The 10/21 CCSAA Round Table Zoom Call was centered around a Community Forum specifically keying in on Tickets, Rentals and Retail in the COVID world.
Please remember that his is a very fluid situation and that we are discussing solutions for the situation we believe we will be in as winter nears.
We understand that every Nordic center presents its own set of parameters and limitations, and that there will not be a one solution that fits all Nordic centers. We also are concerned with any reduction of capacity and are looking at how to create new systems that do not rely on cutting our existing skier capacity or any revenue stream.
Call Audio:
Below are simple take a ways from the call:
Panelists
- Sally Jones – Nordic Director, Tahoe Donner Cross Country, CA
- Lauren Stagnitti – Outdoor Center Manager, Trapp Family Lodge, VT
- Ellen Chandler – Jackson XC. NH
- Gareth Houben– President, Harwood Ski & Bike, Ontario
- Pierre Vezina – Nordic Director, Mont St Anne, Quebec
- Richard Hodges – Nordic Director, White Pine, UT
- Matt Sabasteanski – Outdoor Center Director, Pineland Farms, ME
- Sheldon Millar – Marketing Manager, Craftsbury Outdoor Center, VT
This call was a discussion that touched on many ideas covering both the US and Canada. Notes from the panel discussions follows and take the format of a running list of ideas, please listen to the audio of more context.:
- Most ski area are installing plexiglass sneeze guards
- Several are looking a new ventilation systems, samples are:
- Rental shop – separating snowshoe and ski rentals into different areas
- Move ski and pole rentals outside, either daily or create a locked space for them. Possible shipping container.
- Greater use of ambassadors to answer questions and direct people to specific locations for what they are looking for
- QR Codes for tickets so purchasers do not need to go inside
- Note that many ski areas need to sell tickets inside to get the buyer into the retail shop so as not to kill that business
- Several are considering online rentals
- Some are adding a tent or patio for guests to shelter in/on
- Many are increasing the number of fire pits, they create heat and ambiance
- 2 Canadian areas are or considering selling day tickets as you enter the parking lot. Some US areas are considering this also
- Many are not allowing bags inside. Shoes will be stored in your vehicle
- Some either have or considering an outdoor food service, food truck, outdoor window, converted trailer
- Adding more picnic tables and
- Some are considering one way trails, some already have them, some are not considering one way trails
- Kids programs will exist, but they will be shorter in length and with no breaks
- Some are considering a door controller to maintain low numbers inside
- Some are considering stand alone bathrooms outside
- Some are expanding parking and creating different trailheads to spread out people
People were asking for the Dome link that Pineland Farms is trying, it is: https://gardenigloousa.com/
