RNSC COVID Operation Plan for 2022-23
November 18, 2022
RNSC is keen to have a safe ski-filled winter for all our members, staff, visitors and the Revelstoke community. At this time BC Health regulations do not require the use of masks, vaccine passport checks, or limited gathering numbers. If this changes we will implement what the government recommends.
As the pandemic is still not over and we have a diverse membership, we still encourage members and visitors to respect each other through physical distancing and each other’s personal choice to mask or not.
For the 2022-23 season we are looking forward to welcoming members and the public back into our upstairs space of the lodge. It will be great to see everyone again. However, if the pandemic situation changes we may close the upstairs lodge again for a period of time until we feel it is once again safe for our staff and members. Thank you for your understanding.
Our policies are generated from a mix of beginnings. Some are mandated through government agencies, and some are RNSC specific to prioritize everyone’s safety – all are valid.
Please read all the plans and expectations below as some have been updated from last season. As the pandemic is a dynamic situation keep an open mind and be flexible if these change over the season to match changing circumstances.
Specific Group Plans
For everyone before visiting RNSC
Please do a self-assessment before visiting. If you are showing any signs and/or symptoms of COVID-19 or have recently tested positive, please do not visit our facilities.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include new or worsening:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Loss of sense of smell or taste
- Difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
- Loss of appetite
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Extreme fatigue or tiredness
- Headache
- Body aches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild to severe. Sometimes people with COVID-19 have mild illness, but their symptoms may suddenly worsen in a few days.
Vaccination Requirements
For the 2022-23 season we are implementing vaccine requirements for all staff.
The general public skiing on our trails are not required to be vaccinated.
Masks
On March 10th BC Health lifted the mandated mask policies. The RNSC has followed suit and no longer requires mandatory mask wearing in or around our buildings. Recognizing that mask wearing is now a personal choice we ask that all members and guests respect each other’s choices and continue to physically distance from one another.
RNSC has disposable masks available at strategic places if you prefer to wear one. If you need one and do not see one available please ask the ticket office staff.
Members and Visitors
Actions by members and visitors help keep our trails a safe space for everyone to enjoy cross-country skiing. As we all have different comfort levels, please respect your fellow skier by following all guidelines and posted signage. This starts Day 1 when you drive to the parking lot and ends when the snow is gone. You must also:
- Do a self-assessment for COVID symptoms (see above) EACH time you come to RNSC and stay away if you are syptomatic.
- If you have COVID you must remain away from the ski area and remain away as per the self-assessment and medical guidelines.
- If you are not experiencing COVID but have cold/flu symptoms we ask you not to enter the lodge until symptoms are resolved.
- Physically distance 2m at all times from those not in your group.
- It is preferable that you use hand sanitizer before using any communal touch surfaces.
- Have your dog on a leash as per the guidelines below.
We thank you in advance for your understanding and for being positive if you are reminded about COVID guidelines by staff and/or other members.
Staff
All RNSC staff are double vaccinated. This is for their and your safety. As usual, staff are keen to help and answer questions. Staff will be:
- Available to use the outside window of the Ticket Office to greet people upon request.
- May be masked as per their choice.
- At times wearing a bright vest in the parking lot ready to answer questions and help with parking lot congestion.
- Adhering to 2m physical distancing.
- Regularly cleaning touchpoints and washrooms.
- Reminding folks with cold/flu symptoms to remain outside of the lodge.
Parking Lot
Our parking lots can handle quite a bit of traffic and are only really completely full on event and holiday days. We ask members and visitors alike to please:
- Try to leave a minimal gap between you and the next vehicle as you park. It may get busy while you are skiing!
- Be sure to check the lower lot if the upper lot is full. If both lots are full turn around and come back another time – do not park on the highway.
- Be aware that different members have different pandemic comfort levels. Be sure to give others the 2m distance.
- Check our webcams and website calendar to see when groups/events will be making our area busy.
- Follow any direction our staff or volunteers in high-visibility vests give you.
The Lodge
The upstairs lodge area will re-open to public use again this winter and be accessible 9am-9pm. (Note: Ticket office hours are 9am-4pm except Wednesday and Friday when it is open to 8pm).
We are looking forward to having members and visitors come in and warm up by the fire or have a nice lunch at the tables. However, if you have cold/flu symptoms we ask you to remain outside and come back another day when you are feeling better. We thank you in advance for showing this courtesy to the other patrons and our staff.
Washrooms
The indoor washrooms are accessible while the lodge is open – daily 9am-9pm. Outside of these hours there is the green outhouse by the treeline on the northwest corner of the stadium.
We will no longer be using the signage of “occupied” and “unoccupied”. Please respect other users and do not loiter allowing them space.
Trail Etiquette
Different people have different comfortability levels with the pandemic. We enjoy seeing everyone out skiing and feeling good about being there. Please give everyone you see/pass at least 2m in distance.
Events
RNSC will follow any guidelines set out by our provincial government and health authorities in regards to events. At this time there are no mandatory guidelines. As these guidelines are ever changing with the dynamic situation of the pandemic we will give more details regarding events closer to the event date. We are looking forward to having fun on skis this winter!
Dogs
RNSC welcomes dogs on designated trails. We are proud to offer a space for owners and animals to enjoy winter. So all are comfortable on the trails, there will be no tolerance of dogs who jump on other visitors.
If you are skiing with your dog, you must:
- Have it leashed in the parking lot at all times.
- Have it leashed on Roadway Ramble until the unleash sign after our neighbour’s property, and if you are backcountry touring, ascending and descending the access route.
- Have the dog leashed when crossing Nordic trails if you are snowshoeing.
- Be able to voice command the dog if it is off leash on the dog loop. If not, the dog must remain leashed throughout the trail so it does not interact with other visitors.
Rentals
RNSC will be continuing to offer rentals this season, including free rentals for youth. (If you are part of Ski League, talk to Paula Martens about the seasonal loaners.)
As the lodge is open we will be distributing rentals inside the lodge. If you or your child is on the tail end of being sick we can interact through the ticket office window and bring the rentals to the back deck of the lodge.
Note: We are discontinuing full sanitization of gear after each use.
Closures
The RNSC is governed by BC regulations. As we all know, the pandemic situation changes daily. If we are asked to close our recreational trails we will comply. We will then work with the province as to when we can safely reopen.
RNSC is going to do everything it can to ensure safe skiing this winter, and we thank you for doing your part to help us with this goal.
Ole Sandberg Hut
This hut is under the jurisdiction of Recreation Sites and Trails BC. They post restrictions on the door of the building and will continue to update their signage around the cabin as the winter progresses. Please obey all posted guidelines. This cabin is first come first serve and not open to exclusive use – be welcoming.