While local alpine ski hills are closed as part of the provincial lockdown that came into effect on Boxing Day,Nordic skiing is open for business at Hardwood Ski & Bike in Oro Station.
The family-oriented local recreation area has plenty of COVID-19 protocols in place, officials say.
“It’s been interesting with trying to make sure we have all our protocols in place. We had short notice to make sure everything was as it should be,” said general manager Gareth Houben.
Protocols include a 15-person limit in the chalet, which is really only open for washroom access. There is no rental equipment available, their retail store is physically closed but available for service over the phone or curbside pick-up, all programing - including lessons - are not permitted, and all guests are screened before arriving at the property.
Essentially, the property is only open for people who want to ski or snowshoe and are bringing their own equipment.
Despite the closure of local ski hills, and other recreational activities being put on hold, Houben says Hardwood isn’t seeing an uptick in users from this time last year.
“Because we are not offering rentals, programs, or some of the other amenities that people are used to in a non-pandemic year, in terms of overall numbers we are still on par with where we normally would be,” he explained.
However, Houben does expect to see new faces at Hardwood this season with the closure of downhill skiing.
“I know some people think we might see those alpine skiers coming Nordic skiing, and I think we will see some of those users, but those users will just make up for the people who won’t be coming here this year because we don’t offer rentals, programs, and all these other things,” he said,
Houben and the staff at Hardwood have been working hard over the past few days to make sure all their protocols and procedures are being strictly followed. So far, everything is running effectively and efficiently, he said.
“We are being very careful to not be overrun here, and so far things are working quite well. If we do see or anticipate higher numbers than we are comfortable with, we will limit the number of users on the property,” he said.
“I’m cautiously optimistic that we won’t need to take that step, but we will if we need to.”
Houben is hoping that Hardwood will be able to offer more than skiing and snowshoeing this winter, but also an opportunity for people to escape the stress and negative mental health impacts of living in a pandemic.
“I think we all know how important it is to get some mental and physical exercise. In the times right now, there is a tremendous amount of stress out there, and people need a way to get some normalcy,” he said.
“We are fortunate to allow people to come and experience the course, get outside, and have a little bit of a break.”
Barrie resident Luke Hayes is a new face at Hardwood this winter, and a beginner to Nordic skiing who decided to take up the sport as a way to stay active during the pandemic.
“I needed something to do. With the pandemic, there isn’t much to do in terms of activities, and having this opportunity is phenomenal,” Hayes told OrilliaMatters on Monday.
Hayes says that while he feels safe participating in Nordic skiing at Hardwood, he would have difficulty going alpine skiing during the pandemic.
“I’ve had no issues here at a cross-country place. I personally would not go to a downhill place, even if it was open - too busy, too many people, the chairlift, it doesn’t seem safe,” he said.
Toronto resident Linda Hilpold has been a regular skier at Hardwood for years and is thrilled to have the opportunity to escape the city and the pandemic while skiing safely in Oro-Medonte Township.
“This is a real treat to be out here. We can keep apart and still get the fresh air and stay healthy,” Hilpold said.
Hilpold says she feels safe participating in Nordic skiing at Hardwood, so long as the protocols and volume of people on the property stays the same over the course of the season.
“Under normal conditions, it can get quite busy here, especially over the weekends and holidays, but on a day like today, and I think the rest of the week, it shouldn’t get too busy,” she said.
Like Hayes, Hilpold is unsure if alpine skiing during the pandemic would be a safe activity to participate in.
“The thing with the downhill is the lifts. When it’s busy, the lineups are quite large, and I always wondered how they are going to keep people apart in the gondola. It’s unfortunate, and I feel for all the skiers and the businesses,” she said.
