GLACIER NATIONAL PARK — The historic Sperry Chalet is open for the season, but things are a little different this year because of coronavirus.
Sperry Chalet was destroyed in the summer of 2017 by the Sprague fire and it took months and millions of dollars to reconstruct the chalet. Project manager Travis Neil said crews worked seven days a week for six months to complete restoration efforts.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Glacier National Park spokeswoman Gina Kurzmen said the chalet was immediately booked for reservations. She said precautions have been taken to prevent the spread of the virus at the chalet and day hikers will not be allowed inside the building.
"Guests are being asked to wear masks when they are in closer quarters at Sperry Chalet," she said. "So in the dining area where people are congregating. However, we do realize that they aren't going to be able to wear their masks during eating. And we ask guests to practice social distancing."
Kerzman said the chalet is also staggering dining times so that the dining halls aren't as full. She also explained that the park does not enforce the mask mandate at Sperry Chalet and each individual concessionary who runs each chalet make their own mandate.
People with reservations at the Sperry Chalet will be contacted by the concessionaire.
