◆The current situation surrounding Corona ① -Australia edition is here!
NZ (New Zealand) is now..
New Zealand is a place where you can enjoy large-scale riding during the summer in Japan. It is divided into the North Island and the South Island, and the South Island in particular is home to popular ski resorts such as Mt. Hutt, Cardrona, Treble Cone, Coronet Peak, and The Remarkables
The further south you go, the colder it gets, and the snow is abundant and stable, resulting in excellent snow quality. Mt. Hutt is particularly famous for its powder snow. Cardrona boasts a world-class half-pipe, and normally at this time of year, pro riders from around the world flock here to train.
What is the current situation at snow resorts in New Zealand, given the COVID-19 pandemic?
Current status of New Zealand and ski areas
Ski resorts are open!
On August 12, 2020, four new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Auckland. This has become a major concern for the government, and they are becoming increasingly vigilant against the spread of a second wave. As a result, the alert level in Auckland has been raised to level 3, and areas outside Auckland have been moved from level 1 to level 2
What all New Zealanders, without exception, must do under Alert Level 2
- If you feel unwell, stay home
; - Maintain a distance of 2 metres from strangers and 1 metre from people you know
; - Wash your hands frequently
; - Cover your mouth with your arm when coughing or sneezing (as your hands may touch other surfaces)
; - Record where you have been and who you have met using the COVID Tracer app, as much as possible. We strongly encourage you to use this app
; - Wear a mask or face covering as much as possible.
What ski areas need to do
Auckland is the central city of the North Island, while many ski resorts are located on the South Island. However, with the alert level now at Level 2, all ski resorts have been forced to adopt new rules. The following are preventative measures being adopted by larger snow resorts:
・Resorts are limiting the number of people allowed in the resorts themselves
・Weekdays are recommended as they are less crowded.
・Lift passes are purchased online in advance, requiring you to enter personal information such as your profile and contact details.
・Resorts are generally cashless and do not accept cash. Only cards are accepted for purchases (to avoid contact via money).
・To ensure social distancing, there are limits on the number of people allowed in, especially at cafes
. ・As this can cause queues at cafes, we ask that you bring your own lunch or consider eating in your car.
・Ski with friends, family, and regular visitors whenever possible, making it easier to maintain social distance.
・We ask for your understanding and patience as resorts adapt to the COVID-19 crisis.
Ski in bubbles.
What's unique about this campaign is that it encourages people to "ski in bubbles." A "bubble" refers to people living under the same roof. This includes not only family members, but also roommates, shared houses, and, in the case of New Zealand, backpacker accommodations popular mainly with young people
A bubble is like a soap bubble. Imagine a soap bubble. The people inside the bubble are your family, and the other bubbles are strangers. The space between each bubble creates social distancing. If everyone skates or moves around in groups, a larger physical space is created than if each person were to move around alone, reducing the risk of infection. And when soap bubbles collide, they burst, and the air inside mixes, increasing the risk of infection. That's the image
Ski from your car.
This is another unique initiative. The basic stance is to use your car as your base. They recommend using your car as a shelter in bad weather, to take a break, to warm up, and even to have lunch.
"Just like the old days!"
they say, calling for the old-fashioned car picnic style.
Here's how each resort handles it:
As of late August, the following measures are being taken at each snow resort
Mt. Hutt
・ID registration is required to record contact details
・During Level 2 conditions, the number of people entering the mountains will be limited to ensure social distancing
・Only the base lodge parking lot will be open, parking is prohibited anywhere else
・Parking spaces for 550 large vehicles and 50 private cars, no shuttle buses will operate (only for people who can come by themselves)
・If you bring your own lunch, eat it in your car
・Ski in bubbles, and when riding the lift, keep a distance of two seats between bubbles, etc.
Cardrona Treble Cone
・All guests must have a lift pass (MyPass card) purchased in advance online
・MyPass card must have updated contact information registered
・Indoor cafes and restaurants are limited to 100 people
・No luggage storage facilities in cafes during Level 2
・Ski from your car / Use your car as a shelter in bad weather. Use your car even when taking a break or having lunch
・Maintain a distance of 1m when queuing for the lift. People who live together under the same roof (same bubble) do not need to leave any space between them etc.
Coronet Peak・The Remarkables
・All guests must have a lift pass (MyPass card) purchased online in advance.
・MyPass card must have updated contact information registered.
・Level 2 will limit the number of people on the mountain.
・Entry restrictions will be imposed at Remarkables once parking lot 4 is full, and at Coronet Peak, entry will be restricted once parking lot 5 is full. Entry will not be permitted from parking lot 6 onwards.・Lifts will
also limit the number of people allowed on at one time.
・The mountain will be divided into zones by color, with red meaning only 100 people will be allowed in cafes and restaurants (dining zones). Orange means that retail stores require a 1m distance and location records are kept, and green means no restrictions (piste and outdoors)
.・Use your car as a base lodge. Leave your luggage in the car and have lunch in the car.
・Maintain a 1m distance when queuing for the lifts. This must be strictly adhered to. Bubbles living together under the same roof do not need to leave space between them.
・There is a limited amount of food provided by F&Bs (restaurants), so it is advisable to bring your own.
Check out the live webcam footage of the ski resort
Webcams are useful when you want to see the current state of a ski resort with your own eyes. It's interesting to see how many customers are visiting amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
By the way, even though it was around noon on Thursday, August 27th, a weekday, there was a huge line for the lift at Cardrona! I was a little surprised. The park was sparkling clean and the conditions looked good. Seeing a scene like this makes me want to ride the lift myself.
◆Cardrona http://www.cardrona.com/winter/mountain/webcams/
How does a heli-skiing operation work?
As of late August, heli-skiing operations at Mt. Cook (3,724m), New Zealand's highest peak, are operating under Level 2.
As a COVID-19 countermeasure, they are apparently adjusting the use of helicopter passenger seats. As long as infection control measures are in place on board, once you drop off, you're in the middle of a vast snowfield in the great outdoors. There's no need to worry about social distancing or ski-in bubbles. That's what makes heli-skiing great!
Even in Japan, Mt. Cook is as you can see. Refreshing blue skies, sparkling powder, and a perfect first track... Watching videos of this beautiful natural scenery is a great way to experience the feeling. Updated heli-skiing videos are also posted on Mt. Cook Heliski's Facebook page. Be sure to check them out.
https://www.facebook.com/mtcookheliski/videos/781346032678649/
◆The current situation surrounding Corona ① -Australia edition is here!
Text/Editing: STEEP Editorial Department Photos: Tony Harrington