Today, a young man is in hospital in Kelowna with a back injury after an accident at Big White Mountain, despite it being closed.

The resort said that the accident occurred in TELUS Park. Officials called the accident “severe” and “avoidable.”

Photo credit: Big White

The man’s friends called 911 and the Big White Fire Department responded on foot with the best equipment they had to provide first aid, a backboard, a neck-brace, and physically walked him out to the road at which time he was handed over to BC Ambulance and transported to KGH.

“This is extremely frustrating and, quite frankly, unacceptable,” commented Michael J Ballingall, Senior Vice President Big White Ski Resort Ltd, “So many of us are trying to do the right thing by staying home to bend the curve, but there are a few that break the rules and now tax the health care system.”

On March 16, Big White Ski Resort Ltd’s president and CEO Peter Plimmer closed Big White Ski Resort due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. 

“Since that time, Mother Nature has been in charge of the mountain,” said Brad Parsons, marketing director at Big White.

He went on to explain that their team has done “everything humanly possible” to ask people to stay away from the mountain, including with social media, posted signage and email – and still the public is not listening.
 
“If we truly respect our community and those on the front line that are doing so much to fight, on our behalf, Covid 19 we once again ask you ‘why?,’” Parsons said. “We ask you to stay away from Big White Ski Resort. The mountain is closed, the creeks have started to run, the snow is shifting, and it is simply dangerous to be out on a mountain that is not patrolled, groomed, fenced, or managed at this time.”

“Please do not venture out on Big White Mountain – you are just putting yourself in danger, and first responders, plus those on the front lines in a position that is not necessary if they are required to provide you with care.”