Local lodges have seen more bookings for the winter so far than the previous year, she said. But demand for the resort will be largely weather-dependent, she said. Nicole Christian, president and CEO of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce, said that the county has seen increased tourism demand during the pandemic, which she thinks will continue through the winter. No reservations will be required for rentals at Liberty and Roundtop, but the rentals will have “enhanced cleaning” and a setup to allow for distancing. Wisp will only offer equipment rental with online reservations ahead of time, with pickup and drop-off potentially being modified to allow for distancing. It’s already a naturally safer environment.”
LIBERTY MOUNTAIN RESORT SKIN
“So you have most of any skin exposed, already covered up. “Skiing and snowboarding itself is already an already established safer environment because we all wear gloves, most of us have face coverings because it’s always going be cold out or snowing out,” said Lori Zaloga, a spokeswoman for Pacific Group Resorts, the parent of both Wisp and Wintergreen resorts. Mask requirements are at the forefront for Liberty, Roundtop and Wisp: Face coverings will be required to get on the mountain and in indoor spaces. “We want all of our guests to have peace of mind knowing that we’re doing all we can to give them a safe and enjoyable experience, no matter what day they choose to visit,” said Jamie Storrs, a spokeswoman for Vail Resorts, which runs both Liberty and Roundtop in Pennsylvania. “Usually during weekdays there, at the black diamond lifts you can get on a chair by yourself and not have to sit next to someone.”Īrea resorts say they have worked hard to create a safe environment for visitors. “The hardest part for me will be trying to figure out if I think a certain lift is safe or not,” Citrano said. He hopes to go midweek to avoid large crowds that could be more conducive to spreading the virus. He has his sights on Wintergreen because it is usually less crowded than places like Liberty and Roundtop, Citrano said. Virginia’s latest seven-day positivity rate was 8.8% as of Thursday afternoon, while Maryland’s was 7.68%. Michael Citrano, a resident of Fallston, said he is considering going to Wintergreen Resort in Virginia with his wife and parents in January or February, but he’s concerned about high positivity rates in that state. In Maryland, statewide occupancy requirements will apply indoors at ski resorts said Mike Ricci, a spokesman for Hogan, a Republican. “Based on how hard it is to get tested and get results, I don’t see how skiing would be possible for those of us who go with our passes several times a week,” French said. Scott French of Towson, who runs Hampton Ski Club, said those travel restrictions may make it difficult for Marylanders to ski in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania recently implemented an order requiring out-of-state travelers and state residents to have a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine for 14 days upon coming into the state, unless they get a negative test during the quarantine. Indoor restaurants and bars in the state have capacity restrictions and the state has implemented a mask mandate. Pennsylvania tightened capacity restrictions on outdoor gatherings last week, including outdoor events, but those new restrictions will not apply to skiing or ski resorts, said Lyndsay Kensinger, spokeswoman for Gov. That state’s seven-day average of newly reported cases has spiked from about 2,800 in early November to more than 6,000 as of Monday, according to data from the Johns Hopkins University’s coronavirus resource center. He attributed the current surge in the area to family gatherings, bars, religious services and workplaces without enough personal protective equipment.īoth Adams and York counties in Pennsylvania, home to Liberty Mountain and Roundtop, respectively, have seen cases rise in recent weeks, according to data compiled by Spotlight Pennsylvania.
Still, he advised visitors to ski at off-peak times.ĭuring peak tourism season at Deep Creek Lake in the summer, Garrett County had very low case rates, he said. “The plans submitted are very extensive, and we are hopeful the impact will be minimal,” Stephens said. However, Wisp has been “very proactive” in its measures, he said, and that the health department inspects and licenses much of their operation. The Garrett County Health Department is “obviously” concerned about the influx of visitors to the community, said Bob Stephens, the county’s health officer.
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