Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1314457
L ong-beloved resort Northstar California, like the rest of the Lake Tahoe ski areas, shut down last spring when the impact of COVID- 19 became apparent. Suddenly skiing, snowboarding, tubing and ice skating, along with the rest of life as we knew it, were off limits, creating a void in many people's lives. Perhaps one silver lining to this altered way of living is a renewed appreciation for the great outdoors and a determination to find ways to safely enjoy physical activity in beautiful surroundings. Vail Resorts CEO Rob Katz, who manages Northstar, acknowledges the pent-up demand for getting back on the mountain and explains the new process for ensuring guests' safety in a recent letter to the public. "Dear Guests, There is nothing I am looking forward to more than being back on the moun- tain, back on snow, back on skis—and I know I am not alone. Each summer, we all wait patiently for the return of winter, and this year more than ever, we need it. We need to reconnect with the outdoors, we need to feel normal and energized as we carve down the mountain with crisp alpine air in our faces. That has always been our mission as a company: to provide guests with an experience of a lifetime at our resorts. And we have always known that safety needs to be the underpinning of how we provide that experience. This year, our commitment to safety takes on more importance than ever. We are fortunate that our core experience of skiing and riding takes place outdoors, across huge moun- tains, offering fresh air and wide-open spaces for our guests. However, to help pro- tect our guests, our employees and our communities amid this pandemic, some changes will be required this season." To that end, face coverings will be required on the mountain, physical dis- tancing will be promoted, and health screenings will be conducted. (Complete information can be found on the Northstar website.) NORTHSTAR CALIFORNIA RESORT Tr u c k e e , C a l i f o r n i a B Y S A B R I N A S P E I D E L D E S T I N A T I O N S C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 1 181 Photos: Courtesy of Vail Resorts