Two Northern Ontario ski hills are telling southern Ontario residents they are not welcome at their facilities while the lockdown continues in the southern part of the province.
All ski hills in Ontario have been shut down due to the COVID-19 provincial lockdown, which started on Dec. 26.
Currently, the lockdown is due to be lifted in Northern Ontario on Jan. 9, meaning ski hills in this area of the province will be allowed to reopen. The lockdown will remain in place in the rest of the province for another two weeks, as will ski hill closures in southern Ontario.
Boogie Mountain Ski Hill, a community downhill ski facility in Espanola, put out a notice about the issue on its Facebook page Monday.
The notice says that during the provincial lockdown in southern Ontario, Boogie Mountain Ski Hill will only be accepting patrons from Greater Sudbury, Nairn Centre, Webbwood, McKerrow, Espanola, Massey and Manitoulin Island. Proof of residence will be required for all day-pass purchases for each person, the notice said.
The ski hill said it will re-evaluate this measure when the province-wide shutdown is lifted.
“In accordance with the province’s current COVID-19 response framework, it is advised that non-essential travel from areas of high transmission to areas of low transmission should be avoided,” said Boogie Mountain Ski Hill.
The ski hill also said people will be required to wear face masks over their nose and mouth on all areas of the property.
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Laurentian Ski Hill in North Bay has also put in place similar measures.
"In accordance with the province’s current COVID-19 response framework, it is advised that non-essential travel from areas of high transmission to areas of low transmission should be avoided," a Laurentian Ski Hill release stated on its Facebook page.
"During the provincial lockdown in southern Ontario, Laurentian Ski Hill will only be accepting patrons from the North Bay Parry Sound district and districts north of Sudbury/North Bay when we reopen. Proof of residence will be required for all day-pass purchases."
Officials at the local ski hill say they will reevaluate this measure when the province-wide shutdown is lifted.
The ski hill has continued making snow during the lockdown and is scheduled to open Jan. 9 with great conditions.
So far, Greater Sudbury’s two ski hills, Adanac Ski HIll and Lively Ski Hill, have not communicated any similar rules about residency requirements.
– Sudbury.com
