CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Ski resorts in the region are preparing to open for their new season - this year with COVID restrictions.
Chestnut Mountain near Galena has set its sights on opening Friday. Marketing director Stewart Stoffregen said face-coverings will be required everywhere from inside buildings to ski lifts to the top of the hill.
"We’re limiting the amount of skiers on the hill this year to 1,800 compared to, like, 3,000, so we’re going to keep people spaced out and make sure everyone’s safe," he said.
Stoffregen said there are a lot of signs to remind people to keep their distance, but that, "we’re not going to be real police, police and say, ‘Hey, you gotta be six feet apart.'"
Guests will also not be able to eat inside at any of the restaurants.
"Right now, the State of Illinois, we’ve got no indoor dining so we just got grab-n-go stuff, so basically we’re telling people when they come to the mountain use your car as your base where you get dressed, boot up, eat there," Stoffregen said.
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Ski resorts in Illinois were shut down in March when the widespread coronavirus shut downs happened.
At Chestnut Mountain Resort, one person per group will be allowed inside to check-in to the resort for a guest room. For people who are just going to be skiing or snowboarding, Stoffregen said, "Coming in to ski, they’re going to go right to ticket windows and right to the slopes. Use your car as your base home, get dressed there, booted up and make sure you’re ready to hit the slopes. You’ll you’re your ticket and you’ll be off."
Stoffregen said the resort got 5-7 inches of snow on Saturday and has been able to make more snow overnight because of how cold it has gotten.