Health advisories against non-essential travel have prompted Big White Ski Resort to cancel more than $7.3 million in accommodation and lift ticket reservations since November.

That number, current as of Jan. 21, doesn91裸聊视频檛 take into account lost opportunities for other revenue departments on the mountain, such as lessons, food services, equipment rental, retail and events, nor the financial impact on the other businesses that operate on the mountain.

91裸聊视频淎s challenging as it has been, we know that we are doing the right thing to bend the curve. And this has been confirmed by many of our local season pass holders and those who wish to visit but cancelled on their own,91裸聊视频� said Peter Plimmer, president and CEO of Big White Ski Resort.

Hundreds of people have reached out to the resort expressing disappointment with the decision to cancel reservations for those who don91裸聊视频檛 live nearby, which has been the case since early December. Plimmer said the subject is 91裸聊视频渘ot debatable91裸聊视频� given provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry91裸聊视频檚 clear message to avoid non-essential travel, even if it means a substantial financial hit for the resort.

91裸聊视频淚t will always snow at Big White, and eventually, COVID-19 will be gone. But, while it91裸聊视频檚 here, our focus is day-to-day.91裸聊视频�

On Jan. 21, 2020, the resort91裸聊视频檚 occupancy was at 87.5 per cent. On the same day this year, the resort saw just 14.7 per cent occupancy. Mid-week skier visits are down by 84 per cent, classes by 96 per cent, and other businesses are down more than 80 per cent.

Adding to these struggles, Big White has been the location of a COVID-19 cluster, with more than 200 cases identified. Health officials said the spread on the mountain has not been easy to control.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 difficult for us to control because it91裸聊视频檚 mostly in younger people living and working on the hill. There are some other cases as well, but that91裸聊视频檚 probably the bulk of it,91裸聊视频� said Interior Health91裸聊视频檚 chief medical health officer Albert de Villiers on Jan. 20.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e trying to keep up with it. If everybody follows the rules, and everybody does what they91裸聊视频檙e supposed to be doing, we should be able to control it. But it91裸聊视频檚 not an easy one.91裸聊视频�

READ MORE: 28 more cases of COVID-19 linked to Big White cluster

READ MORE: COVID-19 moving out of southern Interior and into the north: IH

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com

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