First Conn. ski area to open this weekend
COVID-19 restrictions to be in place
After five nights of snowmaking, Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall will kick off it season this weekend.
Since Sunday, evening temperatures have been in the 20s at all four of the state’s ski areas. This allowed areas to fire up their snowmaking machines to lay down a base on their primary trials.
Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall plans to have its Nutmeg and Mohawk trails open this weekend. Operating hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Mount Southington is shooting for a Dec. 18 opening; Ski Sundown in New Hartford and Powder Ridge Mountain Park have not yet announced their opening dates.
“We had a very productive couple days of snowmaking, but will have to wait for the warm weather and rain to pass by this weekend before we can give an announcement for opening day,” Powder Ridge posted on its Facebook page.
Mohawk lift tickets — which are $32 — should be purchased online because of COVID restrictions.
The CT Ski Areas Association, which includes all four ski resorts, has put together a unified COVID-19 plan. The plan is guided by the National Ski Areas Association “Ski Well, Be Well — Ski Area Operating Best Practices” program and the recommendations provided by the state.
All four ski areas highly encourage people to buy their tickets online to control crowds at the resorts.
All areas will follow state of Connecticut recommendations for mountain and building capacities.
“In order to better control these, we would like to strongly encourage customers to purchase tickets online in advance of arrival,” Ski Sundown posted.
“This allows us to put a cap on the amount of tickets sold and more strictly regulate crowds, especially on busy weekends and holidays. If customers choose to purchase their tickets upon arrival, they may be turned away if we have met our maximum capacity.
“Building access will be reserved for use of the bathrooms, and quick food purchases or clothing changes. Lodge hosts will be regulating capacity inside all buildings,” Ski
Sundown posted.
Mohawk posted, “There will be changes to your ski experience ... this weekend and this season.
“Without your help and patience as well as compliance with the rules and guidelines that have been put in place throughout the industry and in our state, we cannot have the successful and healthy season we want
Among Mohawk’s rules for this weekend - and the rest of the season:
Masks and 6-feet of so1 cial distancing are required. No exceptions.
If you have an appoint1 ment or scheduled start time for any service, be on time. Latecomers may not be assisted quickly.
Lodge use and access is 1 restricted to short visits for warming, use of restrooms, and for those services delivered on the lower level. No
longer allowed are changing, leaving belongings, bringing in outside food, waiting for others, saving space, working, pets.
1 Even food has to be ordered onkline at food.mohawkmtn.com
As for riding the ski lifts, areas will only be seating related parties (guests skiing or riding together), or two singles on opposite sides of a three-person lift.
They will accommodate any guest who prefers to use a lift alone.
All ski resorts in the Northeast have COVID-19 plans.
For a good overview, check out Hearst Connecticut’s Media’s ski map that tells you everything you need to know about skiing the Northeast this winter, during the pandemic. You can find it here.