Killington, VT – Pico Mountain has partnered with the American Cancer Society and will become Vermont’s first smoke free ski and snowboard resort on January 1, 2011.n“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 Jan. 1 and Feb. 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 Mar. 5, 2011.