There's a healthy scattering of two-metre deep snowdrifts still lingering at the top of Mount Washington. But snow or no snow, the bike park will open this Saturday, June 30th at 11am. This early start beats last year's opening day by two weeks and provides some "value-added" for the resort's bike park season passholders.
"We wanted to open up our bike park as early as possible this year," explains resort spokesperson Brent Curtain. "Our trail builders have had their hands full over the last month. They've been digging snow, moving blow-downs from last fall's windstorms and at the same time, building new trails and stunts. Our hats go off to them."
The resort plans to spin both of its high-speed lifts for riders on opening day. The Monster Mile, Big Brother, Wizard and Evil Eye are the trails slated to open for advanced and intermediate riders. The mountain's trail builders are working fast and furious to get more going for opening weekend.
Mount Washington admits that some trails may be bordered by cut-banks of snow on either side, but this just adds to the mystique of early summer riding on Vancouver Island. "Who would have thought that they would be biking through snow at the end of June on Vancouver Island!" Curtain laughs.
The resort also announced some exciting developments to their bike park this summer. Three new trails are in the works: one novice trail called Timewarp, which is near completion, and two new expert trails courtesy of Jimmy Deas and the Mount Washington trail crew. Both expert trails are slated for completion later this summer.
Two more additions that will keep the local rippers happy (and Jimmy Deas working overtime this summer) are the pro-line slopestyle course and new Jump Park. Deas begins construction of the slopestyle course this week and the resort hopes to have it accessible to riders early this season. The slopestyle will be closed to the public for a couple of weeks in early August to host Darren Berrecloth's second instalment of the Bearclaw Invitational.
Deas' new jump park will be constructed directly below the slopestyle course. It promises to deliver a bevy of dirt jumps, big and small, for riders of all levels. The jump park plays host to the bike park's newest event, the Sleeman's Jump Jam. Mark that one on your calendars - Saturday, August 25th.
In all, over $50,000 in bike park improvements are complete, or are in the works for the start of the bike season at Mount Washington. Other additions, including extended riding hours of 11am to 7:30pm, seven days a week until September 4th, will undoubtedly produce some mass appeal from the local riding scene. The resort is definitely aiming to please for summer 2007.
If you're looking for the bike park's trail status for opening day, be sure to bookmark the trail report section from the mountain's bike park website at bike.mountwashington.ca. At this site you will find useful information for improving your day of ripping at the hill.
Mount Washington Alpine Resort opens for mountain biking on Saturday, June 30th. The Resort is a 30-minute from the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. WestJet, Air Canada, Central Mountain Air and Pacific Coastal Airlines service the Comox Valley Airport (YQQ). For accommodation and package information, call Mount Washington Alpine Resort at 1-888-231-1499 toll free or locally at 338-1386. Surf to www.mountwashington.ca for additional information including the live mountain cam.