With the advent of COVID-19 across the United States, there are going to some changes to the ski experience on Vail Mountain and in the Town of Vail. Below are a couple ways that Vail Resorts and the Town of Vail are keeping tourists and locals healthy during the upcoming ski season
- Mandatory Mask Zone in Lionshead and Vail Village: Outdoor and Indoor
The Town of Vail has implemented an outdoor mask mandate – which applies in all of the shaded areas below. This means that a mask is required outdoors – regardless of social distancing. This mandate was passed by the Town Council and goes into effect November 7th. Informational signs have been installed at the boundaries of the mask required zones. This executive order was made in order to decrease the local and statewide spread of COVID-19 in the community.
This mandatory mask mandate is in addition to the already instituted mandatory mask wearing in all indoor spaces – per the county public health order. Not surprisingly, Vail is not the only mountain community to institute a
mandatory mask zone in its pedestrian areas. Breckenridge and Aspen have implemented similar zones as well.
2) Safety Protocols Instituted by Vail Resorts
- Mask Use for Guests: Vail resorts requires guests to wear masks while waiting in line at the chairlifts/gondolas, while riding the chairlifts/gondolas, inside all on-mountain buildings, during ski/snowboard lessons, and whenever social distancing cannot be maintained.
- Masks and Screenings Required for Employees: All employees are required to wear masks and will undergo daily health screenings.
- Plexiglass Barriers: Plexiglass barriers have been installed at points of purchase in the resort. All transactions will be cashless – for lifts, mountain activities, on-mountain dining, and at Vail Resorts lodging.
- Chairlift Capacity Decreased: Skiers/boarders will only be allowed to sit with members of their party.
- Limiting Number of Guests in Areas: Employees will be decreasing the number of guests in resort areas to promote social distancing.
Enhanced Cleaning and Sanitization: High touch surfaces will be cleaned with EPA-approved cleaning products to kill the COVID-19 virus. Gondola cabins will be cleaned daily and public restrooms will be cleaned frequently. There will also be sanitizing stations throughout the resort.
3) Installation of Synexis BioDefense Systems in Public Facilities and Buses
Town of Vail: https://www.vailgov.com/announcements/town-of-vail-pioneers-municipal-wide-installation-of-synexis160biodefense-system
Synexis: https://synexis.com/
