In the best of times, skiing can be a risky sport. Between icy moguls, tree wells, avalanches, and terrain parks, there are plenty of ways to get hurt on the mountain. That said, the act of skiing down the hill itself is
not one of the higher-risk activities when it comes to exposure to coronavirus. It takes place outdoors, it’s mostly solitary, and you’re often wearing a face mask and goggles anyway.
The part of skiing that
health experts have expressed concern about is the other stuff you do throughout the day—riding chairlifts, waiting in lift lines, sitting on shuttle buses, eating in lodges, drinking at bars, congregating in the parking lot. These are the types of things that can pose a risk of exposure to the coronavirus when you’re at the ski resort.
In response to these potential hazards, each ski resort has come up with its own set of COVID-19 protocols. Many are similar to measures you’ve probably already grown accustomed to—things like mask requirements, 6-foot rules, and hand sanitizer stations. Some ski areas are limiting numbers on the mountain with reservation systems and online booking platforms. Employee health screenings have been ramped up and disinfection procedures have been put into place. Many ski areas are encouraging guests to plan trips with family only and not ski with people outside their group.