Resort says it will continue to require masks for rest of season
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 5 months AGO
A skier carves down the Toni Matt trail on Whitefish Mountain Resort's opening day of the 2020-21 season Thursday, Dec. 10. (Whitney England/Whitefish Pilot)
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | February 11, 2021 4:15 PM
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/
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