MTN DISPATCH UPDATES
Business Operation Alerts & More Info.
Find Mountain Dispatch Updates here on this page below, on our Mount Washington Mobile App. Updates are shared as soon as possible when information is available to our team. Learn about what's happening here at Mount Washington to help improve your experience enjoying our many activities.
EAGLE INCOMING ALONG WITH THE SUNRISE... BONUS WEEKEND #2!
Early Opening #2 December 7th to 8th, 2024
The stoke was high around Mount Washington Alpine Resort this past weekend for our first sneak peek bonus days, and we're opening again this Saturday and Sunday, December 7th to 8th with even more terrain available.
Mount Washington Early Opening, Weekend #2 Highlights:
- The Eagle Chair, Sunrise Chair & Hawk Chair will all be spinning from 9 am to 3:30 pm along with the Tube Park Carpet and Teaching Carpet.
- The mini Terrain Park next to the carpet will have some features, and 2-3 lanes of The Tube Park will be open Saturday & Sunday.
- For what's open and groomed, view details each morning on our website or mobile app.
- Be cautious of early season conditions, there are snow hazards in the trees and around the slopes. Respect the Responsibility Codes and avoid closed areas.
- Discounted alpine lift tickets are only available in person at resort ticket windows: $109 adult, $99 youth/senior, $79 child. Gold, Alpine and Midweek Pass Holders can all visit early this weekend! Ensure your Pass is loaded before heading to the lifts.
- Outdoor Elements store, Season Pass office, & the Demo Centre will be open again.
- Alpine Lessons and Alpine Rentals will open Saturday & Sunday 8 am to 4 pm. Limited spots for Discovery and Private Lessons will be available.
- Ted's Bar & Grill will open with a limited après menu Saturday & Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm.
- Eagle View Bistro will open again from 9 am to 4 pm, offering limited service including hot drinks and baked goods. Hot food will be served in Ted's!
- The MW Shuttle Bus will be running with stops in town and at the base.
- The Main Terrain Park and Daycare are not yet open for the season until December 13th. Stay tuned for updates!
Nordic Centre at Raven Lodge, Weekend #2 Highlights:
- Raven Lodge will be open again from 9 am to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday!
- Over 25 km of classic and skate XC terrain will open on the Mount Washington side, and tobogganing will also be available on Saturday only; see the morning Nordic Report each day for specific trail details.
- Crews have been out working in Strathcona Park, however, we need a bit more snow to open these areas safely. Stay tuned!
- Regular prices trail passes are available at Raven Lodge. XC tickets: $32 adult, $26 youth/senior, $21 child. Snowshoe tickets: ages 13+ $15, ages 12 & under $11.
- Raven Retail & Raven Rentals will be open for services, as well as Raven Cafe offering limited service and a place to warm up.
We can't wait to welcome back our valued community for another bonus weekend getting into our winter 2024/25 season together. It's all happening, folks! Review full details about early opening weekend #2 on pages of our website or mobile app, and watch the video now for behind the scenes on the Eagle Chair maintenance project.
Eagle Chair Maintenance: The Birds' Got Fresh Wings
A huge shout-out goes to York Machine in Campbell River for squeezing us in and working OT to get a last-minute bit of machining done on the same day; this helped to keep the Eagle Chair project progressing on time, and even to open early! Other key partners were Kissling Gearbox from Switzerland, Murray Latta Progressive Machine in Surrey, and Rigging Specialties from Canmore Alberta. Special thanks to all these key players for helping to get the old bird some fresh wings. Enjoy laps on Eagle Chair this weekend, December 7th to 8th, 2024.
Vancouver Island is lusting for La Niña... 258 cm snow base at 1488 m!
WE ARE SO BACK! GET YOUR SKIS ONTO SNOW THIS WEEKEND.
Early Opening November 30th - December 1st, 2024
We are SO back! Get your skis onto the snow this weekend at Mount Washington for the first of our early opening bonus days, from November 30th to December 1st, 2024. The snow gods delivered the goods over the last few weeks, stacking up our snow base from the Hawk/Nordic plot at 144 cm, to the mid-mountain Whiskey Jack plot of a whopping 258 cm. This is the resorts earliest opening in over 8 years... Vancouver Island is lusting for La Niña.
Mount Washington Early Opening Highlights:
- Whiskey Jack & Hawk Chairlifts spinning from 9 am to 3:30 pm; for what's open and groomed, view details each morning on our website or mobile app.
- The Magic Carpets will not be open, the alpine sneak peek is not recommended for first-timers or tots under 6. Be cautious of early season conditions and snow hazards.
- Discounted lift tickets only available in person at resort ticket windows: $79 adult, $69 youth/senior, $59 child. Gold, Alpine and Midweek Pass Holders can visit early!
- Outdoor Elements store, Season Pass office, & the Demo Centre will also be open.
- Eagle View Bistro will open from 9 am to 4 pm, offering limited service including hot drinks and baked goods. Pack and lunch and tail gate like the good old days.
- The MW Shuttle Bus will be running with stops in town and at the base.
- The Terrain Park, Tube Park, Lessons, Alpine Rentals and Daycare are not yet open for the season. There is no hot food service available.
- Eagle Chairlift is undergoing regular scheduled maintenance and will be rolling soon! Stay tuned for more information about that project next week.
Nordic Centre at Raven Lodge Highlights:
- Raven Lodge will be open from 9 am to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday!
- Over 12 km of classic and skate XC terrain will open, 2-3 snowshoe trails, and tobogganing will also be available; see the morning Nordic Report for specific details.
- Discounted full-day trail passes will be available at Raven Lodge. XC tickets: $26 adult, $21 youth/senior, $16 child. Snowshoe tickets: ages 13+ $10, ages 12 & under $6.
- Raven Retail & Raven Rentals will be open for services, as well as the cafe offering limited service and a place to warm up.
Purchase your shareable 6IXPAK tickets online, in person at Stokefest, or in store at Quality Foods! The best savings end this Sunday, December 1st.
We can't wait to welcome back our valued community and begin the winter 2024/25 season together. It's all happening, folks! Review full details about early opening on pages of our website or mobile app, and watch the video now for more information.
Official Media Release
Snow & Safety Update: November 21, 2024
The Waiting Game... Snow is falling, but please don't come a calling!
Would you look at that! This week's storm delivered a massive dump of snow on the mountain, and our team has been busy digging, packing and preparing for your arrival. But as the snow is falling, please don't come a calling! For the safety of our team members and the public, all terrain within Mount Washington Alpine Resort boundaries is strictly off-limits until we open. As Mike and Rich explain in this video, winch cat operations will be active across the mountain, causing extreme hazards.
The waiting game is a practice of patience, but rest assured, our mountain team is working hard in preparation and eagerly awaiting the mountains opening to welcome you all back for the winter 2024/25 season! While we wait, it's the perfect time to get your stretches in, load your Season Pass or pick up a 6IXPAK, and watch the webcams as snow continues accumulating across the slopes. For access to backcountry areas not within the resort, please adventure safely and review information from the Vancouver Island Avalanche Bulletin before heading out. #myMW
Learn more about winter snow sport savings opportunities below!
Letter from the Rec Guide Editor: All About Mission Affordability
Hello folks! I'm Jen, the Senior Manager of Skier Services at Mount Washington. I'm excited to share a bit about my journey with the resort, which started as a ski instructor 25 years ago - wow, time sure flies when you're having fun! While many things have evolved here since then, my passion for skiing and this mountain has remained the same. When I'm not at work, you'll often find me sharing the love of the alpine with my husband and two boys, embracing the same thrills and joy that first drew me to the slopes all those years ago.
Throughout this Recreation Guide, look for the Mission Affordability icon to find places where you can save. Remember, it always pays off to plan ahead and book your experiences before arrival!
We've listened to your feedback and my team is thrilled to share some exciting updates to our winter programming. This season, we're bringing back half-day and full-day options for all Tots and Kids Group Lessons. We've extended the half-day sessions by 45 minutes and the full-day sessions by 1.5 hours to give your children even more time on the snow to enjoy and progress their skills.
In addition, we've lowered the cost of lift tickets and rental add-ons for group lesson participants, offering you significant savings. This means more value and less hassle, allowing you to enjoy well-deserved downtime while they learn. For extra convenience, consider adding lunch to the full-day lesson—giving your kids a complete day of adventure and learning while you get a full day of solo relaxation.
If you're new to skiing or snowboarding, take advantage of our fantastic programs designed specifically for beginners. Kick off your season with our Free Discovery Days from December 13-20 for ages 13+, where you can learn the basics at no cost! For a more comprehensive start, check out our Learn to Turn package; it includes three separate lessons with rental gear and lift tickets, giving you everything you need to hit the slopes with confidence.
Once you've completed a Learn to Turn package, adults can take advantage of our starter gear offers, saving up to 50% off retail prices. Plus, you're eligible for a season pass at just $119!
For the seasoned snow pros seeking to progress their skills further, booking multiple camps or seasonal programs instead of individual lessons can save you even more. Or join us for Family Friday Nights for special weekly deals on lift tickets, rentals, lessons, food and more!
I know my family is counting down the days until we're back on the snow together again, and we hope you are too! I can't wait to see all your smiling faces on the mountain this winter.
Sincerely,
Jen Crabtree
Sr. Manager or Skier Services
2024-25 WINTER RECREATION GUIDE ONLINE NOW
The Winter Rec Guide: Reserve Your Snow Sports Now!
Our 2024/25 Winter Snow Sports Recreation Guide is now available! Click to download the pdf or pickup a printed magazine at one of our island distribution locations: Ski Tak Hut, Blue Toque, ROAM Media, Alternative Groove, The Comox Valley & Campbell River Visitor Centres, VI Public Libraries, and some recreation centres. If you already know what program you'd like to book or are looking for more details, please contact us at lessons@mountwashington.ca Our Rec Sales Agents are available via email and phone to assist with booking your experience.
We can't wait to hear from you and help reserve your snow sports. You can also click here to view Lesson & Rental details on pages of our website. Let it snow, let it snow!
NEW! Family Friday Nights
Your New Favourite Weekly Tradition
TICKET & RENTAL PACKAGES:
CHILD $15 | YOUTH $30 | ADULT $40
FRESH CUT? BEHIND THE SCENES ON SUMMER GROOMING.
More about brushwork projects completed around alpine and Nordic terrain over this summer.
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Now that fall is here and summer alpine days are becoming distant memories, it's time to share what our team was working on behind the scenes to prepare the slopes for the next season of mountain magic. Behind every epic winter season is a summer of hard work!
Our team and several partners have been busy brush-cutting and grooming areas all around the mountain to ensure that your favourite trails and chairlifts are ready to safely open for action when the snow covers. Have a peek at The Backside Boom aerial photos on this page and read the full list of projects below.
Run mowing of the alpine and Nordic areas was completed in partnership with Over The Edge Excavating:
On Mount Washington's alpine terrain:
- clear cut below McKay and Copper Glades to allow for earlier access to The Outback and improved fall line skiing
- mowing on West Bull, East Bull, O'Henry, and Park View, as well as Park Lane and Lower Rainbow on the Sunrise Chair side of the mountain
- brush saw cutting by the MW team on all of Easy Acres, Lower Westerly from Reverse Traverse, and Easy Rider for access to the Hawk Chair terrain
- The MW Freestyle Club completed slope projects on Lower Retirement, which included earthworks to meet FIS regulations and better operations of their airbag
- The Alpine Ski Club completed cutting down Whiskey Jack (pictured below)
At the Nordic Centre at Raven Lodge:
- Ravens and the Raven/Jutland connector, West Passage, and Legacy
- The Nordic Club completed further mowing on Sprint Loop and World Cup
Maintenance access projects completed in partnership with Mosaic:
“Mosaic and Mount Washington Alpine Resort continue to work together in support of public access to roads, Nordic trails and Outback areas located on Mosaic’s private forest lands. Mount Washington consistently demonstrates a track record of responsible use and shares Mosaic’s focus on public safety and protecting the environmental values associated with our working forest. Mount Washington is currently expanding trails and parking areas, and Mosaic provided large rock and gravel for these improvements which will support increased tourism on Vancouver Island.” - Colin Koszman, Mosaic’s Land Use Forester. Pictured below left to right is Mike Manara, Mount Washington's Director of Operations & Sport, with Colin Koszman.
Along with the above brushwork maintenance, drainage projects have been completed on Lower Coaster, Retirement and Linton's, Easy Acres, Lower Westerly and Lower Rainbow. Additional winch anchors have also been installed off Eagle Chair to assist with grooming the upper mountain. Our Grooming department is under new management and our team has many seasoned snowcat pros ready to get back in action to prepare the slopes for your adventures.
And that's only a few pieces of the mountain puzzle! The Mount Washington team is just as excited as you are to see everything and everyone come together for winter 2024/25. Stay tuned for more exciting announcements about this 45th anniversary season over the coming weeks.
2024/25 SEASON PASSES
Last call for savings is Monday, October 14th!
A Gold Season Pass is the only Mount Washington access type that comes with unlimited access to both alpine and Nordic activities. The lowest price for winter 2024/25 ended on April 8th, 2024, but discounted rates are still available! Get $160 off your Gold Pass until Thanksgiving Monday, October 14th. Families save an extra 10% off three or more season passes. Reload your existing RFID card online using the WTP number on the back, or purchase your pass on a new card.
THE MEMO BLOG & MEDIA RELEASES
Mount Washington Alpine Resort Announces Deep Freeze on Price Increases through its Mission Affordability Plan in Summer 2024 and Winter 2024/25
The Mission Affordable initiative began this past spring with a 10% price decrease on advanced purchases of winter 2024/25 season passes, and extends beyond lift ticket pricing to new low-priced signature menu options in restaurants, progressive bike lessons and snow school programming with discounted offers for beginners, midweek activity discounts, group booking savings, and more. The list of winter 2024/25 cost reductions will grow throughout the summer, and additional initiatives will be announced this fall. Discounted summer activities and programs are available now.
Reflecting on Mount Washington’s commitment to affordability, general manager Dean Prentice commented, “There have been challenges posed by inflation and increased costs for both the resort and its guests from around Vancouver Island and beyond over the past few years. For the upcoming summer and winter seasons, the resort plans to freeze or reduce the costs of most activity products, adding low-cost food and beverage items, and various other experiences, aiming to make visiting Mount Washington and its amenities as accessible as possible to as many guests as possible.”
The commitment to affordability is encouraged by Pacific Group Resorts, Inc. (PGRI), Mount Washington’s parent company based in Park City, Utah. A core tenet of the company’s long-term strategic position has been offering affordable mountain escapes starting with the introduction of the Mission Affordable suite of lift products and extending to the most comprehensive Free Learn to Ski and Ride programs in the industry. By prioritizing value-driven initiatives, through this new Mission Affordability program, PGRI’s resorts aim to make mountain recreation accessible to a broader audience ensuring more people can enjoy the scenic beauty and activities more often, without compromising on the quality of the guest experience.
Prentice also noted, “Mission Affordability recognizes the economic challenges inflation has, and continues to have, on our community. At Mount Washington, we are in the business of staying in business, but committing to freezing or reducing prices now for the upcoming seasons wherever possible, ensures we’re doing our part to provide a relief valve for our guests to enjoy mountain activities, and have fun here exploring the outdoors and all the amenities that accompany a great visit.”
Mount Washington Alpine Resort is located just a 30-minute drive from the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. 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 operates 55 kilometers of designated cross-country skiing, and 25km of snowshoeing and fat biking trails, along with a dedicated world-class Nordic Centre facility, Raven’s Lodge. 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). For more information, please visit www.mountwashington.ca
About Pacific Group Resorts Inc. (PGRI)
Pacific Group Resorts, Inc. is an international resort operating company based in Park City, Utah whose portfolio includes Jay Peak in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Wintergreen Resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Mt. Washington Alpine Resort in the Beaufort Mountain Range on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Wisp Resort in the Appalachian Mountains of western Maryland, and Powderhorn Mountain Resort on the Grand Mesa of western Colorado. PGRI also manages the mountain operations of Ragged Mountain in New Hampshire, which is not owned by Pacific Group Resorts, Inc. Combined the company operates over 4,000 acres of ski terrain serving about 1 million skier visits per year, 99 holes of golf, over 40 food & beverage outlets, over 4,000 pillows, plus tennis, pickleball, pools, a water park, athletic fields, a whitewater rafting course, numerous retail operations, spas, and a variety of other amenities. For more information on PGRI, please visit www.pgri.us
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Introducing: Mission Affordable
Bike Park Saving Highlights:
- Bike Park Season Passes are $100 off until Monday, June 24th. An adult season pass is just $359 to ride any day all summer long!
- Bike Park single-day tickets are $55 for an adult midweek (new this summer) and $65 on weekends.
- NEW DirtPak 3-ticket mountain bike lift product. Share tickets and save on your access to lift-accessed riding with a DirtPak, just $159 for 3 adult tickets. Only available in person at ticket windows.
- Discounted beginner Learn to Ride lesson packages are $109 for an adult and include a lift ticket, 2-hour equipment rental and 2-hour bike lesson. Just for newbies to downhill mountain biking!
- Save 50% off Learn to Ride mountain bike beginner packages every Tuesday and Wednesday all summer!
- NEW Bike lift ticket & equipment rental packages: starting from just $164 midweek for an adult to rent a full mountain bike and helmet package along with a full day lift ticket. Package savings offers 23% off these products compared to last summer.
- Family $5 Fiver Fridays continue in the Bike Park and Scenic Chairlift, offering super discounted access to families: $5 child tickets, $10 youth, $15 adult, every Friday all summer.
- NEW Super Saturday Savings: 2 for 1 Bike Park Tickets every Saturday evening from 5:30-7:30pm, bring a friend and split the deal for half off.
Zipline & Other Summer 2024 Highlights:
- Zipline for $99 or less Monday to Wednesday! Save and soar on the Eagle's Flight ZipTour midweek. Enjoy the peace and quiet in the alpine!
- Group Zipline Discounts! Save up to 20% off when you get your crew together to soar with the eagles on our 4-span zipline tour experience. Group deals are available for parties of 3 or more people, any day of the week all summer long. Call to save!
- Getting married in the mountains? The Bride & Groom saying "I do" here at Mount Washington access all activities, including ziplining and mountain biking, completely FREE!
- Wedding guests visiting us for the celebration save up to 30% off all activities*! Call our team to book these discounts.
- Kids Adventure Camps are available with bus transportation from the Comox Valley to the mountain! 4-days of alpine activities including a trip to the Marmot Recovery Centre, a day in the Bike Park learning skills, hiking, and more fun.
- Dine on the Eagle View Patio with an affordable meal option for under $10 dollars! Summer Special: a hot dog (veggie or meat) and an ice cream cone.
- Daycare is now available at the mountain weekends all summer! Enjoy access to professional childcare on Saturdays and Sundays for your kiddos who are not quite old enough to access mountain activities with you.
Winter 2024/25 Season Mission Affordable Savings:
Prices above are based on Adult 19+ access, click to view details for youth, senior and child on pages our website for each product.
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