Pubdate: Sat,  3 Feb 2001
Source: Golden Star (CN BC)
Copyright: 2000 Golden Star
Contact:  http://www.bowesnet.com/goldenstar/
Address: Box 149  413A 9th Avenue North, Golden, BC VOA 1H0
Fax : (250) 344-7344
Author: Lynda Harrison

RCMP ARE ON PATROL FOR POT-SMOKING SKIERS, 'BOARDERS

Riding high to top of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort on the gondola 
could result in a trip of another kind - right back down the 
"ganjola" and off the ski hill with a police escort.

Local police are stepping up their presence on the local ski hill 
this year, on the look-out for marijuana smokers and users of other 
illegal substances, such as alcohol.

Sgt. Rob DeBoersap of the Golden detachment RCMP said last week that, 
in response to complaints by the skiiing public, police officers will 
sometimes now be hanging out at the end of the gondola ride, ready 
for a sniff of that tell-tale cloud of smoke as skiers and 
snowboarders disembark.

Instead of "Have a good run," or "Welcome to Kicking Horse Mountain 
Resort," from a liftie, skiers and 'boarders' could be greeted with 
the words, "Hey, guess what? We have grounds to arrest you," from an 
officer of the law.

Although they are off-duty, skiing police, who are there on a 
voluntary basis, can still arrest scofflaws, either when they notice 
the offences themselves or are called by resort personnel via radios.

They won't be obviously identified as police officers although they 
will be wearing matching jackets, so locals will be able to recognize 
them after a while, said DeBoersap.

Police were on the hill in previous years as well, but with less 
presence. "Last year there weren't as many members interested in 
participating and we weren't pushing it as much either, because we 
recognize that with the growth and the resort will come more people 
and with that there will be more problems," said DeBoersap.

Drinking alcohol outside of licensed establishments is contrary to 
the Liquor Control Licensing Act which states that you are not 
allowed to consume alcohol in a public place. On the slopes of the 
ski hill, in the parking lot or behind the day lodge are all public 
places, he said. The fine for drinking in public is $115.

As far as the resort's policy towards drugs and alcohol on the hill 
how they deal with it depends on the situation, said Justin Downes, 
the resort's area manager.

"In conjunction with the RCMP's zero tolerance on alcohol and drugs, 
and the Alpine Responsibility Code, we have to ensure that not only 
are the participants in any 'extracurricular activities' riding in a 
safe manner but that other people are safe as well," said Downes. 
"For people who are drinking or smoking up on the mountain, it is 
unwise given the conditions. They should have their full faculties," 
he said.
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MAP posted-by: Kirk Bauer