Alyeska Ski Club
COVID Operations Plan

COVID-19 POLICY

The health and safety of our members is very important to the Alyeska Ski Club.

We continue to monitor CDC, state and muni health guidelines, as well as our governing bodies – US Ski and Snowboard (USSS), Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association (IFSA) and United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association (USASA). We have put together an Operations Plan for the entire Alyeska Ski Club using known best practices that support physical distancing, sanitization of surfaces, reduced physical points of contact between all persons, and the use of masks when physical distancing is not an option. ASC has also instituted program specific changes, through a variety of approaches, to decrease the probability of transmission of COVID-19 during our activities and to support Alyeska Resort’s operations plan. We have adapted our operating procedures to include updated registration documents, a modified cancellation policy, revised use of our buildings and a declaration of health form that follows best practices for safe COVID-19 management. During this constantly evolving pandemic, we will continue to adjust our protocols as necessary to keep our membership safe and healthy.

US Ski and Snowboard COVID-19 Information »

IN GENERAL, WHAT TO EXPECT

  • ASC will be following CDC, State and Municipal health guidelines and recommendations throughout the season.
  • ASC will be following Alyeska Resort guidelines posted on https://alyeskaresort.com/comfort-safety/.
  • ASC will commit to continually reviewing CDC, State and Municipal health mandates, Alyeska Resort guidelines and US Ski and Snowboard (USSS), Freeskiers and Snowboarders Association (IFSA) and United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association (USASA) guidelines. We will adjust our protocols as necessary to keep our membership safe and healthy.
  • ASC has a COVID-19 Coordinator to oversee the implementation and execution of US Ski and Snowboard’s Best Practices Guidelines and the United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association (USASA) Return to Play Program COVID-19 Competition Guidance.
  • ASC will default to CDC guidelines for items not otherwise addressed.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

FACE MASKS

ASC will follow State, Municipal and Alyeska Resort mandates and policies for mask wearing.

ENSURING HEALTH PROTOCOLS ARE MET

One of US Ski and Snowboard’s requirement is for all ski clubs to employ a COVID-19 Coordinator on site.

This role is 100% COVID-19 related and is the central contact point for all COVID-19 questions and concerns. A list of duties is included in the US Ski and Snowboard COVID-19 Alpine Domestic Competitions Guidance.

Primary roles of the position are to:

  1. Review and stay abreast of the different mandates and governing documents that have nexus with the ski club (CDC, Municipal, State, ski governing bodies, etc.).
  2. Help develop a compliant operations manual for general club operations, travel, competitions, and events.
  3. Help develop and implement protocols to stay in compliance.

The COVID-19 Coordinator is working with our local health authority, Alyeska Resort, and various governing bodies of ski club management (including the US Ski and Snowboard Association, International Freeride Association, US Alpine Sports Association and the Federation of International Skiing) on specific COVID-19 regulations. The COVID-19 Coordinator will continue to develop our operations plans specific to each of our programs (Devos, Mighty Mites, Freeride, Juniors, Alpine X and Masters) since each program has varying governing bodies with distinct compliance requirements.

ASC’s Refund Policy is pro-rated to be as flexible as possible to accommodate various COVID-19 scenarios that may develop over the course of the season.

Programming days lost on account of weather events are not included in assessing days lost on account of COVID-19 closures.  This 2022-23 Refund and Credit Policy specifically addresses ASC’s ability to operate or not as a result of the COVID-19 health crisis.  ASC’s standard refund policy continues to apply with respect to voluntary or injury-related withdrawals from the program.

JUNIORS, FREERIDE AND ALPINE X –

  • If ASC is forced to cease operations completely during the 2022/23 season, members will be eligible for reimbursement of all unused and paid individual program training fees.
  • Membership dues and RTC fees of $140 per athlete are non-refundable.

MIGHTY MITES, DEVOS & MASTERS –

  • If ASC does not operate at all during the 2022-23 season, members will be eligible for 100% paid individual program fees reimbursement.
  • If ASC commences on-snow operations but then must cease operations for the remainder of the season before January 1, 2023, members will be eligible for 75% paid individual program fee reimbursement, in the form of a 50% refund and a 25% credit toward the family’s following year’s program fees.
  • If ASC commences on-snow operations but then must cease operations for the remaining season during the month of January 2023, members will be eligible for 50% paid individual program fee reimbursement, including a 25% refund and a 25% credit toward the family’s following year’s program fees.
  • If ASC commences on-snow operations, but then must cease operations during the month of February 2023, members will be eligible for a 25% credit toward the family’s following year’s program fees.
  • If ASC commences on-snow operations, but then must cease operations during the month of March 2023, members will not be eligible for a refund or credit.

In the event that Alyeska Resort delays opening due to COVID-19, or ASC starts the season later than scheduled, the membership will be provided with a revised policy.

DAILY PRACTICE IN GENERAL

  • ASC will strive to maintain 6 – 8 athletes per group.
  • ASC’s younger groups should use more terrain based training.
  • ASC will enact staggered start/lunch/end times to manage the number of groups on the hill and in lift lines.
  • ASC will offer more and longer mid-week training blocks for Juniors, Freeride and Alpine X when possible.