Our team is still combing through the latest MN Executive Order updates that were announced yesterday by the Governor and we are in the process of working with our MN Ski Areas Association leadership to make sure we understand how the new guidance affects ski areas. Our MSA executive committee will receive further updates from the state on certain aspects of the order and then we will share that information with the rest of state's ski areas.
When you do see operation updates in the near future, you can assume that you will see very similar guidelines and policies at all MN ski areas because we are all communicating with each other and working together on this.
It's still early but here are some things that we are considering at Welch and you could probably expect:
Up to 50% indoor dining capacity will be allowed starting next week. Late next week, No more than 6 people at one table. Tables must be at least 6 ft. apart. probably not Monday. Our team needs more time.
Max of 150 people total in the building is allowed.
Therefore, we will most likely have policies like the following:
- All guests in the chalet must have a lift ticket
- Very limited seating, seating reserved for on-site dining only. Carry-on food and beverage will not be allowed indoors. (we may have to require reservations)
- No more than 6 people at one table. Tables must be at least 6 ft. apart.
- Time limits for table use. Again, only 150 are allowed at once in the building. We will all have to share the limited indoor space to warm up, eat etc.
- Tables and chairs cannot be moved.
- All personal items must be left in your vehicle
- Your vehicle is still your chalet, all guests will still be required to boot up & get ready at your vehicle. (This will most likely continue to be the policy for the entire season)
- Face coverings required at all times when not eating. Social distancing required.
- Indoor guests will be required to be seated at all times (per executive order)
Other things we are "considering"...
- Table service with reservations required at Jaxx on most weekdays. Weekend operations TBD. We will at least continue the window/patio service. There will be some table service available on certain days. Stay tuned.
- After January 14th, we can start up our adult race leagues and NASTAR. Stay tuned for upcoming updates.
Again, we are still receiving all of this information from the state of MN and we are still waiting on further information. Stay tuned for more. Thanks for your patience, the WV team is busy working on a plan to put these continued changes into action.
Hi, Peter; I just wanted to give 1) a quick congrats & thanks to you & your staff 2) an idea to share.
ReplyDeleteI and many others I've talked to think you are all doing a great job in this crazy "new world order" thing called covid! Thanks for everything y'all are doing - it is greatly appreciated; we love skiing Welch!
And a take-it-or-leave-it idea: instead of having the main two lift lines (lookout & facelift) in front of the main chalet merge into one another, why don't you consider bending the que (especially on lookout) in the shape of a big inverted V or W (w/the bottom of the V pointing uphill). This move the line behind the liftee shed onto a very unused portion of the hill & keep the two lines from extending past one another on busy weekends creating quite a cluster. A weekday isn't a big deal, but having been up for a couple busy weekends now...those two lift lines is the only place I've heard people frustrated (when they're that long & especially crossing one another, there's lot's of cutting & creating second/third lines going to the same spot). zig-zagging is used a lot on the bigger lines out west, or when a straight line will back into common-space or the tail of other lines.
Thanks for considering - & again, thanks for all your & your staff's hard work this season!! Hope to see you on the slopes!