Schweitzer urges mask compliance

SANDPOINT — Schweitzer Mountain Resort said compliance with its mask requirement has dramatically improved since the start of the season.

However, resort President and CEO Tom Chasse said those who refuse to mask up to help limit the spread of novel coronavirus could cause the resort to shut down.

In a candid post to Facebook, Chasse estimated that as many as 90 percent of the skiers and snowboarders were abiding by the mask requirement on Sunday, a vast improvement in compliance since the start of the season.

Chasse added that the resort does not have enough staff to remind guests to don their masks in every corner of the resort.

"If we cannot get this under control, I’m willing to shut down the entire operation until we’re able to open additional lifts and terrain," Chasse said in the post.

Chasse said he's received a variety of comments on the mask requirement, some of which were angry about it and some of which were supportive. Chasse acknowledged that masks have become a divisive political issue and pointed to the Bonner County Commission's proposal to defund the Panhandle Health District because of its mask requirement in the five northern counties and Sheriff Daryl Wheeler's pledge not to enforce the district board of health's mask order, which was put in place last month as coronavirus cases surged in the Panhandle.

County commissioners tabled the defunding resolution earlier this month because of a legal opinion stating that health district funding can only be addressed during the budgeting proecess.

"The conflicting messages in our community create challenges for us and we can only do so much to get everyone on the same page in order to keep our operation going all winter long," he said.

Chasse encouraged masked visitors to remind bare-faced visitors that noncompliance with the mask requirement could bring an abrupt end to the winter season. Chasse likened the requirement to a simple request, such as wearing your seatbelt or taking your shoes off when entering a home.

"Skiing and snowboarding are not essential functions during this pandemic, but we understand the importance of having some normalcy in these unprecedented times. We need everyone to do their part. Hopefully we can all slow the spread and continue to shred," Chasse said.

Although the deadline to roll season passes forward to the next winter season passed on Nov. 15, Chasse said those who are unhappy with the resort's response to the pandemic now have until Friday, Dec. 11 to roll season passes to next season.

"The decision is yours," Chasse said.

It was not clear on Friday if anyone had taken Chasse up on the offer. He was not immediately available for comment on Friday afternoon.

Chasse concluded the post by urging Schweitzer guests to exercise kindness, compassion and patience.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com or followed on Twitter @KeithDailyBee