Special Information about the 2020/21 HPSC Season

Due to the ongoing pandemic, this season will be different that any we have faced in the past. Our members' safety is of prime concern and we will of course be following public health recommendations. While we will attempt a season as close to normal as we possibly can, there will be some differences.

Throughout all of our planning and decision making for the upcoming season, we have had the following guiding principles in mind:

• We will follow the latest public health guidelines as outlined by the federal, provincial, municipal governments, as well our industry governing bodies;
• We will attempt to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19 within HPSC;
• We will arrange for skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing when safety and guidelines allows; and
• As a club we are all in this together.  To the best of our abilities, we will not create policies that favour one group of members over others.

To guide the club during the upcoming season the Board of Directors has created a COVID Risk Management Framework document that outlines our policies and procedures for the coming season.  The full document is here.

Following are some of the key highlights:

General

• The club must act in good faith to abide by the COVID-19 mitigation guidelines established by the federal, provincial, municipal governments, resorts, public health agencies, and CSIA, CSCF, CASI, CANSI.
• Decision to run trips (including Drive-up only) will be based on the provincial guidelines.  Since HPSC is Toronto based and registered, we need to follow the guidelines as outlined for Toronto, no matter where our members live.
• As such we will NOT be running/organizing trips if Toronto is in a GREY or RED zone. (Charters see below) 
• There will be a mandatory COVID screener prior to all HPSC activities.  
• All trips will be for HPSC members only.  There will be no Test Drive or Bring a Guest trips.

Lessons

• Lessons will be limited to a ratio of four members to one instructor.
• Limit downhhill lessons to STEP 3/NOVICE and up.
• To avoid crowded lesson lineups, lesson start/end times will be staggered.
• Members will need to wear a non-perforated face covering whenever 6 feet distance cannot consistently be maintained and in instances where the resort has mandated wearing a face covering.

Bus trips

• When we are able to run buses (based on Ontario public health guidelines), there will be a maximum of 30 members per bus.
• While on the bus, all members must wear an appropriate mask at all times.
• On the bus, members will need to remain seated throughout the trip (with the exception of going to the washroom.)
• Food, drink, and talking will be kept to a minimum on the bus. 
• The bus will be fully cleaned by the bus company prior to the trip, and high touch areas will be cleaned after arrival and after lunch.
• The bus will be available for lunch for a maximum of 10 members at a time.  

Long Trips/Charter trips

• There will be no long bus trips this season.  Trips organized to Quebec destinations will be “self-drive” only.  HPSC will not be involved in arranging carpooling. 
• On trips including Charter trips, there will be no trip leader on the trip.  A trip supervisor will be assigned to create an itinerary and general information which will be provided to trip participants prior to the trip.
• HPSC will not be involved in assigning roommates this season.
  
• Although Toronto could be in a GREY or RED zone, charter trips will go ahead unless advised by the tour operator, due to restrictions imposed at the destination. Charters are controlled by tour operators not HPSC.

HPSC Membership rate is reduced for this season to $140 (+GST) for the entire year. There is no early bird special. We are also including a special option for this year: If you have not gone on a trip with HPSC by January 31st, 2021, you can choose to defer your membership to the 2021/22 season. To make this choice you must email membership@hpsc.ca by February 1st, 2021.