One of the most exciting programs, spearheaded by Snow School Director Mike Manara, is the Rookie Year. The Resort hopes the new program will become the new industry standard for getting kids out on the snow.
Rookie Year is for kids who have never skied or snowboarded before.
The simplicity of Rookie Year speaks for itself: Brand new skiers and boarders receive a season pass – providing unlimited time on snow – unlimited ski or snowboard rentals and unlimited afternoon group lessons in Mountain Kids, all season long, for one price. The Rookie Year passes cost $199 for kids aged four and five, and $399 for kids aged six to 12 years.
“We’re trying to offer active parents a viable economic option to get their kids out on the snow,” Curtain said.
“With this exciting new program, Mount Washington Alpine Resort is determined to turn the younger generation back onto skiing and snowboarding, and help families discover the world of snow.”
Curtain anticipates a new holiday will also draw families to the Resort.
New this year is the B.C. Family Day statutory holiday on Feb. 11, 2013. To celebrate this new holiday, Mount Washington will have 50% off sales on the Monday.
Mount Washington Drafts a Military Discount for 2012/13
To encourage mid-week traffic, the Resort is offering military members a 20% off deal on day tickets from Monday through Friday. Members need only show their Department of National Defence card to qualify for the discount. A new Seniors Day is also planned.
Equipment Rental System Streamlined
On the convenience side, the Resort has streamlined its process for booking rental equipment. A new online booking system is available for people to pre-book their rentals. Then when they get up to the Resort they can take the express lineup.
“Overseas Visitors” Encouraged to Cross The Pond
Curtain and Tourism Mount Washington Manager Sarah Nicholson are working with WestJet and BC Ferries to get the word out about Mount Washington.
They also attended ski shows in Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto, offering some aggressive packages to draw people to Vancouver Island.
“We’re trying to attract more people from ‘overseas’, per se,” Curtain said of turning their focus to the other side of Georgia Strait.
‘Staycations’ were becoming the norm for the past two years, but travel trends have seen more people venturing further afield.
Campbell River Shuttle Service
Skiers from Campbell River will have a new way to get to Mount Washington Alpine Resort this winter. The Resort has contracted Destiny River Adventures to provide a ski bus shuttle from Campbell River to the base parking lot at Mount Washington. “This year we’re dipping our toes in on a trial basis,” say George Trousdell, Resort Director of Maintenance and Operations.
At the end of the season the Resort will evaluate whether to expand the service or not. Cost to ride the shuttle will be $10 round trip, (Resort staff ride for free).
The bus leaves Spirit Square in Campbell River at 7 am, with stops at Willow Point Plaza at 7:20 am, Discovery Foods in Oyster River at 7:35 am and the Hammond/Macauley Road intersection at 7:40 am. It arrives at base parking at 8 a.m, where passengers can transfer to a Mount Washington bus connecting to the Resort. The return shuttle departs base parking at 4:30 p.m.