Category: Winter Sports

COMOX VALLEY – January is the annual Rossignol Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month at Mount Washington. During the whole month, Mount Washington focuses on providing the opportunity for as many people as possible to get out and try winter sports by offering significant discounts on lessons, rentals, and lift tickets and by supporting the effort with extra staffing and programs for beginners.  For a special “Learn To” week which is January 9^th to 13^th, the resort provides “Discover Packages” at 50% off for first-time skiers, snowboarders and cross-country skiers.

“Winter is not for hibernation,” laughed Mike Manara, Snow School Director at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. “Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month is all about getting out and learning a new sport – fresh air and fun!  Our certified Snow School instructors and beginner-friendly terrain play a big part in making it easy to learn.’” Manara also noted, “All of our instructors are fully certified with the Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance, the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors or Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors. The instruction we offer is of the highest caliber and our aim is to see the student linking turns and having fun after their first lesson.”

With a unique beginner area, Mount Washington boasts five ‘Magic Carpets’ which are widely recognized as the best method for beginners to get up the hill.  The ‘Magic Carpets,’ which most closely resemble a moving walkway found in airport concourses, gently whisk beginners up a covered conveyer to the top of the gentle Easy Acres slope. ‘We invested over 3-million dollars into our beginner area in 2012,’ explained Peter Gibson, General Manager. “We graded the slope to a much more beginner-friendly pitch and installed the magic carpets to create a world class beginner area. Since the development of Easy Acres, we have introduced over 20,000 participants to the sports of skiing and snowboarding through our certified Snow School programs.”

January also marks the start of the seasonal Snow School programs. For all ages, these 5 to 10 week programs will provide the foundations for novice and intermediate level skiers and riders to be confident out on the slopes.  More advanced participants will have the opportunity to reach the next level in your abilities.

Rossignol Ski and Snowboard Month at Mount Washington includes: 50% off alpine and Nordic Discover Packages during Rossignol “Learn To” week, January 9 – 13; Winterfest which offers 50% off alpine and Nordic day tickets, January 16 – 20; and this year the resort announced the introduction of Never Ever Days to the Resort which is all-inclusive package January 7 and 21 for just $25. Details can be found online at www.mountwashington.ca

ABOUT MOUNT WASHINGTON

Mount Washington Alpine Resort is located just 30 minutes from the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia and hosts over 300,000 visits per year.  In the winter, guests enjoy five chairlifts and five carpet lifts accessing over 1,700 acres and 1,657 vertical feet of alpine terrain.  The resort also has 55 kilometers of designated cross-country skiing and 25km of snowshoeing trails along with a dedicated Nordic lodge.

Summer activities at Mount Washington include lift-accessed mountain biking, a new quad bungy trampoline, scenic chairlift rides, disc golf, miniature golf, boardwalk chess and checkers, shopping and dining.  The resort also plays host to over 30 weddings per year plus numerous group and corporate events.

Off-island visitors can use WestJet, Air Canada, Central Mountain Air, and Pacific Coastal Airlines which provide air service to the Comox Valley Airport (YQQ) or they can fly right into Comox Marina via Harbour Air.  Additional carriers serving the Victoria Airport (YYJ) includes Alaska Airlines out of Seattle.

To all Mount Washington Season Passholders,

Believe us when we say we understand how frustrating the start of this season has been. We appreciate your business, your patience and your loyalty to Mount Washington Alpine Resort. We are happy to provide you with this opportunity to get on some snow before it arrives in earnest on Vancouver Island.

Here are the details you will need to know before skiing and boarding for free from January 6-31, 2014 on Whistler Blackcomb:

WHO GETS THE DEAL?

• Applies to 2013-14 Mount Washington Gold, Alpine, Midweek and Student seasons passes only
• Midweek passholders get the deal from January 6 – 31, weekends included
• Does not apply to Mount Washington Volunteer or Staff passes
• Deal does not apply to pre-purchased 6Paks, multi or single day tickets

WHAT DO YOU RECEIVE?

• All eligible Mount Washington passholders are entitiled to receive one Whistler Blackcomb day ticket per person when they show up at a Whistler Blackcomb ticket location between January 6 to 31, 2014
• Mount Washington passholders must show their current 2013.14 winter season pass to receive a day ticket. This process must be followed for each day the Mount Washington passholder wishes to ski/board
• No multi day tickets will be issued by Whistler Blackcomb as part of the deal, single day tickets only
• You will be requested to attach the day ticket to your jacket at the Whistler Blackcomb ticket window location with your seasons pass

HOW LONG DOES THIS DEAL LAST?

• The free ticket deal lasts until January 31, 2014 or until Mount Washington opens enough terrain for a full-price lift ticket, whichever comes first.
• If Mount Washington opens before the end of January with a full price ticket, the deal at Whistler Blackcomb ends (with a three-day grace period)

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?

• Mount Washington passholders will need their current 2013.14 winter season pass plus a seperate piece of photo ID. additional paperwork required by Whistler Blackcomb will be needed

Whistler Blackcomb has provided a link to last minute accommodation deals, please visit Last Minute Hotel Deals