Covid-19 Operational Updates: Winter 2020/21

As Windham Mountain adapts winter operations due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the health and safety of Windham guests and staff remains sharply in focus. It is important to stress that many operational areas will function very differently than past seasons – this will not be “business as usual”.  Guests are expected and encouraged to read all information below before planning your visit to Windham Mountain during winter 2020/21. Masks are required on property.  Please review current CDC guidance on masks.

IF YOU ARE TRAVELING TO WINDHAM MOUNTAIN FROM OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK, PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT GUIDANCE BEFORE YOUR VISIT: In response to increased rates of COVID-19 transmission in certain states within the United States, and to protect New York’s containment of COVID-19, the State has joined with New Jersey and Connecticut in jointly issuing a travel advisory for anyone returning from travel to states that have a significant degree of community-wide spread of COVID-19.  Please read the guidance carefully and check regularly, as this guidance is subject to frequent update and change.  Out of State guests must complete a traveler health form prior to arrival. [mandatory quarantine guidance] [traveler health form]

Please click on a topic below or scroll to view all topics.

Pre-arrival:

Please plan ahead for your visit to Windham Mountain by understanding that capacity restrictions will be in place and on-site ticket purchase will not be available on capacity-restricted days.  Please see our “red day” and “green day” capacity restriction calendar before you visit and plan accordingly.  Please plan to purchase your lift tickets in advance via windhammountain.com.  Tickets may also be obtained through the purchase of “ski and stay” packages or lodging reservations via windhammountain.com or Windham central reservations at: 518-734-3000. [red and green day capacity calendar] 

Tickets are available now!

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Lodging and ticket availability:

If you are planning to stay overnight in the area, we recommend booking your lodging through windhammountain.com or by calling 518-734-3000.  Preferred ticketing rates apply to those who book through us and stay with us for short-term vacations. When making vacation reservations, please plan ahead by including lift tickets in your purchase – advanced purchase of lift tickets is required for “red days” with capacity restrictions.  Many third-party lodging properties, long term rentals and Airbnb units in the area will not have lift ticket availability and on-site lift tickets will not be sold at the mountain during red days.  It is imperative that guests plan ahead by purchasing necessary tickets through windhammountain.com. We expect that many days will sell out, at which point no additional tickets will be offered.  Avoid disappointment by planning ahead!  [book lodging] [Read about our Covid-19 protocols in our lodging operation.]

Tickets are available now!

 

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The arrival experience:

Indoor lodge capacity will be significantly restricted to 50% occupancy during the season and we ask for guest cooperation by adhering to strict social distancing measures.  Please plan to dress and “boot up” at your vehicles.  No changing rooms, lockers or cubbies will be available in the base lodge and no bags or personal belongings may be left in the building.  We recommend that parties traveling together stop in a lot to dress and prepare for drop off. Then, the vehicle driver should proceed to the drop off location, to deliver skiers and riders ready for the slopes.  Finally, the driver should park the car and plan to meet the rest of the traveling party at a location of your choosing.   Valet parking will also be available on peak days. Please plan for minimal time in the lodge – a mask will be required at all times in any building.  Restricted capacity and traffic flow measures for rest rooms and other indoor venues will be enforced. Enhanced air handling and filtration system will be implemented inside the Base Lodge.  Ticket kiosks will be available for the redemption of first-time lift ticket purchases through windhammountain.com. Please have your email confirmation available, either printed or on a phone.  QR codes on the confirmation emails may be scanned at self-service ticket kiosks.  Guests having re-loaded tickets onto RFID cards via windhammountain.com may proceed directly to the lift.

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“Cashless” Transactions:

In the interest of Guest and Employee Safety, Windham Mountain is moving to “cashless” transactions this winter.  Credit/debit cards, Windham Gift Cards, along with options to set up “resort charge” on season passes and RFID cards, or load money onto these products are all options for payment.  If a guest only has cash available, currency may be placed onto a gift card at “Tickets and Passes” located in the lower level of the base lodge.

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Windham Season Passes:

Capacity restrictions for Windham Mountain season passholders are not anticipated at this time. Windham Mountain passes are subject to standard restrictions and exclusions, such as black out dates for Sunday through Friday passes such as all Saturdays, December 26-31, 2020; Sunday, January 17, 2021; Sunday, February 14, 2021.  All Windham Mountain season passes are “direct to lift” after initial purchase/pickup or reload of a previous season pass.

If you have any questions or need assistance with issues regarding tickets, please visit one of the ticketing windows outside.

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Ikon Passes:

Ikon Passholders will be required to use the Ikon pass reservations portal when making plans to visit Windham Mountain any available day of the 2020/21 winter season.  Please note that capacity restrictions will be in place and some days may not be available. With a valid reservation, Ikon passholders may proceed directly to the lift with their pass – a separate lift ticket is not required. Ikon Base pass holders get 5 days subject to blackout at Windham Mountain, while full Ikon pass holders get 7 unrestricted days. If an Ikon passholder has reserved a “friends and family” ticket for accompanying guests, these tickets must be picked up at any ticket window and the Ikon passholder must be present.

The Ikon Pass Reservations System is now “live”.  To make reservations, please log into your Ikon Pass account here:  https://account.ikonpass.com/en/login 

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Rentals:

Rentals are now available online.

Advanced reservations for rental equipment will be required.  No on-site purchase of rental equipment will be available. Quantities will be strictly limited to allow ample social distancing within the shop. Reservation arrival times will be strictly enforced and rental shop capacity limitations will be in place.

We highly recommend booking our Beginner Package  (lift, lesson and rental for ages 10 and up)  as it offers the best rates for those looking to get into skiing/riding.

If you are just purchasing rentals (no package), be sure to purchase a ticket as well. 

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Snow Sports School:

Group lessons and Private lessons are available for the winter season for both skiing and snowboarding.  Advance reservations are required for all lessons and can be made online beginning in early November. Group lessons are available for ages 7 and up, and Private lessons are available for all ages.  Space is limited. Face coverings are required for all participants and instructors throughout the lesson, except for actively skiing or snowboarding and when physical distancing guidelines can be readily achieved. Meeting areas are reconfigured to promote physical distancing guidelines. Group sizes are limited. The “Open Learning Environment” for first-time skiers and snowboarders has been suspended in favor of small group lessons. Decisions regarding specialty clinics will be forthcoming.

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Children’s Learning Center:

The Children’s Learning Center facility will be closed for winter 2020/21. No children’s programs will be offered with indoor “playcare” and all offered lessons will meet outside the building on snow. Day care and nursery facilities will not operate this winter season. The Wooly Bear Club will not operate this season. If you have signed up for The Wooly Bear Club, a representative will be contacting you to discuss alternate options for programming. Group lessons for children are available for ages 7 to 12 for skiing and snowboarding. Private lessons are available for children 6 and under; parents are encouraged to attend private lessons and required to be nearby. Advance reservations are required for all lessons and can be made online. Space is limited. Meeting areas are reconfigured to promote physical distancing guidelines. Face coverings are required for all participants and instructors throughout the lesson, except for actively skiing or snowboarding and when physical distancing guidelines can be readily achieved.

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Food & Beverage:

We anticipate significant changes to the food and beverage operations at Windham Mountain for winter 2020/21, including:

  • Required advanced reservations for both Seasons Restaurant (via spoton and available for 1 hour reservations “day of” only) and Tavern 23 (via the Resy app) – both of which will be capacity-restricted
  • We plan to operate all existing venues with modifications to adhere to NY State guidance
  • We are planning for more “grab and go” items
  • Reduced venue capacities
  • More outdoor dining options – including additional food trucks on the back patio
  • Patio heaters and heated benches to enhance outdoor seating options
  • Guest “temperature checks” will be required when entering Seasons, Tavern 23 and The Club.

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Group Sales:

Group skiing and snowboarding reservations may be made in advance for unrestricted “green days”.  There are no group reservations available on capacity-restricted “red days.”  To reach our group sales office, please email sales@windhammountain.com or call 518-734-4300 x 1133

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Sunset Skiing:

Sunset skiing and riding will not be offered during winter 2020/21.  Lift hours will be 8am to 4pm on weekends and holidays and 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday. We realize that this may be disappointing to some of our guests – we ask for your patience and understanding.  Sunset skiing has been a decreasing part of Windham’s business over the years, due primarily to the elimination of after school programs over time.  A combination of staffing challenges, along with necessary time for sanitation of indoor facilities, has necessitated the elimination of sunset skiing this year.  No decision has been made about Sunset skiing beyond winter 2020/21 at this time.

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Adventure Park:

The Adventure Park is anticipated to operate mid-December to mid-March, Fridays from 5-8pm, Saturdays from 11am to 8pm and Sundays 11am to 4pm, with additional holiday hours. 3-hour sessions will be available.  Additional capacity restrictions and operational changes will be in place with the well-being of guests and staff in focus. Click here for more information.

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The 3500 Club:

We do not anticipate seasonal parking changes for 3500 Club members, however we do anticipate significant changes to the operation of our seasonal locker room.  Among the changes are: Masks required at all times, no boots in lockers, no changing in locker rooms (arrive to locker room with ski clothing and boots on), 5-minute maximum when in locker room.  For a complete list of changes, visit our seasonal locker page.

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Season Long Programs:

All Children’s and Adult Seasonal Instruction Programs are being offered this season.  Meeting areas are reconfigured to promote physical distancing guidelines. Program start times are being staggered to promote physical distancing guidelines. Face coverings are required for all participants and instructors throughout the lesson, except for actively skiing or snowboarding and when physical distancing guidelines can be readily achieved. Group sizes are limited. Program participants will receive detailed information on start times and meeting areas in advance of the season. Participants in Mini-Mountaineers will always ride the chairlift with a Windham Mountain employee and will wear provided vests that will facilitate low-contact assistance in loading and unloading chairlifts.

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Windham Race Factory:

All Windham Race Factory programs are being offered this season.  Meeting areas are reconfigured to promote physical distancing guidelines. Program start times are being staggered to promote physical distancing guidelines. Face coverings are required for all participants and instructors throughout the lesson, except for actively skiing and when physical distancing guidelines can be readily achieved. Program participants will receive detailed information on start times and meeting areas in advance of the season.  Races, event schedules, and travel protocols will be forthcoming.

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On Mountain / Lift Operations / Slope Etiquette:

Face coverings and masks will be required to ride lifts, as well as during your stay both indoors and outdoors – with the exception of during active skiing and riding. Please review current CDC guidance on masks. Capacity restrictions will in place on lifts. We will be loading parties that travel to Windham together, otherwise capacity will be restricted to 4 people per six passenger (2 pairs on either side of chair), 2 per quad or 1 per triple or double chair. Social distancing measures will be in place in all lift lines.

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Alpine Spa:

  • The door of the Spa will remain closed at all times. Always call to make an appointment or if you have any questions.
  • Once you arrived for your service, call the Spa from your car and we will welcome you in.
  • Guests will be invited directly into the treatment room for their service.
  • All guests are required to wear a face mask that covers their nose and mouth to enter the Spa.
  • During massage session all massage therapists will be wearing a face mask and a face shield.
  • All steam rooms, saunas and showers will be closed.
  • The relaxation room will not be used as a lounge area. Waiting areas will be closed.
  • The lockers will not be offered to customers.
  • The robes will not be provided for changing.
  • There will be no yoga this winter season of 2020-2021.
  • Our menu with limited selection is available here.

If you have any questions regarding our adjustments, please do not hesitate to contact us at 518-310-2729 or at alpinespa@windhammountain.com.

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Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

    • Q: Will the Windham Village Shuttle operate this season?
    • A: No, operation of the Windham Village shuttle will be suspended for 2020/21, so all guests should plan for individual transportation to/from the ski area and town.
    • Q: Will Triple Play tickets be available for winter 2020/21?
    • A: No – Triple Play tickets will not be offered for winter 20/21. A “Green Day 3-Play” ticket pack will be available for a 3-pack of green-day-only tickets
    • Q: Will open-ended tickets be available through outlets such as Costco, Entertainment Benefits Group, or area ski shops?
    • A: No – all 3rd party ticket outlets will be limited, offering only “green day” tickets in some cases.
    • Q: Will you offer a Snow Guarantee for winter 2020/21?
    • A: Yes – however program details have changed.  Please see our Snow Guarantee page. 
    • Q: When do you anticipate having daily tickets, rentals, lessons and ticket packages available for on-line sale?
    • A: All products are currently available for sale.

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