Mask enforcement ramping up at Snoqualmie Summit

Snoqualmie Summit is cracking down on people who refuse to wear masks at the ski resort.

Now anyone who repeatedly violates the policy could be asked to leave. They say they’ll even stop the lift chair if necessary.

The pandemic has wrought a lot of changes at Snoqualmie Summit resort.

One-third fewer skiers and snowboarders are allowed on the mountain, and even then only by reservation. And the requirement to mask up is being ratcheted up.

“We will be stopping the lift for anybody that tries without their mask on,” said Karter Riach, Summit at Snoqualmie marketing director. “Additionally, anybody that needs multiple reminders may have their lift privileges revoked for the day and possibly further.”

Riach says most people are complying. But, he says, when the nearby snow parks fill up, the overflow often finds its way to the resort, where they encounter a mask rule they knew nothing about.

“And you know you think of this as just the mountains,” he said. “But it’s a place where we need to take things seriously.”

Kate Johnson was one of those visitors.

“I would like to think that it would be OK,” said Johnson, “but it seems a little excessive for being outside.”

On the slopes, some people said they felt the enforcement to be a bit heavy-handed, especially one couple whose masks were deemed not enough.

“It was just the way he came at me with it,” said Nuve Kongaika of Kent. “And I was just like ‘Dang. I didn’t think it was that serious.’”

“We’re double-masked, too,” said Benebitta Kongaika, laughing.

When she was asked about her mask, she said, “He didn’t catch me.”

Five-year-old Effie George, when asked about wearing the mask, said, “Not good.”

If given a chance would she take it off? “Yeah.”

“It makes me hot,” declared 8-year-old Yvonne Quian of Redmond. When asked if she is keeping it on anyway, she said “Yeah.”

Most people KIRO 7 talked to say that is at it should be.

“We got the email yesterday saying that they were going to be pretty strict about it,” said Emily George, Effie’s mom, “which I was really relieved. We just want to make sure we don’t get sick.”

And so, here are two pieces of advice.

The snow parks fill up on the weekends by 8:30 in the morning. They turned away 250 vehicles in a two-hour period before 11:00 Saturday morning, so come early.

Also, come prepared to abide by the masking policy. It will stay in effect through the end of the season.

Cox Media Group