Western Canadians tired of isolating themselves at home are filling the slopes at mountain ski resorts that have opened earlier than usual despite worries about surging cases of COVID-19.
Two Banff National Park resorts have had their earliest openings on record thanks to the combination of abundant snowfall and the cold temperatures needed for machine-made snow.
Ski areas have been focused on how to operate safely with the COVID-19 pandemic since being closed last March in the initial pandemic lockdowns, with many fine-tuning procedures during their summer hiking and biking seasons.
Ski areas are generally requiring guests to wear face masks while lining up, riding the ski lifts, and warming up indoors to control the spread of coronavirus. Rules vary on how many people are allowed on chair lifts and gondolas and whether you can buy tickets at the resort.
Recent surges of COVID-19 cases in Alberta have prompted suggestions that a general lockdown similar to the one that closed ski resorts in March be reimposed.
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Healthline: Coronavirus Mask Guide