WinterWomen.com for providing this giveaway and for help writing the post! As always, all opinions are my own and are exactly what I would tell my family and friends.
© 2021, braveskimom. All rights reserved. Any use or publication of content, including photos, requires express permission.
Misty G. says
We have definitely been changing the way we get ready and have lunch, all at the car. This pack would be great to keep organized..Thanks for the giveaway
braveskimom says
You are welcome! I suspect some changes will stick with us, and having a good travel backpack is always good! Thanks and happy skiing!
Kelly Coffey says
Always fabulous advice!
braveskimom says
Awe, thank you! Good luck!
johnny aloha says
Appreciate the sage advice.
braveskimom says
Appreciate you leaving a comment and entering! Good luck!
Gretchen Lee says
I live the Car as Lodge comments. In SoCal this I’m not a new idea. These suggestions are great! Always need new ideas to make a day on the slopes better.
braveskimom says
Thanks Gretchen! It is so good to see your name — it’s been a while! Hope you and your family are enjoying winter — safe and healthy!
Emmy says
We have also used our car as a lodge this year. Extra water, packed lunches and snacks have been super important.
braveskimom says
Water always tops my list! I had no idea how much I depend upon drinking fountains to fill collapsible bottles or to simply drink, until they were closed! Hydration is so important and helps keep us warm, too!
CO_MtnMom Tami says
We’ve been skiing a few times this year, and I thought I had my pandemic ski act together… but I just picked up some additional, excellent tips. Thank you! You’re the best around, girl!!
I just added a link to this article in one of my recent posts on skiing. No one should miss out on your expert advice. 🙂
Hope you are doing great!
braveskimom says
Thank you Tami! I really appreciate you sharing the link! Hope all is well with you and the family! Loved your recent photo from Powderhorn!
freese75 says
My husband and older boys are skiiers (the little one is 11 months). With so many restaurants closed (and the prices), it’s been our habit to pack lunches/snacks for their ski day. Thanks for a great blog! What a great giveaway.
braveskimom says
You are welcome! Thanks for reading!
Kimberly Benn says
I have not been skiing with my boys as much this year with all the changes!!! I need to adapt I know but its a lot more work, but planning a family trip in Feb and I will get my runs in then, they don’t want to hang with me much anymore anyways lol
braveskimom says
I promise that someday your boys will come around and appreciate their brave ski mom!
Laura Dreher says
We’re glad we made the decision to ski again a smaller resort this year – with kids under 10 it’s nice to be able to walk to the car for snacks or lunch.
Kim Goulding says
I have to admit that this is the way I have been skiing for years. I like the warmth and anonymity of having my face covered (I wear mirrored goggles as well). The chalets are always packed and with thefts on the rise, I have been changing and leaving my belongings in my car since I stopped renting a season long locker in 2015. While I do miss the random chair lift conversation with people who don’t want to wait in line, the solitude does give me time to reflect on the previous run, and how to improve on the next.