Project Highlights

• The Westin Resort and Spa in Whistler, B.C., needed a safe, reliable and economical method for removing snow and ice from their outdoor pool and spa area.
• Chris Turcott, vice president of Cressey Development Corporation, suggests an Uponor snow and ice melting system which melts snow and ice right when it comes in contact with the surface.
• Using the snow and ice melting system eliminates the need for messy salting or laborious shoveling and also alleviates potential liability concerns for hotel owners when there is no snow or ice for visitors or employees to slip on.

Background

The Westin Resort and Spa in Whistler, B.C., affords coveted ski-in and ski-out convenience to both Whistler and Blackcomb, two world-class ski mountains.

The resort boasts luxurious guestrooms, meeting spaces, restaurants and a full-service spa complete with saunas, eucalyptus steam rooms, an indoor-outdoor pool and indoor and outdoor hot tubs.

With a section of the indoor-outdoor pool and outdoor spa in an area where daily snowfall can reach up to three inches, the Westin was challenged to keep the 1,990-square-foot pool deck free of snow and ice during winter use.

Traditional methods of snow removal, such as shoveling and salting, would be costly, messy and labor-intensive. Chris Turcott, vice president of Cressey Development Corporation, suggested an Uponor snow and ice melting system.

In a snow and ice melting system, warm water circulates through PEX tubing imbedded in the cement. The warmth from the water warms the pool deck to a temperature that melts snow and ice on contact.

“The Uponor snow-melting system was simple, reliable and offered ease of installation,” says Turcott. “Using a snow-melting system alleviates potential liability concerns for hotel owners when there is no snow or ice for hotel visitors to slip on. The arrival of fresh snowfall does not necessitate shoveling and salting.”

 Related Documents

• Uponor Commercial Systems Brochure