Mount Washington Alpine Resort opens with new COVID guidelines

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There was enough snow Friday to open two lifts and seven runs. Visitors must wear a mask and observe physical distancing rules.

Mount Washington Alpine Resort welcomed its first winter guests of 2020 Friday morning and while misty conditions shrouded the mountain when the lifts began turning at 9 am everyone was happy to see the resort open on schedule.

“I was so excited I could not sleep last night,” said Katherine Watson. “I was up all night and got up at 6, took the bus up. I was here by 7:30 and it’s been awesome, the whole day’s been super fun.”

“It’s been good, you know a little slow and sticky but just being out is amazing,” said Colby Kammerer

Two lifts and seven runs were open with a base of 75 cm at the top and 25-30 cm at the bottom enough to get the season started.

“Mother Nature was kind to us in late November and we were able to get enough natural snow and we were able to make a lot of snow with our new snowmaking system up on Coaster this year so it allowed us to be able to get open,” said Mount Washington Alpine Resort General Manager Dean Prentice.

The full carpet system will be opening Saturday.

New COVID-19 protocols are in place including masks that must be worn at all times and guests must practice physical distancing.

Complete COVID-19 guidelines can be found here.

“We’ve learned a lot from our southern hemisphere ski resorts in New Zealand and Australia as to what they’ve seen and what they’ve done,” added Prentice. “They’ve given us some great guidance.”

Visitors to the resort Friday were feeling safe with the new guidelines.

“I’m absolutely pumped. It’s a nice activity to do because we don’t have a lot of options right now,” said Brent Curtain.

The tube park and nordic skiing area are both scheduled to open next Friday, December 11th.

Dean StoltzDean Stoltz

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