Whitewater, Red Mountain Ski Resorts adjust in response to COVID-19
By Nelson Daily Staff
Whitewater Ski Resort is not following drastic measures of closing operations to combat COVID-19 outbreak that some companies in BC are choosing.
Instead the local ski hill is implementing new policies and procedures staff believe will curb the spread of the novel coronavirus while allowing customers to continue to enjoy a healthy lifestyle on the mountain.
“We released the information link Friday — the changes and adjustments were making at the resort,” said Peter Lonergan, Sales and Marketing Director at Whitewater Ski Resort.
“We will continue to be in talks with the Canada West Ski Areas Association (CWSAA) as well as of course closely monitoring the situation here in Canada but no official plans to change anything else at this time.”
Changes at Whitewater, which include increased cleaning, reduced lodge capacity, no longer offering a public shuttle — the kids shuttle for spring break camps will continue to operate — and avoiding accepting cash transactions came prior to some ski hills in BC deciding to close down operations.
Vail Resorts, owner/operator of Whistler/Blackcomb, will cease operations from Sunday, March 15 to Sunday, March 22.
Two other ski resorts, SilverStar Mountain Resort near Vernon will close March 15-22 while Cypress Mountain in West Vancouver will close at 4 p.m. Sunday until further notice.
“We urge everyone in the Whitewater community to be vigilant of their own health and conscientious of others,” the release on the Whitewater website said.
“If you are experiencing any symptoms concurrent with COVID-19, please do not put others at risk by entering public areas. If you are at-risk individual of contracting the virus, please carefully consider whether you visit Whitewater for the rest of the season.”
Whitewater Ski Resort is a resort nestled in the Selkirk Mountains situated in Ymir bowl, beneath the 2,400-metre-high Ymir Mountain, located a 25-minute drive from Nelson in southern British Columbia.
“We appreciate your support in limiting the spread of this virus, and we hope that by taking these steps, we are able to reduce its impacts on our community, while also enabling everyone to stay active and enjoy the mountain,” the Whitewater website release said.
Red Mountain in Rossland, other than cancelling some larger events to conform with Public Health recommendations, will also continue operations during the upcoming spring break holiday.
“The good news is that we are open and continue to operate as usual, while taking all the additional precautions recommended by the health authorities including increased cleaning and sanitization of all public areas, signage, and hygiene procedures around handwashing,” the release on the Red Mountain Resort website said.
“While we are disappointed to cancel these events, the safety and health of our guests and employees are very important to us. We will continue to monitor this changing situation on a daily basis and will update as required.”
