As all of us navigate both the vagaries of the COVID-19 environment and Oregon’s approach to it, here are details of Hoodoo’s current 2020-21 season operational plan. This plan is subject to change based on evolving guidance from the state of Oregon and Linn County, but we believe it’s a well-balanced approach for the continued safety and health of Hoodoo guests and employees.
As a family owned and locally operated business, Hoodoo is well positioned to adapt and change procedures quickly. We always want to do our absolute best to create a safe experience for Hoodoo guests and employees while making it as much fun for everyone as humanly possible. Every ski resort in the country is doing its best to keep the slopes open this winter during the COVID-19 pandemic. Working together, we can get through this unprecedented time and still have a great time on the slopes.
Our procedures and policies comply with current OHA guidance and regulations for the safety and well-being of our guests and employees. As part of our mission we seek to ensure the following:
Access to the lodge is limited to 100 people at any time, including employees. You will only be allowed to enter through the front door under the portico and back patio door for the following reasons:
Season Passes – In order to receive the best rate and direct access lift lines, we highly encourage you to purchase season passes in advance. Season pass pickup will be done through the outside ticket window. Access to the inside ticket office will be limited exclusively to season pass holders who need to take a photo.
Lift tickets and AnyCards – All ticket sales, season pass sales, AnyCard redemptions and equipment rental purchases will be done outside at the ticket windows. We highly recommend entering the ticket line dressed in all your gear, ready to access the lift lines.
Parking at Hoodoo this season will not change. We do not anticipate reaching parking lot capacity, but on the rare occasion during peak days when parking has reached the gate, we will ask you to wait patiently in your vehicle until we find a parking spot for you.
Lift Lines & Chairs– Face coverings are required on all chairlifts, specifically in the lift line, loading area and unloading area. Guests should stay with their travelling party and load as a group. Lift attendants will not require guests to ride a chairlift with people they do not know.
Rental, Demo and Tuning Department: The rental department will be open with all our standard rental equipment. All rental equipment will be cleaned and sanitized prior to use. Rental equipment transactions will be made outside at one of our ticket windows.
Ski Rental Equipment – After paying for you rental, please proceed to the back patio breezeway to fill out rental equipment form before entering the lodge for boot fitting. After boot fitting, you will need to exit the lodge and wait for rental equipment to be delivered to you. Please dress accordingly. No personal belongings will be allowed to be kept inside the lodge.
Snowboard Rental Equipment – After paying for your rental, please proceed to the back patio breezeway to fill out rental equipment form. Snowboard equipment rental will take place entirely outside. Please dress accordingly. No personal belongings will be allowed to be kept inside the lodge.
Food and Dining Spaces – We strongly suggest that you plan ahead and utilize your vehicle as your base camp while at Hoodoo. The lodge will have very limited space for inside dining. The restaurant menu will be limited to a grab-and-go selection of our most popular items, including burgers, hot dogs, pizza, chicken strips, fries, etc. Guests will be able to purchase grab-and-go items from an outside window at the northwest corner of the main lodge.
Hoodoo Lounge – We will be serving beverages out of the café window with no consumption of alcohol inside the bar area itself. You can also purchase beverages from the outside at one of our pop-up window stations on the main level when available.
Physical Distancing – Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms lengths) from other people who are not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces. If you are in a crowded space, try to keep 6 feet of space between yourself and others at all times. Please wear a mask. Masks are especially important in times when physical distancing is difficult. Pay attention to any physical guides, such as tape markings on floors or signs on walls, directing attendees to remain at least 6 feet apart from each other in lines or at other times. Allow other people 6 feet of space when you pass by them in both indoor and outdoor settings.
Hoodoo’s Ski & Ride School – The Ski & Ride School will comply with all federal, state and local COVID-19 guidelines. Furthermore, we have adopted the NSAA’s national guidelines at nsaa.org/skiwellbewell. Classes will be limited with only six people per instructor. We have modified the first-time lesson sequence to focus on teaching students to get up unassisted. Instructors will do their best to limit close contact with all participants.
Reservations – The Ski and Ride School will implement a new reservation system beginning Dec. 16. We strongly encourage you to reserve your lesson at least 24 hours in advance. If you do not need rentals, please proceed directly to the Ski & Ride School staging area adjacent Easy Rider Chair Lift where you will receive your lift ticket and be assigned an instructor. Walk-up space may be available, but reservations are encouraged during weekends and holidays. If you book a lesson less than 24 hours before a lesson time, we cannot guarantee rental equipment will be immediately ready and you may need to wait longer to receive your gear.
Group Lessons – Group lessons will be limited to six participants, plus the instructor. All guests will be required to load and unload lifts on their own, without assistance from an instructor. Reservations are highly recommended as we expect long wait times for walk-up guests.
Private Lessons – Reservations are highly recommended as we expect long wait times for walk-up guests.
Mountain Cubs –Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Mountain Cubs will be offered on a limited basis. Also, the lunch add-on option will not be available for either Mountain Cubs or Junior lessons this season.
Ski Rental Equipment with Lesson – If you reserved rental skis with your lesson, you will access equipment upstairs in the new rental staging area (Fire Side Lounge) without waiting in line at the rental desk. A boot fitter will be in the staging area to swap out sizes and appropriately adjust DIN settings on skis.
Snowboard Equipment with Lesson – If you reserved rental snowboards with your lesson, you will access equipment through the windows on the South side of the lodge (bowl side).
Day Care will not be available until further notice.
Ski Patrol Procedures and Protocols –