BANFF – With capacity limits at the popular ski destination Sunshine Village were promptly introduced last weekend, the Banff ski resort expects to turn away half of its guests driving in on busy days.
But the change won't slash any jobs with this season's staff, said a resort spokesperson.
On Sunday (Nov. 22), Sunshine began implementing new restrictions on capacity at the ski hill by turning away vehicles once its parking lot is full in an effort to encourage further social distancing.
A day prior, a video was uploaded and circulated on social media at the entrance of Sunshine Village with large crowds waiting in line to buy tickets and to ride up the gondola.
"Our goal is just to stay open and give people a place to play," said Kendra Scurfield, brand and communications director. "As we were looking at that [video], we wanted to make sure we were able to make sure we're maintaining social distancing throughout the resort and that is what helped us decide to limit our parking lot capacity."
This will continue throughout the season as Tuesday's (Nov. 24) provincial announcement doesn't effect outdoor recreation, meaning ski hills will remain open. The new restrictions for retail and restaurant providers, however, would apply to those uses on the hill.
Sunshine Village is still running its shuttle buses at its current schedule with strict COVID measures in effect.
SUNSHINE UPDATE: (1 of 2)
— Sunshine Village (@SunshineVillage) November 22, 2020
Starting today, we at Banff Sunshine Village will be limiting capacity, in an effort to further encourage social distancing, to our resort by turning away cars once our parking lot is full.
SUNSHINE UPDATE (2 of 2)
— Sunshine Village (@SunshineVillage) November 22, 2020
We will continue to run our Sunshine Express Shuttle Bus at its current schedule and encourage our guests and team members to ride our Sunshine Express Shuttle Bus as masks are mandatory on our busses, and we disinfect all our busses daily.
With fewer guests expected to be carving up the hills at the Banff National Park ski resort, Scurfield said it won't cause staff layoffs.
"What we're finding out is that operating a resort in COVID times is taking more resources than we initially accounted for, so we do have more positions and we are still hiring," said Scurfield. "No one will be laid off and no jobs will be affected as a result of the decision we made."
In a September interview with the Outlook, Scurfield estimated that Sunshine staffing levels would be at approximately 500 to 560 this season.
Throughout the ski scene, local resorts Mt. Norquay, adjacent to the Banff townsite, and Nakiska in Kananaskis Country, implemented a capacity limitation before opening.
"From the beginning, we have required all day skiers to purchase a lift ticket in advance online," said Matt Mosteller, senior vice president, marketing and resort experience in an email. "This has provided us from the start of the ski season to limit if needed."
At Lake Louise Ski Resort, in Banff National Park, no capacity limitations are being put into place, but the ski resort isn't ruling it out.
"We don't have the same challenges other resorts do. We have an exceptionally large parking area at the ski resort that can accommodate even on our busiest days more than enough vehicles," said Dan Markham, Lake Louise Ski Resort’s communication director. "If we have to, we'll make accommodations and we'll put some restrictions or limits in place."
Local ski resorts are also reminding guests that wearing masks and following Alberta Health Service guidelines and protocols are being enforced.
"If you choose not to wear a mask, or don't want to follow the rules, then you're not welcome at the resort," said Markham. "People need to understand that for their safety, the safety of other guests and the safety of our staff, and the ability to keep the resort open for the whole season, it depends on people following the rules. Otherwise, we may have a situation where resorts may not stay open the whole season."
