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Outdoors enthusiasts are counting the days until Laurentian Ski Hill is open for the season after the pandemic and warm weather late last winter resulted in one of the popular amenity's shortest seasons in recent memory.
In a recent update, officials share the beginner hill at Laurentian will open to the public first, beginning Monday, Dec. 27 and Tuesday, Dec. 28 from 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Slingshot will follow, slated to open Wednesday, Dec. 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with the remaining runs to follow subject to weather and conditions.
Squirrels and Chipmunks holiday camp is on track for Dec. 27–31 while the new dates of Dec. 29–31 and Jan 3–4, 2022 have been released for Adventure and Grom camps.
See related: Laurentian Ski Hill, under new management, has potential year-round tourism opportunities
Whether skiers and snowboarders are out on the beginner hill next week or wait for more runs to open as the new year approaches, Laurentian Ski Hill has put protocols in place for the health and safety of all guests and employees:
"We are implementing stringent health and safety protocols to ensure the hill is operational to the standards we expect to provide our riders with access to the hill uninterrupted. We strongly believe these stringent protocols are required to reduce the risk for disruption and for the protection of our community."
Laurentian Ski Hill has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy. All individuals over the age of 12, born in 2009 or earlier, will be required to show proof of vaccination to access any outdoor or indoor facilities. This includes all users, employees, coaches, volunteers, visitors, and contractors age 12 or older.
Proof of an enhanced vaccination record is required to purchase a pass or for access to the lodge. All user groups of the hill are expected to comply with this requirement which applies to users of the hill regardless of whether they enter the chalet or not.
In observing provincial guidelines, masks are required at all times, whether indoors, in lift lines or while on the lift. Masks must be worn at all times in the lodge or café, except when eating or drinking. Guests can also expect an enhanced check-in process and adherence to capacity rules for both the upper and lower lodges.
As part of its COVID-19 safety protocols, Laurentian Ski Hill notes, "Masks are not required outdoors when distancing is easily achieved, but we do ask all riders to wear a mask when lining up or riding the quad lift or when within two metres of another individual who is not part of their household."
