Mr. Michael J. Ballingall, Senior Vice President 

Mr. Jeremy Hopkinson, Director of Operations

Big White Ski Resort

5315 Big White Road

Kelowna, BC V1P1P3

Mr. Scott Lain, Area Manager – Roads Kelowna

BC Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure

#300-1358 St. Paul St

Kelowna BC, V2Y2E1

[Insert date], 2018

Re: Traffic Management and Pedestrian Safety on Big White Road

Dear Mr. Ballingall, Mr. Hopkinson, & Mr. Lain,

I am writing [insert on behalf of the Strata Council for XXXXXX/as a property owner in the White Forest Estates neighborhood]. I/We wish to raise awareness with both of your organizations regarding concerns with vehicle speeds and ongoing risks to pedestrian safety while crossing Big White Road along the ‘Bullet corridor’ between Raven Ridge Road and the Village Center Mall. I/We am/are aware that the Strata Council for Snowy Creek Lodge recently conveyed its concerns with you as well. 

As you are aware, there are many people that need to cross this stretch of Big White Road, in order to access the Bullet Chairlift and the main Village area, including the many owners and resort guests collectively residing in the White Forest Estates neighborhood. As you’re also aware, the posted speed limit along Big White Road from the Bullet Creek cabins through the main Village area is 30km/hr; however, most vehicles greatly exceed this speed limit which poses serious risk to pedestrian safety. This risk is exacerbated by road conditions that are often slippery, along with high snow banks which reduce visibility (particularly at night). An additional factor during the day is that the white 30km/hr speed limit signs blend in with the white snowy background during the ski season, and they are also often covered with snow. 

During the 2017-2018 ski season a temporary black and orange illuminated sign was placed westbound along Big White Road near the White Crystal Inn to raise awareness of pedestrians and caution drivers to slow down. I/We understand that this was an initiative of Big White Ski Resort and I/we gratefully acknowledge the resort for this. 

I/We would like to echo the request that was brought forward by the Snowy Creek Lodge Strata Council, for the Ministry of Transportation and Big White Ski Resort to collaborate in order to promote greater awareness and enforcement of the 30km/hr speed limit, in the interest of pedestrian safety. I/We support Snowy Creek Lodge’s request for additional temporary illuminated signs to be placed in multiple locations for the upcoming ski season, to better alert drivers in both directions of the need to greatly reduce their speed. In particular, westbound drivers approaching the ‘Bullet corridor’ need to be alerted to reduce their speed well in advance of the Bullet chair, therefore, illuminated signage should ideally start before drivers reach Raven Ridge Road. 

I/We also support Snowy Creek Lodge’s longer term request that your organizations establish additional traffic interventions and infrastructure to more safely manage pedestrian access to the Bullet Chair.  

Thank you for considering this information and the concerns that have been conveyed. 

Sincerely,