Whitefish Mountain Resort will continue to require skiers to wear face coverings for the remainder of the ski season even if a statewide mask mandate goes away.

Gov. Greg Gianforte announced this week that he would lift the statewide mandate on Friday, Feb. 12. On Thursday, the resort said it intends to keep its current requirements that face coverings be worn in lift lines, when unloading and loading from chair lifts and indoor spaces to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“As much as I would like to see mask wearing go away and return to a normal life, I think it is important for WMR to finish our season in the same manner that we started," Whitefish Mountain Resort CEO Dan Graves said. "This means continuing with the protocols that we have had in practice all season. I thank everyone who has been wearing their face coverings and wish everyone a great second half of the season.”

Face coverings with holes in the nose or mouth area are not acceptable, the resort noted.

The resort is located outside of city limits, but Whitefish is also requiring that face masks be worn in business and public spaces under an emergency ordinance that takes effect if the governor lifts the mandate.

For a full list of COVID-19 safety information regarding the resort, visit https://skiwhitefish.com/covid-19/