Essential workers get free lift rides up Big White this holiday weekend

Whether you’re a health care worker, or a person who works on the front lines of grocery stores or gas stations, you’re all being offered a free ride up Big White this weekend.

It’s being billed as a “tribute to those who have worked throughout the pandemic to keep B.C. families and communities safe and operating,” according to a Big White Ski Resort news release issued today, Sept. 1.

The ride is up the Bullet chairlift.

READ MORE: Big White ending season early to fight COVID-19 infections

"It's our way to say thank you," Peter Plimmer, president and CEO of Big White Ski Resort, said in the release. "Big White is a family-owned company, and we all live in the valley of those that have been protecting us during the pandemic and wildfire season. We hope that everyone that works on the frontline and has helped us get through these unprecedented times gets a chance to visit the mountain this Labour Day long weekend."

The passes are only available in-person at the Big White ticket window. People will have to show identification or a pay stub from their employer. The passes are good from tomorrow, Sept. 2 through Monday, Sept. 6.

The list of who qualifies as essential can be seen here. It includes health care workers, law enforcement, critical infrastructure service providers, (which includes gas stations), food and agriculture service workers (which includes farmers, food processors and retail grocery store workers) and more.

There are hiking trails at the top of the Bullet chair and guided hiking tours are available.

Other events on the mountain this weekend include the Big White Canadian Slopestyle Championship, a disc golf tournament and the mountain’s annual Winter is Coming September Sale.

For more information, go to Big White Ski Resort website here.

READ MORE: Big White restaurant earns hefty fine for party that broke COVID-19 rules

To contact a reporter for this story, email Rob Munro or call 250-808-0143 or email the editor. You can also submitphotos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.