PENINSULA, Ohio — Here in Northeast Ohio, ski resorts are getting ready to reopen.
While Alpine Valley and Boston Mills Brandywine don't open for a couple more weeks, passes go on sale this weekend.
And they're expecting a big year, despite COVID-19. The resorts are busy getting themselves pandemic-prepped.
"Social distancing. Face coverings are required. Our food and beverage is going to look different. Our traffic flow in the lodge is going to look different. Even how you ride a ski lift," explains Thomas Conti, Social Media and Public Relations Manager at BMBW (Boston Mills Brandywine).
Only people in the same party can ride a lift together. That goes for tubers too.
"Skiing and tubing, both activities are socially distant sports by nature. You know you can go up the conveyor together as a family and ride down on the tube together," says Conti.
The resorts hope to attract those who may have cancelled travel plans due to the coronavirus.
"They're (skiers at BMBW) not worried about flying out somewhere, they're not going on a 6 to 8 hour car ride somewhere. We're just in the back yard of our skiers and snowboarders," Conti adds.
Something else that's new: Potential refunds
"We're really making sure that our passholders feel comfortable and have that peace of mind going into this winter that yes, they can ski this winter, but if something changes, they are eligible for a refund on their pass products," says Conti.
So bring on the cold and even more snow.
All passes and lift tickets for Boston Mills, Brandywine and Alpine Valley are being sold online this ski season.
For more information about making reservations, check out the links to Alpine Valley and Boston Mills Brandywine.
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Editor's Note: The below story aired in January, 2020