The webcam at Big White's Village, Feb. 13, 2021.
Image Credit: Big White Ski Resort
February 13, 2021 - 10:34 AM
Big White Ski Resort is bolstering security efforts this long-weekend but the cold may be a factor in keeping social gatherings off the mountain.
The resort's senior vice president Michael Ballingall said the resort can’t track out-of-town visitors who are staying at private residences but he has investigated rumours of students coming and staying at the resort from out of province.
Public health orders currently ban any social gatherings until at least the end of the month to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“For sure there’s going to be cars that arrive from Alberta at Big White today... it happens every weekend. If you break the rules, we ask you to leave,” he said.
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For the most part, people have been following COVID-19 restrictions and he's doubtful visitors will misbehave, he said.
“If they’re travelling in a pack, we’ll find them. If 20 of them show up at the bar and they’re not sitting six at a table and that sort of stuff, it’ll be easy to track them if they’re not behaving properly,” he said. “If they’re breaking any rules, we’ll call the police… they certainly won’t be allowed to gather, they won’t be allowed to do anything that isn’t following the rules.”
Family Day long-weekend is typically the resort's busiest weekend of the year, but so far, it's been quiet.
“Everything ramps up for this weekend, it’s a long weekend, but if you look at the webcams right now, there’s nothing going on. It’s really cold, it’s -25 C at the top (of the hill). The cold temperatures help you regulate what’s going on outside and then you worry about what’s going on inside, we rely on people’s eyes and hears when we get a call,” he said.
The RCMP is on the mountain every weekend and the resort relies on residents to report misbehaviour.
The concern for the resort is about private parties in people's homes, but Ballinghall said, but with so many neighbours around, infractions will be quickly reported.
"We’ll see what happens tonight, but it’s cold. You’re not walking three blocks to go to a house party it’s too cold,” he said.
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