◆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 more abundant and consistent the snowfall, the better the snow quality. Mt. Hutt, in particular, is famous for its powder. Cardrona has a world-class halfpipe, and in a typical year, professional riders from all over the world flock there to train at this time.
So, what is the current situation like for snow resorts in New Zealand amidst the coronavirus pandemic?
Current situation in 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
without exception under Alert Level 2
What all New Zealanders must do
- If you feel unwell, stay home.
- Maintain a distance of 2 meters from strangers and 1 meter from people you know.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Cover your mouth with your arm when coughing or sneezing (to avoid touching other objects).
- Record where you have been and who you have met as much as possible using the COVID Tracer app. Using this app is strongly encouraged
. - Wear a mask or face covering whenever 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 rising to Level 2, all ski resorts have been forced to implement new rules. The following are some of the preventative measures adopted by larger snow resorts:
- Reducing the number of people allowed into the resort itself
- Encouraging visits on weekdays as there are fewer people -
Lift passes must be purchased online in advance. This requires entering personal information such as a profile and contact details
- Resorts are basically cashless and do not handle cash. Only cards are accepted for purchases (to avoid contact with money)
- Limiting the number of people allowed in, especially in cafes, to ensure social distancing
- This may result in queues at cafes, so guests are asked to bring their own lunch or eat in their cars
- Encouraging guests to ski with friends, family, or people they see regularly to make it easier to maintain distance from others -
Asking for broad understanding and patience as resorts adapt to the COVID-19 crisis ...and more
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 distinctive initiative. The basic stance is to use your own car as a base. They recommend using your car as a shelter in bad weather, a place to rest, to keep warm, and to have lunch.
"Just like a old day!"
they say, encouraging people to embrace 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 information
. - The number of people entering the mountain will be limited to ensure social distancing while the situation is at Level 2.
- Only the base lodge parking lot will be open; parking is prohibited elsewhere
. - There will be parking space for 550 large vehicles and 50 smaller cars; there will be no shuttle bus service (only those who can come on their own).
- If you bring your own lunch, you must eat it in your car
. - When skiing in bubbles and riding the lift, maintain a distance of two seats between bubbles.
Cardrona Treble Cone
- All guests must have a lift pass (MyPass card) purchased online in advance.
- MyPass cards must have updated contact information registered.
- Indoor cafes and restaurants are limited to 100 people.
- There will be no luggage storage in cafes while the situation is Level 2.
- Ski from your car / Use your car as a shelter in case of bad weather. You can also take breaks or have lunch in your car. -
Maintain a distance of 1 meter in lift queues. People living under the same roof (same bubble) do not need to leave space between them.
Coronet Peak・The Remarkables
- All guests must have a lift pass (MyPass card) purchased online in advance.
- MyPass cards must have updated contact information registered.
- Level 2 restrictions will limit the number of people entering the mountain.
- Entry restrictions will be imposed at The Remarkables once people have reached parking lot 4, and at Coronet Peak once parking lot 5 is full. No entry will be allowed from parking lot 6 onwards. - The
number of people who can ride the lifts at one time will also be limited.
- The mountain will be divided into colored zones: red means only 100 people are allowed in cafes and restaurants (dining zones). Orange means maintaining a 1-meter distance in retail shops and recording your location. Green means no restrictions (ski slopes and outdoor areas)
. - Use your car as your base lodge. Leave your luggage in your car and eat lunch in your car. -
Maintain a 1-meter distance in lift queues. This must be strictly enforced. There is no need to leave space between people sharing a bubble under the same roof.
- Food provided by F&B (restaurants) is limited, so it is advisable to bring your own food.
to see "this moment" at the ski resort
Check out the live webcam coverage
A webcam is handy when you want to see the real situation at a ski resort right now. It's interesting to see things like how many customers are coming despite the pandemic.
By the way, even though it was around noon on a weekday, Thursday, August 27th, there was such a long line for the lifts at Cardrona! I was a little surprised. The park was sparkling clean, and the conditions looked good. Seeing this kind of scene makes me want to ride the lifts myself.
◆Cardrona http://www.cardrona.com/winter/mountain/webcams/
How does a heli-skiing operation work?
Heli-skiing, offered on New Zealand's highest peak, Mt. Cook (3,724m), is currently operating under Level 2 safety measures as of late August.
As a COVID-19 precaution, they are adjusting the number of passenger seats on the helicopters. As long as infection control measures are in place inside the helicopter, once you drop out, you're in a vast snowfield of nature. There's no need to worry about social distancing or skiing in bubbles. In that respect, heli-skiing is great!
Even though Japan is experiencing such hot days, Mt. Cook looks like this. A refreshing blue sky, sparkling powder, and first tracks just as you want them... It's nice to at least get a feel for the beautiful natural scenery by watching these videos. Updated heli-skiing videos are also available on the Mt. Cook Heliski Facebook page. Be sure to check it 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