According to the senior vice president at Big White Ski Resort, the rogue party at Charley Victoria's was raging by 7 pm on Monday night.
"The front desk at the Inn at Big White had been approached by workers of Charley Victoria's asking us to call the RCMP," said Michael J. Ballingall.
"The bar was out of control, nobody was wearing their masks," he added. "They were dancing on tables, the music was up loud and they were having quite the rage."
Big White Ski resort has commenced legal proceedings to terminate Charley Victoria's lease over the incident.
The owner of the restaurant has issued a public apology, but Ballingall says that won't be enough.
"No," said Ballingall. "These are serious breaches of the provincial health officer's order. This is a blatant disregard for the COVID-19 protocols for the liquor licence they were operating under and Worksafe BC. These are extremely serious allegations and we just don't stand for that."
At the same time, Ballingall suggested the behaviour seen at the offending restaurant was part of a general trend at the resort.
"Staff that were laid off were starting to be a little bit rowdy in not only their private accommodation but in commercial accommodations," he said.
But the decision to close the resort early had more to do with a concern that with other major ski resorts closing, Big White was at risk of being swamped by people hoping to celebrate the end of the season.
"We made a very quick decision," explained Ballingall, "to close the resort as of [4 pm] Monday, April 5, and we'll close six days early."
