Alyeska will open ski slopes this season with pandemic precautions in place

Alyeska Resort in Girdwood is set to open its slopes and lifts this season with a plan that includes health precautions like mandatory face coverings, Alaska Public Media reported.

Alyeska cut the last ski and snowboard season short because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“No mask, no service here at Alyeska Resort,” marketing director Ben Napolitano said. “That includes all public spaces, that includes lift lines, and that includes being inside the aerial tramway as well.”

Skiers will be allowed to temporarily remove face coverings only while moving down slopes, Napolitano said.

Customers will no longer be allowed to get close to strangers on chairlifts or while using the resort’s tram system. Lines to board the lifts and tram will be configured to encourage social distancing.

“Inside the tram we’ll have a reduced capacity per tram car, as well as sanitizing between rides,” Napolitano said. “And for the quad chairlifts, we will be loading them as twos, unless the group is a family and have arrived together.”

Reservations will be required for equipment rentals and the gear will be sanitized daily.

Alyeska’s day lodge will be closed this winter and the resort plans to limit cash transactions.

The resort’s opening day will depend upon snow conditions.