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Ski areas plan new COVID protocols

With no school on Veterans Day, families are headed to Snoqualmie Pass to sled on the ski hill, getting a first taste of the unusual season ahead.

“Fingers crossed that we can safely ski,” said Jennifer Christensen, who along with her pandemic “pod,” brought a fire pit and made plans to stay out of the lodge as much as possible this year.

“We’re going to make our own lodge out here and make it safe,” she said.

The coronavirus cut short the last ski season.

Now, with fall snow piling up, Crystal Mountain plans to open sometime next week with new protocols.

“Staying safe is what’s going to help us stay open,” said Crystal’s president, Frank DeBerry.

DeBerry said they’re still working through state guidelines on how to load chairlifts.

Mostly, people who rode to the mountain together will ride together on the chair.

Crystal is adding lots of outdoor dining and will sell only day tickets online to limit crowds.

“We have a reservation system for passholders lined up. But at the moment, we don’t think we’ll need it,” DeBerry said.

The Summit at Snoqualmie produced a video reminding people to wear a face mask and come up on the weekdays if possible.

The coronavirus has some people opting out.

Fiorini Ski School wrote on its website that it won’t operate at all this season.

The Balkman family used to have season passes.

“This year, we just decided not to because of the uncertainties with COVID-19,” Geoff Balkman said.

They still plan to ski, just not as often.

“Hopefully, we can at least get some skiing in and keep it safe,” said Akasha Balkman.