Healthy action taken to help kick the habit

Grouse Mountain becomes the first smoke-free resort in B.C.

New measures take effect on Sunday, May 31, 2009, at Grouse Mountain to help keep the air clean and healthy for everyone, while making it easier for existing smokers to kick the habit.

Grouse Mountain is the largest youth employer on the North Shore and has a responsibility to be a beacon of health for all our staff and visitors. All of Grouse Mountain will be smoke and tobacco free, and the realization of this long-awaited goal will further the good health practices recreation enthusiasts expect and value.

“As a recreation provider we are committed to health promotion and disease prevention,” says Michael Cameron, Grouse Mountain General Manager. “It is also our duty to ensure a healthy work environment and preserve our mountain.”

As a smoke-free resort open to the public, guests and company employees should consider their own well-being, the health of others and the preservation of pristine natural environment.

Education tools are being utilized to reinforce this health conscious message across the resort, and to explain how smoking restrictions in public places are successful in providing the following benefits to public health safety:

• Reduced exposure to second-hand smoke (which contains more than 50 cancer-causing chemicals and increases risk of heart disease)
• Decreased tobacco consumption
• Reduction in serious health-related hospital admissions
• Increased rates of persons who quit smoking

Smoking is recognized as the most preventable cause of death in Canada by health officials, and the action taken at Grouse Mountain will also serve to reduce public exposure to another serious and inextricably linked health hazard. There is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke, and it is widely acknowledged that such contact can lead to disease and premature death in children and adult non-smokers.

We appreciate your support in this endeavor. If you have any questions or comments please contact Guest Services at guestservices@grousemountain.com or call 604.980.9311.

Summer starts this weekend!

May 16th marks the launch of summertime at Grouse Mountain. With the Victoria Day long weekend comes the beginning of a full lineup of daily activities and events on the mountaintop including:

• World Famous Lumberjack Shows
• Birds in Motion Demonstrations
• Guided Eco-Walks
• Wildlife Ranger Interpretive Sessions at the Grizzly Bear habitat
• Scenic rides on the new Peak Chair

Every one of these activities is included with your General Admission ticket or Annual Membership. You can visit our Summer Mountain Report each day to find out the day's offering. Or, if you're out and about and thinking of coming to the mountain, you can visit our mobile site at m.grousemountain.com.

Speaking of membership...

They say membership has its privileges. This is certainly true at Grouse Mountain. In fact, an Annual Grouse Mountain Membership is a very reasonable way to fill your summer calendar with activities for a very reasonable price. An adult membership is just $89.95 or a family of four can get in on the fun for just $149.95. Here is the full list of member benefits:

• Skyride access for a full year
  
• 50% off your guest's admission: 1/2 price off General Admission rates for up to 4 guests each visit
• $75 for Air Grouse mountain ziplines (Regular $105)
• 30% off all Peak Adventure events: Seek The Peak Relay, Grouse Grind Mountain Run® & Snowshoe Classic
• 20% off all regular priced items at the Grouse Mountain Starbucks® location.
• 20% off all regular priced retail merchandise at the Spirit Gallery Gift Shop, Outfitters and Essentials Stores
  
• 20% off rental equipment:
  - Snowshoes (1 free rental, then 20% off)
  - Skates (1 free rental, then 20% off)
  - Skis/Snowboards (1 free rental, then 20% off; must have valid lift ticket)
• 20% off skiing/snowboarding lift tickets after 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays
• Access to year-round activities: Theatre In The Sky, Refuge for Endangered Wildlife
• Access to summer activities: World Famous Lumberjack Shows, Birds in Motion Demonstrations, Guided Eco-Walks, scenic chair lift rides
• Access to winter activities: Snowshoe trails, Ice skating pond, Sleigh rides, The Peak of Christmas

Also on the horizon now is the Seek The Peak Relay presented by Merrell. This 6th annual event raises much-needed funds for Rethink Breast Cancer. Watch for brochures and pledge forms in a sports retailer near you or visit seekthepeak.ca to learn more.