As warm weather slowly cools down, and a light morning frost returns once again, it is now time for Winter season, but this time it looks a bit different. Now that social distancing and masks are a necessity due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, one can start to wonder if snow activities like skiing and snowboarding are still safe to do.

The answer to this question depends on certain factors. It obviously depends on the lodge or resort, but if hand sanitizer, masks, and social distancing is a rule guests must follow it is most likely safe. Most resorts offer a cafeteria with hundreds of tables and chairs, as well as food. Anyone who has been skiing or snowboarding probably knows how crowded and packed these places can get for a majority of the time they are open. Amidst the pandemic, this would be one of the worst places to be.

Most lodges offer rentals for gear like helmets, boots, googles, and more. It probably wouldn’t matter as much if they only rented boards and skis, but the fact that necessary equipment like helmets and boots would need to be unavailable to rent. To be as safe as possible, rentals should probably be unavailable all together.

Being on the mountain would probably be the safest part of snow sports from a Covid safe standpoint. Apart from maybe the small chance of colliding, people would be 6 feet apart for a majority of the time. Ski-lifts would definitely be a problem, because it would tightly pack people onto a lift that hundreds of others would have used already, but without them there would be no way to get up a mountain. As long as Ski lifts are separated by family or party, there really isn’t a big apparent problem.

Overall, the sport of snowboarding and skiing itself is most likely safe. However, this is good news for regular skiers and snowboarders with their own gear and practice, and not so good for families traveling to have winter fun. Rentals, cafeterias, and lodges all together would have to be closed, which may be a deal-breaker for most families with younger children. Either way, speeding down a snow-covered mountain can still be enjoyed this year if the right precautions are taken.