Schweitzer resumes limited opening
Bonner County Daily Bee | UPDATED 5 years AGO
Schweitzer Mountain Resort announced on Friday that it will be running the Basin Express and Musical Chairs chairlifts for daily operations. More lifts and terrain will be added when conditions allow.
(Photo courtesy SCHWEITZER MOUNTAIN RESORT)
SANDPOINT — Schweitzer Mountain Resort announced on Friday that it is reopening the slopes to downhill skiers and snowboarders.
The resort said it is opening the Basin Express and Muscial Chairs chairlifts, in addition to the Musical Carpet surface lift, for daily operations.
"We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving - now it's time to ski!" the resort said in a post to its Facebook page.
Due to limited terrain and lift operations, the resort is only allowing season pass holders and registered lodging guests at this time. Schweitzer hopes to add day lift ticket sales starting on Monday, Nov. 30.
Guests are being advised that they will be funneled through a controlled access point near the clock tower to ensure facial coverings are being worn as they make their way to the lifts. Facial coverings are required in all of the resort's indoor areas and while people are waiting in lift lines.
The resort hopes to add more terrain and lifts once conditions allow. It is also recommending that skiers and snowboarders be mindful that early-season conditions exist and to remain on groomed trails until more snow falls on the resort.
The resort reported 27 inches at upper elevations and 19 inches in mid-mountain areas. At lower elevations, there is 20 inches, the resort reported on Friday.
Schweitzer President and CEO Tom Chasse said he conducted research prior to opening day on Nov. 21, which suggested as many as 800 season pass holders would turn up. Instead, approximately 1,600 people showed up.
"We saw about a 20 percent decrease on Sunday," Chasse said on Friday.
The bigger-than-expected crowd presented challenges to maintaining social distancing.
The resort added structured lift lines with "ghost lanes" in an effort to provide lateral social distancing.
"Our strategy surrounding lift operations also compounded the situation. Our plan was to eliminate the singles line so as to not merge unrelated groups together. This meant that singles and doubles could ride alone, but it ended up creating longer lift lines," Chasse said in a post to the resort's social media.
In some cases, single riders tried to join in with unrelated groups, Chasse added.
"On Sunday, we implemented some changes and doubled the length of the waiting area in an effort to extend the safe zone. The combination of our extension to the structured lines and a smaller number of pass holders, made for a somewhat better environment in the lift line," said Chasse.