COVID Policies - Chestnut Mountain Resort

COVID-19 POLICIES

Update on COVID-19 Winter related policies from Chestnut Mountain Resort

As Chestnut Mountain Resort prepares for the upcoming winter season, we understand that you may have an abundance of questions for us. We appreciate your patience for allowing us the time to gather all available data to answer as many of these as possible. Although we do not have all the answers at this point, we will continuously strive to get them all answered ASAP. One thing that can be said for sure is that Chestnut Mountain will be open this winter, however it will look a bit different.

While we begin to prioritize the new operational policies, we want you to know the health and safety of our customers and employees will always be our top priority. We are hopeful to create a safe environment while maintaining the best customer experience you have come to know. We want you to know we did not take any of this planning lightly and that every change that is coming for the 2020/21 season is to help ensure we safely open on time and stay open for the entirety of the season.

The cleaning and sanitation efforts will be thorough and frequent. There will be overall occupancy limitations in all buildings as well as on chairlifts. Face coverings and social distancing will be required in all indoor areas, base areas, lift lines, and on chairlifts. There will be limitations on snow sport lessons offered. We strongly encourage our customers to visit our website for pre-purchased items.

We are doing our part in making Chestnut a safe and enjoyable environment for all who wish to come. However, we also know we cannot do this all on our own. We need your help to make this possible. We ask that you please take these policies seriously, wear your mask, wash your hands and please stay home if you are sick. We understand that some of you may not be comfortable with our current policies and we politely ask you to visit us at a later date when you feel you are more comfortable with our safety measures.

We will continuously update this page as a resource to our customers. We will be monitoring situations and may make changes to policies based on the most current information we have.

On the Mountain

Mandatory physical distancing in all lift lines
Chairlift restrictions that allow only guests who are skiing or riding together to board a lift. Some exceptions include: two singles on opposite ends of a four-person lift
Face coverings will be required in all lift lines and while riding
Hand coverings (gloves/mittens) will be required on all chairlifts
Nastar will not be available for 2020/21 season.

Snow Sports School

Child Lessons

Due to the impact of COVID-19 the Powder Pups Children’s program will not be available for the 2020/21 season.
Children 4-6 years old must take a private lesson (subject to availability)
Limit of 4 traveling related individuals per lesson hour
Face coverings will be required in all indoor areas, base areas, lift lines, while riding lifts and for the entirety of the lesson
Hand coverings (gloves/mittens) will be required on all lifts
Expect significant reduction in lesson availability for the 2020/21 season.

Adult Lessons

Private lessons will be done on a limited basis for the 2020/21 season and are available onsite only.
We will not take advanced registration and will be assigned subject to instructor availability.
Limit of 4 or less people per lesson hour (group must be related or traveling together)
Face coverings will be required in all indoor areas, base areas, lift lines, while riding lifts and for the entirety of the lesson
Hand coverings (gloves/mittens) will be required on all lifts
Expect significant reduction in lesson availability for the 2020/21 season
Expect significant occupancy reduction in snow sports school and Rental Shop

LESSONS OFFERED

Beginner Hill Basic Lessons- new Skiers only

Available times: 9am-11am, 12pm-2pm and 3pm-5pm
Cost is $10
This lesson is designed for entry levels only. It is a progressive station style of teaching which will allow the skier to progress through the lesson.
It will meet at the ski school area and take place on the Bunny Hill and/or Rookies Ridge. You are free to join the lesson at any time during the designated stations.
Please allow ½ hour to complete
If necessary, you may rejoin the lesson during the next session.
Must be 7 years old to participate.

Snowboard Lessons:

Private lessons subject to availability
Please see website for additional options

Rental Shop

Expect significant occupancy reduction in the rental shop for the 2020/21 season
Face coverings will be required in the rental shop
Physical distancing will be mandatory in the rental shop
Equipment will be sanitized between each use.
Limited inside storage will be available

Base Lodges and Restrooms

On January 25, 2021, the state of Illinois reduced the COVID-19 restrictions for restaurants and bars in our area. All of us at Chestnut Mountain Resort are thrilled to see life getting back to normal, however for the foreseeable future, we feel it is best to keep our indoor traffic to a minimum to protect those enjoying Chestnut Mountain Resort for their overnight stay with their family & friends for some winter fun! We will continue to offer our Summit Food & Spirits Room Service Menu for hotel guests and the Grab ‘n Go ticket in Mountain Top Cafe for our day skiers and snowboarders as well as our outdoor food/beverage options when available.

Expect significant occupancy reduction in all Chestnut buildings
Face coverings will be required inside all Chestnut buildings
Physical distancing will be mandatory in all Chestnut buildings
Limited indoor seating availability in Mountain Top Cafe Only
Use your vehicle as your home base! Gear up, Boot up and Warm up there.
Season Pass locker room is closed for the 2020/21 season
There will be no inside storage available in the main lodge.

Sports Shop

Expect significant occupancy reduction in the sports shop
Face coverings will be required inside the sports shop
Physical distancing will be mandatory in the sports shop
No clothing rental

Season Pass and Ticket Office

Pre-purchased tickets and are strongly encouraged for the 2020/21 season
Limit of 1800 daily lift tickets will be available; first come, first purchase
- Passholders & Lodging guests guaranteed access
There will be a special window designated for those who purchased tickets online.
Chestnut Safe & Simple Assurance Plan- We have created the Chestnut Safe & Simple Assurance Plan to ease any concerns you may have about your season pass purchase. This Plan is FREE and comes with any winter season pass you purchase.
- Full Credit~ If the government closes ski areas for the 2020-2021 season due to COVID-19 prior to our opening day, we will provide you a full credit for a 2021-2022 season pass.
- Partial Credit~ We will provide you a partial credit toward a future Season Pass if the season is shut down before February 1, 2021.
- Deferral Plan~ If you purchase or have already purchased a 2020-2021 Season Pass, you can choose to defer the value of your purchase towards a 2020-2021 Season Pass as long as you contact us prior to December 1, 2020. Your deferral can be for any reason and requires no additional fee.
- Winter Pass Refund Policy Defined (Closure Due To Covid-19 Only)
- December 1st – December: Pass holder will only pay for any used tickets. If not used they have the option to defer to next season or get cash refund less the value of lift tickets used.
- January 1st – January 15th: Pass holder will receive a refund of 2/3 the value of any unused Season Pass. Used Season Passes will be prorated by usage.
- January 16th – February 1st: Pass holder will receive a refund of 1/3 the value of any unused Season Pass. Used Season Passes will be prorated by usage.
- February 1st – February 21st: Pass holder will receive a refund of 20% the value of any unused Season Pass. Any used passes will not be refunded.

Upon arrival, we ask that 1 person from your party enter to check-in to the resort for hotel stays to help avoid crowds in the lobby area
We are unable to allow any gatherings in our hotel lobbies or restaurant entry ways.
All employees are required to engage in frequent hand washing
We have hand sanitizer at all public counters
Our staff is instructed to avoid close contact and practice social distancing
Our staff has been instructed to take extra sanitation measures when cleaning public areas and all touch points, including the cleaning of key cards.
Our housekeepers will not enter your hotel room during your stay at our Resort. If you require special service, you may call the hotel front desk and we will be glad to assist you with your needs.
Pool- limited capacity
Hot Tub and Sauna closed due to COVID-19 restrictions