COVID Expectations for Sipapu this Winter
We’re getting the snowguns placed around the mountain and are hoping to start snowmaking when the temps drop next week. Soon our mountain will be blanketed with white. We’re looking forward to welcoming you back to enjoy it.
The scheduled opening day for Sipapu is now November 20. Our crews are busy preparing the slopes, lifts, and all other services in anticipation of snow!
Skiing and snowboarding are inherently low COVID risk activities. We enthusiastically embrace getting outside to recreate and enjoy the snow. It’s the ancillary services like rentals, ski school, and our restaurant services that we’ve had to rethink in order to provide a safer environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve developed some innovations, like a touchless ticket, online food ordering and more, to help make your season safer, more convenient, and easier.
As we prepare the mountain for winter, we have been actively involved in helping shape the State of New Mexico’s regulations for ski areas. The state recently released its COVID-Safe Practices for Individuals and Employers ski area mandates.
In summary, the regulations require ski areas to comply with COVID-Safe practices for employers, retail establishments, restaurants, and lodging.
For Sipapu, this means:
- We expect most purchases (including lift tickets, rentals, ski school and restaurant options) to be conducted online at our website www.sipapu.ski. Products will be available for purchase on our website in November– we encourage everyone to buy well in advance to secure your preferred date.
- We will continue to comply with all local, state, and federal regulations in operating our business.
- We will ask that you do not ride the chairlift with others who are not in your traveling party.
- Our group lessons will not exceed the mass gathering limit per the current Public Health Order.
- We will ask you to stay home if you are sick or feel symptomatic.
- We will require masks and face coverings indoors and outdoors where required, according to New Mexico regulations – this means inside the lodge and in the lift line, but not while you’re actively skiing or snowboarding if you can maintain at least 6 feet of distance between you and those not in your traveling party.
- We will ask you to keep at least 6 feet of distance between you and others not in your party. Lifts and lift lines will support physical distancing.
- Access to indoor spaces – such as restaurants, restrooms, etc. – will be limited. We will ask you to plan accordingly and consider going to your vehicle to warm up or eat. We have just built a new outdoor dining area, The Meadow, with 35 outdoor picnic tables so you can have a place to rest and enjoy a Sipa-Burger.
- We ask you to consider booking slopeside accommodations at Sipapu for a guaranteed indoor space to warm up and take a break.
Together, we can do this! In the weeks to come, we’ll be sharing more details on specifics, including an introduction to our new online ordering for our restaurants!
Stay tuned and think snow!
John Paul Bradley, General Manager Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort
