“Research is showing that being outside in a mountain environment can boost our immune systems as well as our mental health and well-being”, Florence Williams, The Nature Fix: How Being in Nature Can Make us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative.
Autumn officially begins today September 22, and we are anxiously looking forward to the start of the winter season. There is nothing I desire more than being back on the mountain, on my skis.
After 7 months of waiting, the Alpine Ski World Cup will be back reminding us it's time to put our skis back on. The competition will be held on October 17 and 18 - one week earlier than originally planned. The popular World Cup weekend in Sölden is intended to convey a remarkable statement of skiing and winter sports all over the world.
While this year will certainly look a little different than winters’ past, the slopes will be waiting for us again to enjoy the beauty of our beloved mountains in winter. We will be required to wear a mask covering our nose and mouth every time we take a lift and this winter there will be no après-ski and major events.
Despite all the limitations and uncertainty in Ski Paradise we are moderately optimistic about next season. We cannot forget that we have a great advantage: The majority of the time spent at a ski resort is spent outside in the fresh air, in a low-risk environment.
We are confident that the ski industry will continue to lead by example during these challenging times. Ski resorts have learned a lot this summer that they can apply to their winter operations. We are pretty sure ski resorts will do everything possible to provide a safe experience, but at the same time, each of us has an individual responsibility to do the same.
Together, Skiers, ski resorts, and the local communities will make it possible to contain the spread of COVID-19 and enjoy a wonderful winter season.
Soon we can experience again the benefits and joy of Skiing. Our sport is a great way to take advantage of the mental and physical health benefits of outdoor recreation.
We hope heavy snowfalls will help us put the pandemic behind us.
And remember social distancing remains part of life for now...
