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Hello Highland Family,

We’ve been laying low for the last week while we waited for finalized approval to open the park at the end of May. Good news: we have approval! We are officially moving forward with opening the park to 2020 season pass holders on May 27th and to the general public on May 28th, with some restrictions.

New guidelines will be in place across the mountain in light of COVID-19. Please read all of the following information closely so that you are aware of exactly how Highland operations will be adjusted this season. (We’ll also be keeping the Highland How-To Guide updated with any and all changes.)

On Wednesday, May 27th we will be open to current season pass holders only. You must have a season pass to ride. Season passes can be purchased online here.

Starting on Thursday, May 28th, we will be open to the public, with some restrictions. All day pass sales must be processed online. Only a very limited number of day passes will be available. You must reserve your day pass online in advance in order to ride. Online day pass sales will go live at 5pm on Tuesday, May 26th.

Why are we keeping it so tight? Simple: we’ve never had to operate under these circumstances before. And though we’ve spent a lot of time speculating (like, a lot of time) we can’t foresee every possible scenario. So, we’re giving ourselves these first several days to test the waters, adjust to the new guidelines, and develop a better sense of what Highland looks like in the time of COVID-19. Please understand that these changes are necessary to meet state and CDC guidelines. As we get more comfortable, we’ll reassess and raise our daily cap to welcome more riders to the mountain safely and efficiently.

COVID-19 Policy Changes:

  • All sales will be conducted online whenever possible. 
    • Passes: All passes must be purchased here. Walk-up purchases will not be available.
    • Rentals: Rentals and demos can be reserved here.
    • Lessons: Find Your Ride lessons can be reserved here. Call (603) 286-7677 or email training@highlandmountain.com to book private and semi-private lessons.
    • Highland Pub: Orders can be placed at the walk-up window located on the back porch, or online here. (Online ordering link coming soon.)
  • We’ve had to make some updates to the 2020 waiver in light of the new guidelines. You will need to fill out this updated waiver before you ride. This new waiver is not yet online: we’ll make an announcement when it becomes available.
  • We’ll be asking you a series of standard screening questions when you arrive, to ensure that you are not/have not been in contact with someone exhibiting signs of COVID-19.
  • Customers are required to wear masks wherever social distancing of more than six feet is not possible. For example, you will be asked to wear a mask whenever you are inside one of our buildings, but will not be required to wear a mask when you are riding on the trails.
  • We will be implementing social distancing in all common areas of the mountain. Anticipate keeping six feet apart in the Welcome Center, lift line, bike shop, etc. Spacing will be marked clearly, and we thank you in advance for adhering to those markers.

Rider Responsibilities:

  • Wear a cloth mask covering your mouth and nose whenever you’re in close proximity to others.
  • Bring a day’s worth of water with you if possible. (Bottled water will be available for sale. Water fountains are unfortunately closed, and our staff cannot provide refills.)

Some Silver Linings:

  • We increased our lift capacity by 50% this year, so even though we now have to implement social distancing, the lift line isn’t really going to be any slower than you’re used to. (And just imagine how fast it’s going to seem in 2021!)
  • Because we had to postpone opening, we skipped right over spontaneous mud pit season. (Good riddance.) Trails are dialed in and conditions look good.
  • In order to make up for those first few weekends of riding we missed, we’ve decided to forget spring altogether and jump straight into summer hours. As soon as we open, we will be open seven days a week. Skip your Zoom meetings and come ride!
  • We can still ride. There’s a lot of legitimate uncertainty, fear, and mourning happening in the world right now. But we still have our bikes, and our trails, and our friends. We have the resources to wear masks and keep a safe distance to help protect each other while still doing what we love. We can still ride. And we’re going to!
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We’re incredibly excited to finally be able to open! We appreciate your patience and support as we work out the bugs and adjust to our new reality. It’s going to be an unusual season for sure, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a good one. We’re all on this ride together!

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Can I ride at Highland if I’m not a NH resident?
    • Yes. If you are a season pass holder, you may show up to ride any day. If you are not a season pass holder, you must reserve a day pass online in advance. Day pass availability is limited, and walk-up passes will not be available. Reserve your pass online here. (Online passes will go live at 5pm on Tuesday, May 26th.)
  • Will you seriously ask me to leave if I’m not wearing a mask?
    • The State of NH has issued very clear guidelines for mask use in businesses classified as attractions. (That’s us!) You must wear a mask inside any buildings and when you’re within six feet of others. If you forget your mask, we will have some extras on hand courtesy of the State of NH. However, please make every effort to come prepared.
  • Does a full-face helmet count as a mask?
    • No, it does not. 
  • What does this mean for summer camps?
    • We don’t have a clear answer regarding summer camp operations yet, but we’re working on it!
  • When does Wednesduro start?
    • Wednesduro starts on June 3rd.

 

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