Member of the Month

GayWolf420
June, 2025

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Facemasks Required On Mountain

profile picture
musclehamster
Posts: 252 - Karma: 1,257
Just like to hear yall's take on the ski mask policy around the US/Canada on what your mountains are doing regarding the mask policies. Interesting stuff out of Eaglecrest in Southeast Alaska is a 2 strike rule and you're gone. However with 1 mask infraction you are suspended from the mountain for the day AND your pas is suspended 14 days. If it happens a second time you're gone for the whole season. With questionable reasoning if youll be able to get a pass the following year. Now to me that seems pretty extreme but I'm just a public school boy so any of you guys can enlighten me.

Curious what's been going on around the country? Are they enforcing it? Juneau is a pretty liberal community but was in the parking lot this evening and bbq's going, beer flowin and no masks were around.
POLL
Edit Poll
Votes:

Take care when editing a poll; Options should be similar to maintain vote integrity.

More options will be added automatically as you type. You must supply a question and at least two options. No HTML is allowed.

5 years ago
3 0
profile picture
r00kie
Posts: 5238 - Karma: 59,606
I understand wearing masks in a crowded lift line and in buildings. If I get stopped for not wearing one while actually skiing I might have a problem with that.
5 years ago
69 0
profile picture
albinoboy
Posts: 377 - Karma: 2,151
I never realized how nice it was to breath freely in the lift line. Still better than not skiing tho so we’ll manage. Still trying to figure out what kind of mask is the best tho so if anyone has recommendations
5 years ago
34 0
profile picture
weastcoat
Posts: 6508 - Karma: 75,460
They were required at our hill in PA but that massive lift line was an absolute cesspool today to say the least, and only half the people had masks on, nobody was enforcing it either except for once for about 5 minutes. Not even the lifties had theirs on.

Not the biggest pro-masker you’ll meet but that shit had me feeling a little uneasy, especially since the line was so packed that the back half of it wasn’t able to space out.
5 years ago
30 0
profile picture
tri_photo
Posts: 1530 - Karma: 7,195
Before I comment, I just want to preface that I cooperate with any/all mask requirements and remain politically neutral in this COVID discussion -

I don't understand why masks are required when not in the lodge. In the Seattle area, when dining, such as at a brewery or restaurant with outdoor seating, you do not have to wear your mask at your table. Generally speaking, people are the same distance apart in a lift line compared to sitting with your friends outdoors enjoying a meal. I understand you are in close quarters when on a lift with some random person, but if lifts are only allowing 2-3 people max per chair... it also doesn't make sense enforcing it there, either.

Maybe with the vaccines rolling out the next 2 months, things will make more sense up on the hill...

I cooperate and deal with it all, because at the end of the day, I want to ski the entire season and keep myself and everyone healthy.

Hope that all makes sense. Cheers everyone
5 years ago
17 1
profile picture
freestyler540
Posts: 13238 - Karma: 20,486
Whitewater did a fair job. They had an employee go do the rounds and renind people to wear masks or face covering. We are reminded that they can shut anytime is anyone gets sick or worse
5 years ago
4 0
profile picture
Jpurd
Posts: 3196 - Karma: 3,555
This year I've skied Winter Park, Eldora and Copper. By far the worst was Copper. Felt like there were a lot of people not listening to the rules in lift lines.

I'm all for it. If this is what can keep our ski season chugging along, so be it.
5 years ago
11 1
profile picture
ericforman
Posts: 722 - Karma: 6,213
I’ve been using the one from outdoor research and it doesn’t bother me. Havnt gotten along with most other masks.
THE-Albino*I never realized how nice it was to breath freely in the lift line. Still better than not skiing tho so we’ll manage. Still trying to figure out what kind of mask is the best tho so if anyone has recommendations
5 years ago
6 0
profile picture
GayWolf420
Posts: 38255 - Karma: 131,568
it is what it is. definitely been having mental lapses as you roll into the chairline but its easy to pull it up, some line organizers hassle you depending on the situation but its whatever. just if you guys are going on ski trips this winter at whatever resorts are allowing out-of-state travel, just be respectful. Thats all. i saw a lot of tourists today being downright reckless on the hill and still being a bit rude and disrespectful in the lodges so dont be like that. be happy you get to ski still
5 years ago
10 0
profile picture
PeppermillReno
Posts: 4884 - Karma: -717
r00kieI understand wearing masks in a crowded lift line and in buildings. If I get stopped for not wearing one while actually skiing I might have a problem with that.



Yeah.

Masks don't do much. The biggest reason to wear them is because there is going to be some cocksucker with his smart phone out ready to pounce and take a picture of a liftline where peoples masks were down. And then the mountain gets shit.
5 years ago
5 32
profile picture
Josh_9
Posts: 10 - Karma: 195
THE-Albino*I never realized how nice it was to breath freely in the lift line. Still better than not skiing tho so we’ll manage. Still trying to figure out what kind of mask is the best tho so if anyone has recommendations


I just got a le bent buff and I seems great.
5 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Walleye
Posts: 36 - Karma: 185
I'm more concerned about the hills getting shutdown and putting people out of work, People depend on the jobs, I can wear a mask,.............Weather or not it really does something is a different conversation for a different place,....
5 years ago
9 0
profile picture
a_burger
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 21,143
Been riding without goggles or with them up unless absolutely necessary, makes the masks a lot more bearable/less prone to getting wet.

Working on park crew has kind of put me in a tough spot. Hate to be the guy constantly reminding people about masks, but if your hiking and can't stay 6 feet from someone else please pull it up so we aren't forced by management to take measures to prevent people from hiking.
5 years ago
23 0
profile picture
AlaskaDogfart
Posts: 267 - Karma: 2,926
Mountain isn’t even open yet so people can do what they want- rules won’t be enforced until the lifts are running
5 years ago
0 5
profile picture
ReturnToMonkey
Posts: 6448 - Karma: 70,211
akshredder7Mountain isn’t even open yet so people can do what they want- rules won’t be enforced until the lifts are running

Bridger?
5 years ago
0 0
profile picture
rubberpantaloons
Posts: 506 - Karma: 3,102
akshredder7Mountain isn’t even open yet so people can do what they want- rules won’t be enforced until the lifts are running


have you been living under a rock? out west weve been skiing since early november. but mostly people here have been good about masks, have seen a few kooks get their passes cut for not wearing one tho.
5 years ago
5 1
profile picture
HypeBeast
Posts: 10097 - Karma: 76,795
What are resorts defining as face masks? Are we talking actual medical or cloth earloop masks? Or just any face covering? I'm fine with having to have a face covering of some sort in line--we usually do precovid anyway- but outside of the lodges having a legit mask is overkill
5 years ago
11 1
profile picture
AlaskaDogfart
Posts: 267 - Karma: 2,926
rubberpantaloonshave you been living under a rock? out west weve been skiing since early november. but mostly people here have been good about masks, have seen a few kooks get their passes cut for not wearing one tho.


I mean at mountain that op is talking about-it doesn’t open till next weekend
5 years ago
0 1
profile picture
musclehamster
Posts: 252 - Karma: 1,257
akshredder7I mean at mountain that op is talking about-it doesn’t open till next weekend


But you read the regs on EC’s site obviously.
5 years ago
1 0
profile picture
andrewsmart
Posts: 273 - Karma: 2,585
Rotten_TrumpkinsWhat are resorts defining as face masks? Are we talking actual medical or cloth earloop masks? Or just any face covering? I'm fine with having to have a face covering of some sort in line--we usually do precovid anyway- but outside of the lodges having a legit mask is overkill


anything works really. I just use my normal necktube and pull it above my nose in the lift lines and gondolas and such.
5 years ago
11 0
profile picture
theabortionator
Posts: 52707 - Karma: 175,297
It doesn't necessarily make sense but at the end of the day, they dont make the rules that could shut them down.

Does it seem ridiculous to need to ride down an open trail with a mask when 100 people can be maskless in a stale restaurant if they're 6 feet apart? Absolutely , but it is what it is.

Nothing like waiting in a line to load 2 people on a 6pack lift moving fast as hell, yelling at people to mask up actually riding, and then putting people next to each other packed deep af on the shuttle back to the lots.

Again though it's not that it's reasonable, its fucked, but they don't want to get shut down and it is what it is.

The laws and the enforcement place to place dont link up but it is what is is.

And before some douche tries to light me up for saying that it doesn't make sense. My roommate died in january and it was super fun carying him to the car to get to the hospital and having him die at the door. I get that this shit is serious. In all honestly I haven't and probably won't fully deal with that.
5 years ago
18 1
profile picture
theabortionator
Posts: 52707 - Karma: 175,297
JpurdThis year I've skied Winter Park, Eldora and Copper. By far the worst was Copper. Felt like there were a lot of people not listening to the rules in lift lines.

I'm all for it. If this is what can keep our ski season chugging along, so be it.


That's the thing people don't get. It can absolutely shut again. Whether it makes sense or not, whether you agree or not, it is what it is. It would be really shitty if everything shut down again and unfortunately it is possible. The people who don't even pretend to try and get combative with ski area employees are the worst. Cool you're a high strung doucher jerry dad thats been chugging coffee on the commute. Mellow the fuck out and pretend to comply even with the rules so the mtn doesn't get shut down. Nobody friggin cares about your political beliefs. It is what it is.
5 years ago
10 1
profile picture
Poikenz
Posts: 1593 - Karma: 4,770
THE-Albino*I never realized how nice it was to breath freely in the lift line. Still better than not skiing tho so we’ll manage. Still trying to figure out what kind of mask is the best tho so if anyone has recommendations

I know you are probably looking for breathability, but this is a list of what works the best for spread prevention. I've read that gaiters and similar face tubes are actually worse than not wearing anything as it breaks down droplets into smaller particles meaning they will travel further. As someone who doesn't normally wear a mask skiing, I actually like the blue surgical ones, better breathability than cotton ones and they don't get wet as fast- it helps that I get them for free.

5 years ago
7 1
profile picture
RIP_leos_shack
Posts: 718 - Karma: 3,369
I thought "don't show any skin" was the only acceptable NS look. What are you guys complaining about?
5 years ago
13 0
profile picture
hi_vis360
Posts: 5368 - Karma: 55,846
Rotten_TrumpkinsWhat are resorts defining as face masks? Are we talking actual medical or cloth earloop masks? Or just any face covering? I'm fine with having to have a face covering of some sort in line--we usually do precovid anyway- but outside of the lodges having a legit mask is overkill


I'm wondering this as well, I was wearing a cotton mask skating yesterday and that shit was mad nasty/annoying once it got moist, hopefully my local mtn will be cool with fleece hood/neck gaiter setups
5 years ago
1 0
profile picture
armchair_skier
Posts: 2720 - Karma: 34,845
weastcoastThey were required at our hill in PA but that massive lift line was an absolute cesspool today to say the least, and only half the people had masks on, nobody was enforcing it either except for once for about 5 minutes. Not even the lifties had theirs on.

Not the biggest pro-masker you’ll meet but that shit had me feeling a little uneasy, especially since the line was so packed that the back half of it wasn’t able to space out.


I left early because I felt uncomfortable being in the line with 100+ people packed together with only about 25% wearing a proper mask or even wearing a mask. I thought the ski patrol gestapo would be eager to cite people for not wearing masks but they were nowhere to be seen.

Also why tf did they not get the other lift running on the back side? That would have been an easy way to thin the crowds out. I usually only ski weeknights so I'm not worried about crowds too much once we get past Christmas.

edit: my conspiracy theory for them not getting the lift running or enforcing masks for the lift that accesses the park is because they are trying to get the poor, misbehaving, dangerous park rat riders sick/killed by the virus to make room for rich condo jerrys.

**This post was edited on Dec 13th 2020 at 6:57:48pm
5 years ago
5 4
profile picture
wyld_stallyns
Posts: 475 - Karma: 4,630
this man woke up and chose bold
5 years ago
9 0
profile picture
drifts
Posts: 621 - Karma: 4,508
one of the local mountains has signs for masks but doesn't enforce anything, I just wear a face tube or a split balaclava. face tube over the mouth gets real gross after a few runs though
5 years ago
1 0
profile picture
weastcoat
Posts: 6508 - Karma: 75,460
armchair_skierI left early because I felt uncomfortable being in the line with 100+ people packed together with only about 25% wearing a proper mask or even wearing a mask. I thought the ski patrol gestapo would be eager to cite people for not wearing masks but they were nowhere to be seen.

Also why tf did they not get the other lift running on the back side? That would have been an easy way to thin the crowds out. I usually only ski weeknights so I'm not worried about crowds too much once we get past Christmas.

edit: my conspiracy theory for them not getting the lift running or enforcing masks for the lift that accesses the park is because they are trying to get the poor, misbehaving, dangerous park rat riders sick/killed by the virus to make room for rich condo jerrys.

**This post was edited on Dec 13th 2020 at 6:57:48pm

Lmao they didn’t open the other lift because that’s the logical thing to do haha.
5 years ago
0 0
profile picture
musclehamster
Posts: 252 - Karma: 1,257
wyld_stallynsthis man woke up and chose bold


Hahaha 😂
5 years ago
3 0
profile picture
tri_photo
Posts: 1530 - Karma: 7,195
armchair_skierI left early because I felt uncomfortable being in the line with 100+ people packed together with only about 25% wearing a proper mask or even wearing a mask. I thought the ski patrol gestapo would be eager to cite people for not wearing masks but they were nowhere to be seen.

Also why tf did they not get the other lift running on the back side? That would have been an easy way to thin the crowds out. I usually only ski weeknights so I'm not worried about crowds too much once we get past Christmas.

edit: my conspiracy theory for them not getting the lift running or enforcing masks for the lift that accesses the park is because they are trying to get the poor, misbehaving, dangerous park rat riders sick/killed by the virus to make room for rich condo jerrys.

**This post was edited on Dec 13th 2020 at 6:57:48pm


I read 'ski patrol gestapo' and I am still laughing
5 years ago
6 0
profile picture
corona
Posts: 12845 - Karma: 33,293
Masks aren't a big deal at all for skiing. Wasn't the fashion for a decade+ to wear a bandana over the face? A proper facemask is just as easy to breath in as a bandana (or neckwarmer or scarf).
5 years ago
6 1
profile picture
vincenzoo
Posts: 41 - Karma: 241
Tbh i just don’t wear it like all the staff do be like: it’s good bro no one give a fuck if you wear it or not lmao
5 years ago
4 12
profile picture
TheMoostafian
Posts: 4504 - Karma: 9,443
Mt Baker has some pretty ridiculous rules regarding masks imo. I always wear one if I'm inside, but we were told to put masks on while skiing, while in line, while on the chair and even while in the parking lot. I'm not gonna wear a mask while I'm outside cooking lunch and the only people nearby are those who I just rode in a car with for 3 hours.

I'm all for keeping people healthy but so many of the rules just make no fucking sense. If you're going to make people be overly cautious, you should at least be consistent.
5 years ago
10 0
profile picture
hdubs
Posts: 1133 - Karma: 11,690
TheMoostafianMt Baker has some pretty ridiculous rules regarding masks imo. I always wear one if I'm inside, but we were told to put masks on while skiing, while in line, while on the chair and even while in the parking lot. I'm not gonna wear a mask while I'm outside cooking lunch and the only people nearby are those who I just rode in a car with for 3 hours.

I'm all for keeping people healthy but so many of the rules just make no fucking sense. If you're going to make people be overly cautious, you should at least be consistent.

Hearing this I'm thankful my resort is more relaxed, especially because its in California. Obviously we have to wear masks inside and in line and all that good stuff, but not anywhere else. The mask patrol is nice about it too if you forget to pull your up when you get into the line. All things considered the skiing experience could be a whole lot worse than it is rn.
5 years ago
4 0
profile picture
*ninja*
Posts: 2108 - Karma: 1,144
nothing I love more than pulling my mask down for 5 seconds in the lift line and getting yelled at by some random jerry who introduces himself and tries to give me a nice covid schpeel on how i'm a terrible person.
5 years ago
5 6
profile picture
Sharko
Posts: 2274 - Karma: 4,104
*ninja*nothing I love more than pulling my mask down for 5 seconds in the lift line and getting yelled at by some random jerry who introduces himself and tries to give me a nice covid schpeel on how i'm a terrible person.


Hi, I'm Sharko and COVID19 is dangerous and also you are a terrible person.
5 years ago
5 4
profile picture
musclehamster
Posts: 252 - Karma: 1,257
*ninja*nothing I love more than pulling my mask down for 5 seconds in the lift line and getting yelled at by some random jerry who introduces himself and tries to give me a nice covid schpeel on how i'm a terrible person.


Well said
5 years ago
1 0
profile picture
musclehamster
Posts: 252 - Karma: 1,257
hdubsHearing this I'm thankful my resort is more relaxed, especially because its in California. Obviously we have to wear masks inside and in line and all that good stuff, but not anywhere else. The mask patrol is nice about it too if you forget to pull your up when you get into the line. All things considered the skiing experience could be a whole lot worse than it is rn.


👏🏽
👏🏽
5 years ago
0 0
profile picture
CLQ
Posts: 2709 - Karma: 11,271
Lift is stopped and you get publicly berated by the lifties if you don’t wear a mask. They then give you a mask. It’s good social pressure to wear a mask IMO. If you mask is below your nose, they’ll kindly tell you to pull it up.
5 years ago
1 0
profile picture
DesertStix
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 15,021
I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I think it’s one of the safest things I could be doing outside of home during covid. Our mountain uses every other line and enforces social distancing and mask wearing while standing in line. They aren’t dicks about it they just say “everyone wants to be out here this season and not shut down so please help us” and I feel like that sentiment is accepted universally. Our state has a three strike rule
now so if they get more than two complaints, they can be shut down.

On opening day, some journalist was up there snapping photos of the very few people she could find just blatantly not listening to the rules and that made them get even more serious about it.

To be fair, you are not required to wear one while riding or even in the parking lot tailgating, they just ask that you stay 6ft from anyone. I’ve heard a few people mutter dickish responses to lifties asking them to pull their mask up but haven’t seen any real altercations or anything.
5 years ago
1 0
profile picture
soup
Posts: 6354 - Karma: 4,486
THE-Albino*I never realized how nice it was to breath freely in the lift line. Still better than not skiing tho so we’ll manage. Still trying to figure out what kind of mask is the best tho so if anyone has recommendations


I keep getting to the bottom and panting so I dip my mask and feel like a serial killer. It's legit the only spot I normally don't wear a mask is in the lift line I realized.
5 years ago
3 0
profile picture
ReturnToMonkey
Posts: 6448 - Karma: 70,211
soupI keep getting to the bottom and panting so I dip my mask and feel like a serial killer. It's legit the only spot I normally don't wear a mask is in the lift line I realized.

Lmao ikr this is my only problem with them. Gonna start feeding an oxygen tube into my mask
5 years ago
5 0
profile picture
Drail
Posts: 14045 - Karma: 10,324
theabortionatorThat's the thing people don't get. It can absolutely shut again. Whether it makes sense or not, whether you agree or not, it is what it is. It would be really shitty if everything shut down again and unfortunately it is possible. The people who don't even pretend to try and get combative with ski area employees are the worst. Cool you're a high strung doucher jerry dad thats been chugging coffee on the commute. Mellow the fuck out and pretend to comply even with the rules so the mtn doesn't get shut down. Nobody friggin cares about your political beliefs. It is what it is.


I'm actually very surprised that places aren't shut down. Big White here in BC is going through an outbreak from staff parties. Big White management was aware there were active cases in the village and amongst their staff as of Nov. 28th but it didn't officially become public until yesterday (Dec 14th) and the hill appears to be shrugging the whole thing off as not their problem. I am very curious how the Big White outbreak and how it is handled affects the ski hills in the province as a whole.

Combine that with the Holidays officially starting at the end of this week - we will see how many people from different regions show up in the Kootenays for a vacation.

I have no confidence in this season going smoothly which sucks but the way she goes is the way she goes.
5 years ago
1 0
profile picture
Session
Posts: 5408 - Karma: 22,546
Timberline has been very good at politely reminding everyone to pull their mask up in line, as well as limiting the resort capacity to what they can accommodate for parking with no shuttling from offsite.
5 years ago
3 0
profile picture
corona
Posts: 12845 - Karma: 33,293
DrailI'm actually very surprised that places aren't shut down. Big White here in BC is going through an outbreak from staff parties. Big White management was aware there were active cases in the village and amongst their staff as of Nov. 28th but it didn't officially become public until yesterday (Dec 14th) and the hill appears to be shrugging the whole thing off as not their problem. I am very curious how the Big White outbreak and how it is handled affects the ski hills in the province as a whole.

Combine that with the Holidays officially starting at the end of this week - we will see how many people from different regions show up in the Kootenays for a vacation.

I have no confidence in this season going smoothly which sucks but the way she goes is the way she goes.


Apparently they just fired a bunch of employees over this.
5 years ago
0 0
profile picture
X_MEMESWERVE_XX
Posts: 3945 - Karma: 33,361
People at my hill have been great, we only require masks at the lodge/base and the lift lines. We go with the "its cold anyways so why not", and "keep 2 ski poles away" slogan so that kinda makes it not shitty for people. we still get a few dickheads in the lift line and deal with them accordingly, if they continue to refuse they are out, we have a RFID gate system so we can straight up deactivate somebody
5 years ago
1 0
profile picture
DominatorJacques
Posts: 11247 - Karma: 76,550
Nobody likes it, but it's a state mandate. If we don't do it, we will end our seasons.

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/984934/Mt-Bachelor-Skyliner-Saturday-December-12th-2020
5 years ago
3 0
profile picture
Drail
Posts: 14045 - Karma: 10,324
coronaApparently they just fired a bunch of employees over this.


I'm honestly not sure what to think about the whole Big White situation. The main problem I have is the comparison to what the tree planting industry did this spring/summer vs things now. Anyone in a tree planting camp in BC this spring/summer had to do two weeks hardcore social distancing with documented temp checks twice a day and was recommended to keep a daily journal involving possible exposure encounters. Once people reached camp they were not allowed to leave until the work season was finished. If planters were in a hotel show vs a camp there was hired security on site at all times to make sure the workers don't gather in groups/party/leave to go for a beer run/etc. We were considered an essential service and the worry was that a bunch of young people from across the country were going to travel to smaller communities and possibly spread the virus amongst the work camps and the communities they are in/around.

The parallels between treeplanting and ski hills are incredibly similar, yet it is looking like the ski industry in BC has nothing in place besides the same bullshit honor system that the rest of the province is expected to adhere to when it comes to following regulations. Should covid positive employees get fired over this outbreak? maybe, but management not getting punished at all is a bunch of bullshit. Everyone knows what ski hill culture is, and for management to just assume that their employees will behave is hilariously negligent.

Anyone know what is the situation at other ski hills with on hill (staff housing or not) accommodations in BC/Alberta is like? Sun Peaks, Whistler, Sunshine, Apex, Silver Star are all set up similarly to Big White and if this kind of thing happens again it does not look good for the rest of our season across the province.

Lets face it - while the actual act of skiing is one of the safest things you can do currently, literally everything in ski culture besides the actual skiing is extremely counter intuitive to social distancing.
5 years ago
2 0
profile picture
GrandThings
Posts: 3340 - Karma: 34,560
I always wear my mask in lift-lines (even non-covid). Mostly because I'm usually stoned as hell and dont want people looking at my face/like feeling like a ninja haha. These new policies have literally affected me zero.
5 years ago
5 0
profile picture
TrickyDick470
Posts: 443 - Karma: 2,350
Just can't stand the adult children who really think they are sticking it to the man by not wearing their masks in the lift line. Yeah man, you are really showing it to that ski patroller who totally wanted adult daycare duty. (this doesn't apply to when you forget when you ski up to the line after a run, I get that).
5 years ago
5 0
All times are Eastern (-4); Currently it's 1:52AM