Introduction

November signals the beginning of snowboard and ski seasons for the majority of slopes in the US. Travelers in their droves go to the mountains each winter looking to get fresh powder.

But this year, things aren’t so certain. With cases of coronavirus surging, would-be snowboarders and skiers may find that it’s a bit harder to go out skiing. And although the guidelines for curbing the pandemic may differ from one state to the other, one that cuts across all places is the need to wear face masks. Fortunately, a special breathable face mask has been designed to enable you to ski as comfortably as possible.

And with decent face covers for snowboarding, your skiing experience will not be affected in the least bit. Here are some recommendations for successful ski trip planning.

 

Plan Your Ski Trip in Advance

The best tip for people who are planning to visit the slopes in November, apart from getting the best breathable face mask, is to plan, considering that most resorts will require reservations given the restrictions that are currently in place. Check the website of the ski resort you intend to visit and see whether it has restrictions or not. This way, you can purchase the tickets knowing that there will not be any problems.

Also, most resorts have today moved to a reservation system when it comes to equipment renting. This means that if you don’t have gear, you need to hire ahead of time and also make sure that you reserve lift tickets well in advance. The same also happens with your face covers for snowboarding. Buy lots of them ahead of your trip just to be on the safe side.

 

Select a lower-risk skiing destination

The most effective way to beat COVID-19 is to stay at home during the upcoming winter. But if you must hit the slopes, then you must choose a destination with a lower risk of coronavirus spread.

The pandemic will be up and down in different parts of the county. The general rule of thumb is to always look at the disease rates. Focus on your local area and the ski resort town you want to visit.

Note that mountain destinations that have small populations throughout the year are especially susceptible to breakouts.

With the increasing caseloads of COVID-19 across the country, there is always some level of anxiety about inviting folks all over the world to a local resort town with mostly limited resources.

If you suspect that you may have a coronavirus infection, you should cancel that skiing trip. This not only contains the spread of the virus but also prevents you from becoming sick in a high-altitude area.

This is sure to exacerbate your underlying infections. Also, wear a breathable face mask when skiing to avoid contracting coronavirus.

 

Avoid crowds

It’s easy to think that because you are off to a remote location, you don’t need to follow COVID-19 protocols. But when you are around other people, the last thing you should do is to lower the guard. Always wear a face mask and remember to stock up on face covers for snowboarding.

In case you don’t have your own skiing gear, plan to know that there will be crowds. You have the option of renting your gear at a smaller shop. Another alternative is to get your gear well in advance so you avoid getting stuck in a massive queue.

Some resorts offer on-mountain dining. But the staff will most likely be controlling crowd flow and capacity in their restaurants. Don’t be surprised when bars only offer takeaway drinks in a bid to encourage travelers to keep social distance.

 

Consider Space when booking accommodations

Instead of staying at a hotel, you may want to opt for an Airbnb or condo. This can reduce the contact between you and other travelers and also let you make your own meals. It allows you to bring your own food and make it instead of venturing out to the restaurant to eat.

Experts recommend that guests drive to get their groceries and plan to eat where they are staying. It would be great if everyone would plan not to have their après ski at the restaurant.

In case you are traveling with people that aren’t necessarily from your household, it is recommended to stay in different places and spend time only outdoors.

 

Get lift tickets in advance

The snowboard and ski industry has been preparing for the upcoming season factoring coronavirus. And one significant change is the process of ticketing. As a result, many ski resorts have started demanding prior reservations to enable them to manage crowd sizes better.

It’s not uncommon to find resorts online that are selling day tickets only in advance online. Also, don’t be surprised to find that some resorts are offering limited parking capacity to restrict the number of guests.

The best thing is to plan your ski trip in advance and make sure to check the ski resort you plan to travel to. Ensure that you understand all their ticket process and their charges.

 

Traveling to the Ski Resort and Fro

Choose between air travel and renting or driving a car to the ski resort of your choice. If possible, drive to your destination in your car with the people from your household only. It is the best option for transportation.

And if you decide to fly, always choose shorter direct flights as opposed to longer flights. And while you are both at the airport and the train, make sure you always wear a mask. Also, remember to carry a breathable face mask with you.

Another tip is to ditch the shuttle bus for driving directly to the parking area of the mountain in your own car.

 

Conclusion

Skiing is a low-risk and quarantine-free activity in the US. This makes it one of the few activities that you can take advantage of during this pandemic. But given the rate at which infections are rising throughout the country, you may notice that tighter restrictions are being implemented during the holidays. My advice to you is to remain patient and calm and be ready to adapt to the changes that have become the new normal. Also, never go on a ski trip without high-quality face covers for snowboarding.