COVID-19 Response

Chatter Creek COVID-19 Safety for Our Guests

At Chatter Creek safety is at the heart of everything we do. This winter will be no different as we navigate the risks associated with COVID-19. In planning for our 2021 season, we are following the guidance of the Provincial Health Authority, WorkSafe BC, and our trade association, HeliCat Canada, in developing processes and protocols to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

We have put in place a plan to keep our guests and staff safe and healthy. Aspects of this plan may evolve as health orders, safety guidelines, and recommendations regarding COVID-19 change, and as we learn what protocols will work best in our operation.

Being transparent regarding the operational changes is two-fold. We want to help ease your concerns regarding attending your trip to Chatter Creek this year. We also want to ensure that if you choose to attend your trip, that you are willing to comply with the safety measures we have put in place. If you are unable to comply with these new procedures, we kindly ask you to defer your trip to next year. If you do not comply with our COVID-19 procedures, you will not be permitted to attend your 2021 trip or may be asked to depart the lodge before the end of your trip.

 

Levels of Protection

Four distinct levels of control measures have been implemented in the development of Chatter Creek’s COVID-19 protocols and procedures. The control model is illustrated below.

Elimination and engineering controls are designed to prevent people from coming into contact with an infectious person or contaminated surface in the first place and have been considered first in our plan. In spaces where physical distancing cannot be observed we have instituted occupancy limits and mask mandatory zones.

 

Face Masks

When worn properly, wearing a mask can reduce the spread of respiratory droplets. During your trip, we ask that you wear a non-medical face 3-layer mask in all interior spaces. For everyone’s safety, there will be mask mandatory zones in spaces where physical distancing guidelines cannot be maintained.

Mask Mandatory Zones:

• Boot room
• Bar/Lounge*
• Dining room*
• Stairway to the dining room
• Browsing retail

*Once you are seated in the bar or dining room you may remove your mask. However, if you need to get up from your seat for any reason we will kindly as you to put your mask back on before getting up.

Guests are required to bring two non-medical grade face masks to wear inside the lodge and inside the snowcat.

Non-medical grade face masks or face coverings should:

• Allow for easy breathing
• Fit securely to the head with ties or ear loops
• Maintain their shape
• Be changed as soon as possible if damp or dirty
• Be comfortable and not require frequent adjustment
• Be made of at least 3 layers of tightly-woven material (such as cotton or linen)
• Be large enough to completely and comfortably cover the nose and mouth without gaping

*Note: Buffs are not a sufficient mask

 

Hand Sanitization

Throughout the lodge, there will be hand sanitization stations. You will be required (as well as staff) to use hand sanitizer before entering each room. This is especially important when entering the bar and dining room.

 

Occupancy

Chatter Creek will be operating with 30% less occupancy this season to allow guests and staff to move through our common areas with physical distancing in place. Reducing guest and staff levels by 30% will reduce all gatherings at the lodge to well below 50 people as per the Provincial Health Order that prohibits gatherings of 50 people or more.

Due to unprecedented times, Chatter Creek is unable to offer our US and International Guests spots during this year’s season. Your fellow guests at the lodge will all be coming to Chatter Creek from within Canada.

 

Arrival

You can check-in at the lodge between 3 and 5pm MDT. You will not be allowed inside before this time. We ask that you enter through the designated door which will be labeled.

Upon check-in you will be asked a series of questions:

1. Have you had symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 10 days?
2. Have you been in contact with anyone with the symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 10 days?
3. Are you under the direction of the provincial health officer to self-isolate?
4. Have you arrived from outside of Canada within the last 14 days?

If you are unable to answer no to all questions, you will be required to forgo attending your trip.

Both guest rooms and common spaces in the lodge will be thoroughly sanitized between each new group of guests who arrive at the lodge.

 

Bar and Lounge

We are changing from bar service to table service to comply with the Provincial Health Order

The bar and lounge area will be reconfigured with additional high-top tables. These tables will provide small seating groups of four to six people to promote socialization within your booking group and physical distancing.

The bar/lounge will be open for service, with last call being 10p.m.

To comply with the Provincial Health Order, the following regulations will be strictly enforced:

• Masks will be required until you are seated and will be mandatory when moving around the room.
• Guests are required to remain seated with open beverages.
• No outside alcohol is aloud in the bar, lounge, and other common indoor areas.
• Last call will be at 10pm MDT and the bar will close at 11pm. No outside alcohol is allowed in our bar and lounge.

 

Alternative Lounge Areas

Alternative lounge areas have been designated on the hot tub deck as well as the deck above it. These areas will provide smaller socialization spaces where guests can choose to mingle just within their booking group. We ask that you don’t congregate or socialize in your rooms during your trip.

 

Dining Room

In the dining room, guests will sit at tables of six. This will comply with the Provincial Health Order that has put a cap on how many people can dine at one table. Seating will be assigned in the dining room to manage the movement of people in this high traffic area. Hand sanitization stations will be present at the entrance of the dining room which all guests will be required to use before entering. Masks will be required until you are seated and will be mandatory when moving around the room.

Breakfast service has been changed from buffet style to plated with a set menu. A hot breakfast and continental breakfast will be available.

All guests will receive a bagged lunch. There will be no dinning room lunch service.

 

Hot Tub

At this time, Chatter Creek will not be operating our hot tub or sauna.

 

Guest Rooms

Each booking group will have a limited number of single and double occupancy rooms made available to their group members. Congregation and parties in guest rooms will not be allowable this season.

 

Housekeeping

All areas of the lodge, including guest rooms, will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized every day. Common areas of the lodge such as the dining room and bar will be repeatedly sanitized after each use. Preceding the arrival of each trip group, common areas, and guest rooms will undergo deep cleaning.

 

Massages

Unfortunately, to increase physical distancing in the lodge, massage services will not be offered this season.

 

Departure

On your last day, you will receive breakfast and your packed lunch. You must leave the lodge by 9am MDT.