PICO MOUNTAIN TO BECOME VERMONT’S FIRST SMOKE-FREE SKI RESORT

KILLINGTON, Vt. (November 22, 2010) – Pico Mountain has partnered with the American Cancer Society and will become Vermont’s first smoke free resort on January 1, 2011.

“Secondhand smoke causes close to 49,000 deaths annually from heart disease and cancer to otherwise healthy nonsmokers.” stated Kelly Stoddard, Vice President of Health & Advocacy Initiatives for the American Cancer Society. “Implementing this change for cleaner air will result in a reduced cancer risk for Pico employees, associates, and guests.”

In an effort to reward those who quit smoking, Pico Mountain will provide a complimentary one-day lift ticket or one-day Learn to Ski or Ride package to anyone who successfully completes a smoking cessation program offered at any of the 16 hospitals in the state of Vermont.

“Tobacco use remains the world’s most preventable causes of death, and we’re excited to remove it from the lungs of our guests and employees.” Commented Tracy Taylor, Pico Mountain’s Director of Operations. 

To promote a smoke-free environment and raise awareness for the American Cancer Society, the Pico Race Arena will be open on January 1 and February 6, 2011 offering timed runs down a professional course for a $5 donation to the American Cancer Society.  Money raised will go into an overall prize purse for the Hope on the Slopes, an event designed to raise money for the American Cancer Society, and heighten awareness of healthy activities and lifestyles, hosted at Pico Mountain on March 5, 2011.

Pico Mountain images:
https://killington.imagerelay.com/sb/c30a7a4a-f0e1-11df-997a-12313b076911

About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing more than $3.5 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in Americawho have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

About Pico Mountain:
With more vertical drop than 80% of New England mountains, Pico Mountain offers mogul trails, glades, groomed cruisers and the new Triple Slope Terrain Park, all of which lead back to one classically-styled Vermont base lodge. First-timers can enjoy gentle learning trails and a new tow-rope, while more advanced skiers and snowboarders will enjoy finding their way into the glades on a fresh powder day.  Our 50 trails, 214 skiable acres and seven lifts (including two high-speed quads) mean our slopes are never crowded and our guests get the most out of their days.  Pico – Big Mountain Skiing, Small Mountain Charm. www.PicoMountain.com.

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