FILE PHOTO - The gondola at Big White Ski Resort is pictured in the undated Facebook photo.

Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Big White Ski Resort

Although some B.C. ski resorts have taken it upon themselves to require fully-vaccinated patrons at their ski resorts, this isn’t the case for most operators in the Thompson-Okanagan region.

Recently, Revelstoke Mountain Resort announced it would require all patrons ages 12 and over to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

“In addition to keeping everyone safe, we also want to keep lift wait times as short as possible. Given the enclosed nature of the Revelation Gondola, proof of a COVID-19 Immunization Record will be required to access all facilities at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, including the gondola and chairlifts," the resort said in a written statement. "Our intention is to operate all lifts at full capacity this winter to maximize everyone’s time on the slopes.” 

The mandate will begin Nov. 18, and patrons will be required to show a B.C. vaccine card and government issued identification.

Grouse Mountain in Vancouver will also be requiring patrons to be fully vaccinated starting Nov. 27, or on opening day, whatever day comes first.

At Big White Ski Resort, senior vice president Michael Ballingall said the only resorts that have mandated the vaccination policy outdoors are those that only have one access point.

“We agree Sunshine Village, Kicking Horse and Revelstoke… if you sit in a close cabin (on a gondola) with potentially seven other strangers, you would want to ensure you’re vaccinated,” he said.

There are eight places to enter Big White in the morning, and seven of those are outside, so there’s always a choice to use an outdoor lift, he said.

“The gondola is a three-minute ride and you must wear a mask and it has windows that open. We follow the science and we follow the mandate of the provincial health officer,” Ballingall said.

Provincial health vaccine mandates are currently only in effect in indoor settings like at the movies, gyms or restaurants.

The reason some resorts are mandating vaccinations is also because they want to maximize their lift capacities this year, he said.

The vast majority of people in a lift line are going to double vaccinated and if people feel uncomfortable are welcome to wear a mask, Ballingall said.

Also 85% of British Columbians are double-vaccinated while 90% have had their first shot, he said.

“If you’re arriving by air, you have to be double vaccinated. If you're coming from outside the country you have to be double vaccinated. All those who want to use a restaurant, go to a sporting event so you all have to be double vaccinated. So we believe there’s going to be a very small percentage of our population that are going to want to use our lifts that aren’t double vaccinated,” he said.

It's business as usual at Sun Peaks Resort near Kamloops, said marketing director Christina Antoniak via email.

"Currently our plans for winter operations do not include requiring proof of vaccination to purchase lift tickets and access our slopes for skiing and snowboarding," Antoniak wrote. "Sun Peaks Resort has open air chairlifts and several points of access to the ski area. As we experienced last winter, outdoor recreation in the mountains was relatively safe. If they’d like, guests can choose to board the chairs on their own or with their group."

Proof of vaccination has not been mandated at SilverStar Mountain Resort near Vernon.

Apex Mountain Ski Resort near Penticton could not be immediately reached for comment. 

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