Whistler, Canada’s biggest ski resort, has introduced a resort-wide no smoking policy in May. Could more resorts follow suit?
Whistler, located in the Rocky Mountains in British Columbia, announced it would introduce a resort-wide no smoking policy starting on May 31st, coinciding with World No Tobacco Day.
The term resort-wide really means that no smoking will be enforced across the popular ski resort, including life lines, on chairlifts, gondolas, ski runs, hiking trails, streets, parking lots, bike park trails on Whistler Mountain and all bars and restaurants.
Introducing a ban like this is easy when Whistler Backcomb Holdings owns the entire resort, including all the runs, lifts and land. The company’s CEO, Dave Brownlie, explains the company’s reasoning behind the ban,
“We have made the decision to introduce a smoke-free policy at Whistler Blackcomb to preserve the pristine alpine environment our guests come here for. We also recognise that as a leader in the outdoor adventure and wellness industry, and as the largest employer in the Whistler community, we have a responsibility to our guests and staff to provide a safe and healthy environment for work and play.”
Non-smokers booking flights to Vancouver for their next ski holiday can rest assured they won’t have to stand next to anyone smoking in the chair lift queue again!