Will ski resorts reopen? Here’s Bluewood’s COVID safety plan

With 100-degree scorchers in the forecast this coming weekend, some boarders and skiers may be counting down the days until they can hit the slopes.

Officials at Ski Bluewood near Dayton are ready too, especially since they were forced to abruptly close in mid-March when the coronavirus pandemic hit.

They’ve been busy all summer planning several scenarios for the upcoming winter, and are optimistic they can operate a normal schedule without disruption, said General Manager Kim Clark

But in order for anything to work in the current COVID-19 environment, it is going to require “a community effort to keep us going,” said Clark. “We are anticipating several significant changes in the way we operate, including mandatory face coverings in all of our indoor spaces.”

On Monday evening, Clark announced what the ski area has in the works in “an effort to provide full disclosure and transparency.”

Ski Bluewood is in Columbia County, which is in Phase 3 of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Safe Start plan. In that phase, recreational facilities are only allowed at 25 percent capacity or less and outdoor group recreational activities must be limited to 50 or fewer people.

Of course, much can change in the next few months before snow starts blanketing the mountain.

“Changes are in the works for how we will be able to provide the best experience for you, our guests, both on the slopes and in the base area this winter with the number one concern being the health and well-being of you and our incredible staff,” wrote Clark.

Ski Bluewood is getting a new Point of Sale system that will expand the ability for customers to reserve and pay for tickets, rentals and lessons all online. That will be part of a new website launching in early November.

Additionally, the ski area may have to put limits on day-of ticket sales, the number of guests allowed in the lodge at any given time, and people on chair lifts and in queuing lines in order to meet social distancing standards.

Clark said he does not expect any limits on season passholder visits — or mid-week visits by any guest — and is confident the ski area can accommodate its passholders safely on the mountain.

But, just in case passholders decide they are not comfortable skiing or riding during the 2020-21 season for any reason, Ski Bluewood is giving them until Dec. 15 to roll their purchase over to the 2021-22 season at no charge.

Clark said that Ski Bluewood will continue to keep people updated as things progress.

“We know there are many areas of our operation that may require changes to accommodate for the health and safety precautions needed to stay open — rentals, retail, food & beverage, lessons, lockers, bathrooms ... the list goes on,” Clark wrote in his announcement.

“We genuinely care about the health and safety of our Bluewood family and the community. Our commitment to safety continues as we learn to navigate our business operations during a pandemic,” he added. “As a business leader we are prepared for and willing to respond to the recommendations of federal, state and local public health authorities.”

Clark said Ski Bluewood wants to provide winter recreational opportunities that people know and love, “but we’ll need your support and cooperation as we adapt.”

He signed off saying: “Ski well. Be well. Please commit to working with us to keep Bluewood open. Don’t be the reason we lose our season.”