As of today, Aug 12 2020, you’ll no doubt be aware that with 4 new Covid cases Auckland has moved to Level 3, and the rest of the country to Level 2. That means ski areas have to implement new protocols, here’s a quick rundown of the key strategies that larger areas are implementing.
But, under Level 2, there’s a few key things we’re all asked to do anyway …
- If you’re sick, stay home.
- Practise 2m physical distancing from people you don't know and 1m distancing from people you do know
- Wash your hands frequently
- Cough/sneeze into your elbow
- Keep a track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen, ideally using the Covid Tracer App
- Wear a face covering if you can.
- More info from the Covid 19 site
On the ski areas, this in general translates to ...
- The mountains will be limiting capacity, if you can ski mid-week, please try to, it will be a better experience
- Physical distancing means numbers are limited, specifically in cafes. There may be queues. Consider taking your own lunch, and eating in your car
- Try to ski in a bubble of your friends and family. Keep at least 1m away from those not in your bubble.
- Patience will be required, while ski areas adapt to this new challenge
Mt Ruapehu
- They need to cap the maximum numbers at both ski areas at any one time to ensure the safety of our guests and staff.
- Bookable parking will now cover 7 days a week from 6pm Wednesday 12th August
- 50% of spaces will then be released each Wednesday at 10am and 50% at 6pm for the following 7 days.
- Buy online in advance – Buy your tickets online and in advance and use your QR code at the Click and Collect terminals on mountain to redeem.
Mt Hutt
- All guests visiting will require a pass for contact tracing purposes,
- At level 2 they may need to limit capacity on the mountain to ensure they can responsibly manage physical distancing
- Car parking will be restricted to the base lodge parks only
- There will be space for 550 multiple occupancy vehicles and 50 single occupancy and they will not operate shuttles
- Your car is your lodge. If you are bringing your own lunch to the mountain, please eat at your car
- They are asking guests to ski in bubbles. When riding lifts you will need to maintain 2 empty seats between bubbles
- More info, https://www.mthutt.co.nz/news/covid-19
Cardrona/Treble Cone
- Every Cardrona/Treble Cone visitor must have an RFID lift pass, you must have updated your MyCard profile and it must have your contact details
- Indoor cafe/restaurant spaces will be limited to 100 dining guests at a time
- No bag storage in cafe areas during Level 2
- Ski from your car – use it for shelter, to rest and have a picnic... just like the old days!
- 1m distancing in lift queues, no distancing for the same household/family (bubble)
- More info, https://www.cardrona.com/content-hub/news/covid-19-level-2-update/
Coronet Peak/ The Remarkables
- They may need to manage capacity on the mountain to responsibly manage physical distancing.
- At The Remarkables this means they will reach capacity when car park 4 is partially full, At Coronet Peak this means they will reach capacity when car park 5 is full.
- They will be limiting numbers on chairlifts to manage physical distancing
- They wil be operating “Zones” on the mountain, red means confined areas less that 100 people (cafes etc), orange (retail etc) means controlled areas requiring 1m distancing and tracing, grean are uncontrolled areas.
- Everyone visiting needs to have a MyPass card
- Treat your car as your base lodge, please leave your bags and picnics in them.
- In lift queues you must maintain 1x metre distance between you and anyone you don’t know. Remember tip to tail!
- There will be a limited F&B offering, so you’re encouraged to bring your own snacks to fuel your riding!
- More info https://www.theremarkables.co.nz/news/covid-19 And https://www.coronetpeak.co.nz/news/covid-19/