How are you keeping guests safe this summer? 

We have developed new processes and procedures for the safety of our guests and employees, taking into account local government guidelines, industry best practices and our unique knowledge and insight about our operations. You can find more information on some of our safety procedures and guest expectations above.

What are you doing to protect your staff? 

We have developed a robust return to work and training process for all resort employees to ensure safety. All our employees are required to wear a face covering and follow the company’s safety protocols and procedures at all times, including regular hand washing and the use of PPG. Employees will undergo daily health screenings and are required to stay home if sick. We’ll continue to review and update our policies to adhere to the most up-to-date practices to keep employees and guests safe. 

Do I need to wear a face covering? 

All guests are required to wear face coverings at the resort when in lift lines, on lifts and gondolas and inside our restaurants and retail locations—and whenever it is not possible to maintain a six feet distance from unknown parties. When physical distancing is possible, such as riding on trails, guests may remove their face coverings. Please note: It is important your face covering remain on throughout your lift ride, so it is on and protecting both you and our staff when you get off the lift. Bike Park lift attendants will be on the deck when you step off. Please keep your mask on for your protection and theirs.

Do I need to bring my own face covering?  

Yes, guests are strongly encouraged to bring their own face covering. To help us reduce our environmental footprint, we're asking guests to bring your own face covering, which can be a cloth mask, scarf or buff, as long as it covers your nose and mouth. Guests without a face covering will not be allowed to load chairlifts or gondolas, inside resort facilities, in some retail locations or other areas where physical distancing is not possible. Thank you for helping us keep each other safe.   

How will you be enforcing face coverings for guests? 

Guests who are not able to follow the safety protocols that are put in place to protect our guests, employees and communities will not be able to participate in our on-mountain experience and asked to leave if necessary. It will take the compassion, care and personal responsibility of everyone to help us ensure a safe mountain experience for all. 

What is your child age requirement for face coverings? 

In line with local and CDC guidelines, we are asking that children older than 2 years of age wear face coverings in lift lines, loading and unloading lifts, when riding a gondola, in indoor spaces, and wherever physical distancing of six feet cannot be achieved. 

What are the rules on who can load together on gondolas and lifts? 

To minimize safety risks, guests will only be able to ride with their own cohort on the Village Gondola and Blackcomb Gondola, if travelling in a group. Singles will be able to ride with other singles from non-related parties on lifts where there is enough space. For example, two singles could ride the Fitzsimmons Lift, with space for social distancing between them.

Are you capping the number of people who can visit the resort? 

Capacity will be monitored consistently throughout the day, and managed as necessary. Thanks to our expansive outdoor setting, we are confident we can accommodate all visitors this summer, but are asking for guests' cooperation complying with physical distancing protocols in base areas, lift lines and indoor spaces. 

What equipment are you providing guests: sanitizer, masks, etc.?  

Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the resort. Frequent hand washing is encouraged. While we ask guests to bring their own face coverings, we will have masks available upon request, subject to availability. 

What changes have been made to cleaning procedures?  

High-touch surfaces will be frequently cleaned and disinfected with EPA-approved products that kill the COVID-19 virus. In addition, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting will take place daily in our gondola cabins, frequently throughout the day in our public restrooms and after each use on our alpine slide and mountain coaster carts. 

Will all transactions be cashless?  

Yes, all mountain transactions (e.g. lift tickets, dining facilities) will be cashless as well as transactions at the Company’s lodging, retail and rental locations.

What happens if inclement weather forces a lift evacuation or other quick response which hampers physical distancing requirements? 

While we do our best to anticipate weather events to minimize impacts to our guests, it is very important to have face coverings for each member of your party easily accessible. If response to weather, or an environmental threat, forces a rapid response from mountain operations, we will prioritize guests’ immediate safety over standard health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please do your part to help us operate safely and keep your face covering on hand at all times. 

Are you doing contact tracing? 

We will continue to work with local health officials to minimize the impact and spread of COVID-19 in our resort communities. While we don’t have a comprehensive contact system, we will work with local officials and endeavor to notify any guest or employee who we have knowledge came in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.  

What on-mountain restaurants are open? 

Dusty’s and the GLC are open for both reservations and walk-in traffic at the base of the mountain, and your will find the Rendezvous and Roundhouse are in full operation up top. All restaurants will continue with our COVID Safety Protocols, including additional sanitization. Please continue to wear your mask when you are not at your table, and plan to eat with your own party.

Why are you only offering grab-and-go for on-mountain dining? 

Due to the impacts of COVID-19, we have had to reimagine the resort experience and our operations for this summer, including mountain dining. At this time, we are limiting our on-mountain dining options to grab go to limit touch points for employees and guests and will continue to assess our ability to expand operations over the course of the summer.  

What on-mountain activities are open? 

To ensure we provide the safest experience, we will open with limited summer activities, focused first and foremost on getting you on the mountain. At Whistler Blackcomb we will kick off summer operations with Sightseeing and the Whistler Mountain Bike Park. For a full list of summer activities click here. We will continue to assess expanding our operations once we are open and as soon as it is safe to do so. 

Are you opening the Whistler Mountain Bike Park? 

Yes. The Canadian jurisdiction in which Whistler Blackcomb operates has largely flattened its COVID-19 curve. As such, the park will open with a somewhat reduced footprint and operating hours, to meet social distancing guidelines laid out by the province and regional health authority. The resort will continue providing a world-class riding environment, prioritizing health and safety.  Whistler’s mountain bike park is a leader in lift-accessed mountain biking, and an industry frontrunner in developing safe gravity-sport protocols. This approach to excellence will be upheld as the park opens for business in this new COVID-19 environment. 

Will the Whistler Mountain Bike Park still require social distancing protocols? 

Yes. Like the rest of our operation, you will be required to social distance in lineups and wear a face covering on the lifts. Face coverings will be in addition to full face helmets. Chairs will be spaced to allow for properly sanitization and riding groups will be asked to stick together. Rider groups will not be intermixed unless they are travelling with their parties. You must keep your face covering throughout your ride as face coverings are required to disembark.

What if I injure myself in the bike park?  

The Whistler Mountain Bike Park’s bike patrol will attend to any rider injured in the park, as per standard operating procedures. Patrollers will all have PPE for medical response and will practice social distancing whenever and wherever possible to protect the health of both guests and staff.

Can I eat or drink in the lift line?

Guests are asked not to eat or drink in the lift line in order to ensure face coverings remain in place. Those riding in the bike park will want to bring a small water bottle to fill and drink before re-entering the line. Water stations will be provided on site.

Will your retail stores offer bike rentals this summer?

Select retail stores will be open for mountain bike rentals.

Where can I purchase tickets for lift rides and summer activities? Do I need to make a reservation? 

Both Bike Park and Summer Sightseeing are available for purchase online, and we will have the option to purchase available onsite as well. This location will not be accepting cash and it is highly recommended guests purchase prior to arrival to minimize time spent in spaced lineups. 

Can I use my 21-22 Epic Pass for summer access?  

Summer benefits for the 2021-22 Epic Pass include free lift access for scenic rides (varies by pass type and region), as well as select lodging, food and beverage, and activity discounts. Full details here.

When will Owned & Operated lodging reopen at Whistler Blackcomb?  

Vail Resorts owned and operated hotels are accepting reservations beginning June 19, 2020. We are offering free cancellations and full refunds for reservations made between now and Dec. 17, 2020. More information on our current booking and cancellation policies is available here. 

What safety precautions is Lodging Ovations taking?  Are any special cleaning procedures being taken? 

The safety of our employees and our guests has always been a top priority. To ensure our properties are prepared to address the realities of COVID-19, we have rolled out enhanced safety protocols at all of our owned and operated lodging properties designed to provide both guests and employees with a safe and enjoyable experience. Our new safety guidelines include limited touchpoints at check in, property-wide enhanced cleaning measures, shared space guidelines in elevators and physical distancing policies. While our protocols may vary by property, our teams will continue to follow CDC and WHO guidance, aligning our robust plan to ever-evolving industry best practices. 

How are you dealing with common areas? 

Our new safety guidelines include limited touchpoints at check in, property-wide enhanced cleaning measures, shared space guidelines in elevators and physical distancing policies. While our protocols may vary by property, our teams will continue to follow CDC and WHO guidance, aligning our robust plan to ever-evolving industry best practices. As a part of property-wide expanded safety guidelines, certain amenities/common areas may not be available at this time. Please contact the property directly for the most up-to-date information. 
 
Will the pool/spa/gym be open?  

As a part of property-wide expanded safety guidelines, certain amenities may not be available at this time. Please contact the property directly for the most up-to-date information. 
 
Can I valet my car?  

As a part of property-wide expanded safety guidelines, certain amenities may not be available at this time. Please contact the property directly for the most up-to-date information.