Popular North Shore ski resort operating below 50% capacity per pandemic orders

NORTH VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — It’s still okay to ski or snowboard at North Vancouver’s Grouse Mountain, but you can’t just show up and expect to hop on a chair lift.

Public safety orders in place to help stop the spread of COVID-19 mean skiers and snowboarders have to make a reservation and book a time slot to hit the slopes.

The resort’s Director of Communications, Julia Grant, says daily capacity is limited to less than 50 per cent including the Skyride gondola transporting customers up the hill.

.@grousemountain is operating at lower than 50% capacity during #COVID19, so you can't hit the slopes without FIRST making a reservation.
Because covering your face from the cold is standard behaviour, resort staff report most people on the hill have been "respectful". @NEWS1130

— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) December 2, 2020

“We have designated standing areas marked out on the floor and we’ve also been maintaining the windows open during the travel and that helps fresh air circulate throughout the Skyride, so if we’ve reduced our reservations below 50 per cent capacity on the Skyride, that limits the number of people that can be on the mountain at one time.”

Grant adds the Skyride normally holds up to 100 people, so physical distancing hasn’t been an issue.

“We have implemented advance Skyride reservations and also, at the resort, face coverings are required throughout. That includes while on the Skyride, while waiting in chair-lift lines and riding chair-lifts and also inside all our facilities. We have hand sanitizer stations available throughout the resort.”

Asked if there have been any issues with people violating mandatory mask rules, Grant points out face coverings were standard before the pandemic.

Re: Sky Ride use, @grousemountain‘s Julia Grant tells @NEWS1130 they have marked designated standing areas on the floor, are keeping windows open to help fresh air circulate and numbers are also capped at lower than 50% of usual capacity which is up to 100 people. #COVID19

— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) December 2, 2020

“It’s a learning curve for everyone and everyone’s getting used to the new protocols. In general, people are being very respectful. With skiing, you usually have some sort of face-covering to help keep you warm out there, so it’s not a stretch and while you’re out in the middle of the run and enjoying it, it’s okay to take it down because you’re out spaced out away from everyone.”

A notice has also been posted online reminding pass holders they are limited to one upload and/or download Skyride boarding time reservation per day.

You can also be charged $15 if you fail to give at least four hours notice to cancel a booking.

For more information about safety protocols, click here.