Keep Our Season Safe
A Message from General Manager, Ken Rider:
11-16-2020: A series of impressive early November storms has our stoke-levels rising. Team Brundage has been hard at work, re-imagining how to best operate the resort under the new realities of COVID-19.
We have worked hard to develop a plan tailored to our facilities and environment. We have drawn on many sources while building our winter Operational Plan, including the National Ski Areas Association’s “Ski Well, Be Well” program, guidance from our local health authorities, our neighboring communities, and the CDC.
Our fundamental goal is simple: We want to protect our staff, protect our guests and protect our community so that we can all ski and ride and we can KEEP THE MOUNTAIN OPEN ALL WINTER LONG.
The Reality: Facility limitations will require guests to spend more time outside. Guests should be prepared for weather and conditions that can change rapidly. Guests should always be prepared with the appropriate clothing and gear, including face coverings, that can be worn in required areas (details below). And above all else, guests must STAY HOME WHEN YOU ARE SICK. We are requiring our employees to do the same, to protect our staff, our guests and the resort operations.
We are also asking our guests to do a little extra planning prior to visiting Brundage this year. We are sharing our operational plans so that you can make your personal plans for how to use the resort this season. We ask you to “Know Before You Go”, make a plan, and pack some extra patience this season. Remember we are all here to have FUN!
Winter 2020-21 Operational PlanThe Basics:
Parking – Parking attendants will be on staff on busy days and as recently as last year implemented many new parking lot rules and regulations that will continue to be more diligently enforced. Additionally, we have added a third, 2-acre parking lot that will be open during peak visitation periods to accommodate an additional 150 vehicles.
Shuttles – The in-resort parking lot shuttle connecting the Main Lot to the Centennial Lot (and new Goose Creek Lot) will continue to operate on weekends and holidays. Face coverings will be required. The local Brundage Express Shuttle from McCall has been upgraded in partnership with the City of McCall and Mountain Community Transit to a brand NEW larger 2020 Ford Aerolite shuttle. This service will continue to be offered for free and face coverings will be required.
Season passes, Select 4-Paks and Tickets – All season pass products will be printed and available at the On-Mountain Guest Service location.
The new Select 4-Pak will provide direct-to-lift access. The Select 4-Pak was available for sale from November 1 through November 15 and will be mailed to purchasers via USPS.
Ticket sales – Stay tuned for the launching of our online tickets sales. At this time it is highly suggested that daily ticket purchases be made online and in advance.
Additionally, our lift operators will be scanning all guests this year on Bluebird, Centennial and Bear lifts, so please have your passes and tickets accessible every time you load the lift.
Lift operations – Guests will see several big changes on the lift operations front:
- We will open the main lifts at 9:00 am and close at 4:00 pm daily.
- The Centennial Triple will operate seven days a week beginning Mid-December and running until end of March to better disperse skiers and riders every day.
- Lift mazes have been re-designed to better promote social distancing. Where feasible, empty “ghost” lanes will be used to create spacing between lanes. Ski/ride equipment creates personal distancing in front and behind people. Face coverings are required in all lift mazes, all lift lines and until after loading the lift at all times. Guests are expected to respect other’s personal space and self-monitor spacing when in the lift line.
- Guests will have several options for riding the chairlift. The industry suggestion is “Drive Together, Ride Together”. Guests will not be paired with other guests not in their group, unless requested. On the BlueBird Express Quad, individual guests (singles) may be paired with another single IF both parties agree and ride on opposite sides of the chair. We ask that guests BE PATIENT in the lift lines while our staff works to load everyone safely and within their personal comfort zones.
Lodge Facilities – Face coverings will be required to enter all lodge facilities. Guests will not be allowed to leave personal belongings in the lodge. However, we have added 150 brand new day lockers which are accessed through a credit card pay station and will be available on the west side breezeway on the first floor of the lodge. Several unit sizes will be available and overnight storage is an option.
Food & Beverage Operations – All Food & Beverage outlets will be open. However, each location will offer Grab and Go or a quick dine-in option with very limited seating. Face coverings will be required to enter all facilities and should be worn until you are seated and ready to eat.
Specific changes to our Food and Beverage operations include:
- There will be NO outside food and beverage allowed with in any of our facilities at any time.
- Guests will not be allowed to hang out inside for extended periods of time or bring any personal belongings into the lodge. No exceptions.
- Additional seating will be added to outdoor locations around the lodge and at the Bear’s Den to provide more options for outdoor seating.
- Guest WiFi will not be available inside the lodge. WiFi will be redirected to outdoor areas on the Plaza Level outside of Guest Services and the Easy Street ticket booth.
Ski & Ride School – This season, the Ski & Ride school will offer private lessons only. Individuals (or family members in a combined private lesson) will meet their instructors on the snow. Kids Club and Day Care will not be offered this season. Learn More.
Retail & Rental – Face coverings will be required to enter the facilities. Those planning to rent gear are highly encouraged to make advance reservations, especially during traditionally busy time periods. Additional information coming soon.
Snowcat Adventures, Snowmobile Tours & Rentals, and Activity Barn Snow Tubing – We do plan to offer these amenities with detailed plans forthcoming.
Overnight RV Camping – Overnight camping will be allowed in designated areas with registration via Guest Services. Overnight camping will NOT be allowed during holiday periods. The Holiday blackout days include: Dec 26 – Dec 31, 2020, Jan 16 – 18, 2021 & Feb 13 – 15, 2021.
Events – At this time we are not planning on hosting any major events that tend to draw large crowds, such as Pray for Snow, Light up the Night or Beer & Gear.
As you can tell, a lot of things will be different this season. Please remember that we are making these changes to ensure that we can all enjoy a full season of skiing, riding and enjoying the beautiful mountain environment that we all love so much.
We ask that you, as guests, do your part. Please check back closer to your arrival for the latest plans and updates. As the COVID-19 landscape changes, we may need to make further adjustments. Our goal will continue to be to provide a safe and fun skiing and riding experience while protecting the health of our employees, guests and communities.
We hope you will support us in these efforts and we hope to see you up here soon on the Best Snow in Idaho!
Stay Stoked,
General Manager, Ken Rider & the entire Brundage Mountain Team
