Ski resorts open with new rules amid COVID-19 pandemic

TRUCKEE, Calif. (KGO) -- Ski season 2020 starts Friday in the Sierra, and resorts have implemented new rules for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resorts like Northstar are welcoming guests back.

You will have to wear a face covering and maintain social distancing.

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WATCH: We get an inside look at how Tahoe Ski resorts are gearing up to make it work.

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Also, there is a new reservation system that limits the number of people on the slopes.

"And we're really confident that we would will be able to accommodate guests when they would like to ski 26 for the vast majority of days," said Kayla Elias, with Northstar.

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"I'm all for it. I like the reservation system. In theory, it keeps the numbers down. I'm happy that it's socially-distanced. And then I'll ski really fast to keep the corona away from me," said Andre Mandel, a skier.

Nobody will have to share a lift with anyone who is not in their party, and most dining will move outdoors due to restrictions on people gathering indoors.

VIDEO: Bay Area residents gear up for ski season, despite pandemic

Despite the pandemic, it appears many Bay Area residents are gearing up for ski season. At the Sports Basement in Berkeley, the assistant manager tells us business is definitely not down from past years."

At the Sports Basement in Berkeley, business in the ski department has been brisk the past few weeks, according to Assistant Manager Jared Williams.

"It's pretty good. It's definitely not down from past years," he said about their ski and snowboard sales.

RELATED: Lake Tahoe sees snowy conditions as temperatures drop in Bay Area

Friday evening, there was also a line at their rental department where Adriana Ortenblad came to rent skis with her family.

"It's a way of getting a little fun and going out," said Ortenblad.

They had originally planned on flying down to Brazil for the holidays to visit family.

"But because of the pandemic and things being really hard, we said 'let's stay.'"

Obviously aware of the rising cases, she still said driving to a ski resort felt like a much safer alternative than to traveling to another country.

"It's something you can do as a family," said Ortenblad.