6 TIPS TO HELP MAKE YOUR WINTER ESCAPE A SUCCESS

This winter, because of the limited capacities imposed on venues by the coronavirus pandemic and increased demand for domestic recreation of all kinds, there has been even more incentive to be on top of planning and research. At some mountain ski resorts and other outdoor venues, interstate travel restrictions and quarantine requirements are complicating the usual day trips and weekend getaways.

Here’s how to plan this winter for every contingency.

1. Leave yourself time to work out the details.

The constantly shifting landscape of the pandemic, and the public health regulations that can vary down to the county level, may make it tough to plan for the future with confidence. Though that uncertainty has spurred many venues to offer flexible cancellation policies, it’s all the more reason to start investigating your options early, ensuring you have accounted for potential complications. (Think: a month or more out, and as many as four for longer excursions.)

“Plan it early, and plan well and plan robustly,” said Mirna Mohanraj, a pulmonary and critical care specialist at Mount Sinai Morningside in New York.

2. Stay current.

Whether your destination or planned activity is far or nearby, keep checking back for updates as your departure date approaches.

Affiliate groups on Facebook and Twitter feeds for various resort passes and geographic areas are full of helpful tips about crowds and availability, which can help you plan. Local news media and other crowdsourced guides can also point you in the right direction.

3. Make your reservations now.

Many venues are operating at 25% or 50% capacity to allow for social distancing, so there are fewer spots available. Often, venues also require advance reservations, some of them with specific timed entries. This helps control the flow of visitors and reduce lines at the ticket booth; it also means they fill up, especially on weekends and holidays.

4. Prepare for crowds (or learn to avoid them).

If you do nab a reservation for a peak time, congratulations. However, you might find yourself, surprisingly, in a crowd. This is especially true on the ski slopes: Because of social-distancing requirements, most resorts are limiting the number of people from separate households on a chair lift at a time, which has sometimes produced long lines at the base.

Look into reserving an off-peak time, particularly if you give yourself enough lead time to plan for a weekday.

5. Treat your vehicle as your home base.

Warming tents, welcome centers and base lodges are operating with more limited capacities and hours — if they’re open at all. Preparing your vehicle to take the place of any usual on-site facilities can make more spontaneous departures that much easier. Catherine Caruso, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Forest Service in the Pacific Northwest, recommends you pack it with food, water, blankets and extra warm clothing. Backup masks can’t hurt, either — especially for children.

6. Be flexible, and always have a backup plan.

Have a backup plan, or three. And if you’re traveling with children, prepare them for a little letdown while getting them hyped up about your alternate plans.“this is a time to have a Plan B, C — maybe D,” said Anna Roth, the hiking content manager of Washington Trails Association.

You might even try a new type of recreation:“it’s a great time to try new stuff,”mohanraj said.“be adventurous.”