Apex Mountain Resort also closed early.
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March 17, 2020 - 7:49 AM
Ski season is officially over.
Apex Mountain Resort, Sun Peaks and Harper Mountain joined Big White and SilverStar Monday night, and pulled the plug on the season due to COVID-19 concerns.
“After careful consideration and deliberation regarding the rapidly growing concern over COVID-19 and the spread of this pandemic, Apex Mountain Resort will be ceasing operations for the season as of tomorrow, March 17 at 3:30 p.m.,” James Shalman, General Manager, Apex Mountain Resort said in a statement.
“As much as we would love to stay open and provide a venue for those to enjoy the outdoors, we feel it is our duty to help reduce the spread of this virus. We apologize for any inconvenience this short notice may cause, however, the health and safety of our guests, staff and residents is more important.”
A similar message was released from Sun Peaks, which said while the “skiing and morale both remain fantastic in Sun Peaks, the unprecedented Coronavirus situation has created an overwhelming and difficult stretch” for their guests, staff, and community in recent days.
The decision has been made to cease operations for the remainder of the winter season at the end of day Wednesday, March 18.
"We will be implementing a gradual wind-down of operations between now and then to help facilitate things in an orderly manner."
No further lift ticket sales will take place for the remainder of the season. The mountain remains open until Wednesday for those already with tickets and for season pass holders.
Food and Beverage: Mountain-operated outlets will be further restricted effective immediately. No more than 50 people will be permitted in any facility at any given time.
Retail and Rental: Mountain operated outlets will cease as of the end of day Wednesday.
Accommodations: Sun Peaks Grand will adjust as required while still fully taking care of all existing guests now in the resort. No new bookings will be taken.
“A plan is currently being implemented to take care of all our impacted employees. We cannot say enough about how the teams have managed these extremely difficult situations,” the Sun Peaks statement said.
“We do not take this action lightly as skiing in the mountains was one of the safer and calming escapes people had left during this hectic time. However, the situation continues to evolve on an almost hourly basis and an appropriate response was now required. The logistics and ever-changing environment have made it too difficult to finish the season in what we consider a safe setting for all those involved.”
Harper Mountain also chose to suspend all operations effective as of Monday, March 16, for the remainder of the season.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced Monday a ban on gatherings of 50 or more people.
“That’s aligned with what we’re seeing in the United States,” Henry said.
To meet that need a number of restaurants and cafes had already switched to takeout, delivery and drive-thru services, libraries shut down and so too did a number of municipal buildings and workout facilities.
“This is going to be really important for us for the coming weeks,” Henry said.
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