Winter Sports: What to Expect
By: Ryan Loeffler
Tags: Sports, Outdoors, Covid 19, Featured, Recreation

With an increasing number of cases due to the possible second wave of COVID-19, ice skating rinks and ski and snowboard slopes already have plans in place to ensure both the safety of their patrons and staff and that fun can still be had this winter.

“There is going to be social distancing,” said Randi Gass, Program Specialist at Victor Constant Ski Area in West Point. “We’re trying to eliminate touch points.”

Face coverings will be required upon arrival to Victor Constant at all times, especially when inside all buildings and locker rooms.

Kids taking snowboarding lessons at Victor Constant Ski Area last winter. — Photo courtesy of Christine Retcho.

A notable change that goes into effect this winter will be their rental system. Victor Constant is recommending that patrons arrive in their full gear, but if they choose to rent, they recommend purchasing a seasonal rental so that the equipment will be ready for them upon arrival.

At Kiwanis Ice Arena in Saugerties, equipment rental, mainly skates, is prohibited for the time being. According to their COVID-19 operating procedures listed on their website, “ALL players MUST enter the Kiwanis Ice Arena completely dressed (minus: helmets, skates and gloves).”

Kiwanis is also encouraging patrons to wear face coverings at all times while inside and are only requiring them when six-foot social distancing cannot be maintained. The facility will limit capacity to 50 percent of its maximum capacity.

Kiwanis Ice Arena in Saugerties, N.Y. — Photo courtesy of Kiwanis Ice Arena.

In regards to sanitization, Kiwanis said that “frequently touched surfaces will be sanitized using an approved cleaning product registered in New York State and identified by the EPA as effective against COVID-19.” This will be done before each day starts and before each scheduled group arrives.

Bear Mountain Ice Rink is also limiting capacity to 50 percent, and they are an outdoor venue. Located in Tompkins Cove in Rockland County, they are requiring that face coverings are worn at all times, even while social distancing.

According to their website, they are also prohibiting indoor seating and locker use. “Please bring a bag for your belongings,” they said.

Nicole Ranaldi takes a spill on the ice at Bear Mountain Ice Rink in 2019. — Photo courtesy of Nicole Ranaldi.

Even larger mountains have plans to ensure their patrons have a fun, yet safe, winter season. Hunter Mountain in Hunter put a reservation system in place for the season.

“To allow for physical distancing, we are managing access to our mountains through a reservation system that prioritizes pass holders and by limiting lift ticket sales,” their official website said. “We’ve designed an approach that can remain in place all winter so that you know what to expect and you’re not caught off guard.”

Hunter Mountain is also requiring face coverings along with pre-arrival health screenings, implementing cashless transactions, and limiting class sizes in regards to lessons. They are providing hand sanitizing stations throughout the resort.

They have a similar protocol to Victor Constant when it comes to chair lifts. People can ride the lifts solo or with the people they arrive with, only. On larger lifts, they will separate two singles on opposite ends.

Even the winter hunting season could be affected. The season can range from late-September through late-January. With cases continuing to increase, a second shutdown is looming.

“If a second shutdown happens, it will affect hunting,” said Montgomery native Michaela Gironda. “Hunting has become a huge part of people’s lives in regards to being a source of food. If a second shutdown happens, it will cause more people to hunt and there will be a lesser supply of animals.”

Jaden Breyette of Washingtonville out on a hunt. Photo courtesy of Michaela Gironda.

Gironda also went on to say that the pandemic affected how she hunts. She went on to say that she can no longer hunt with larger groups of people like she used to and that the regulations on hunting may have changed.

“I’m not sure on that, though,” said Gironda.