Ski Mount Washington, BC
When many people think of skiing in British Columbia they immediately think of Whistler Blackcomb, the most popular resort in the area. But the second most popular resort in British Columbia is Mt. Washington. With more than 60 runs and a variety of snow sports to enjoy, Mount Washington is good for individuals who want to experience world-class skiing as well as families who want a fun ski vacation replete with activities.
The area is popular with skiers and those who love snow sports, so nearly everything is designed with that in mind. From lodging to dining and shopping, guests will find everything they could possibly want in the area around the resort. Mountain dining with burgers, wraps, sandwiches and ribs all the way to fine dining are available in the area. Local beers and wines are widely available in pubs and lounges in the area. Whether you decide to stay at the resort or venture around the nearby area, there is something to suit an array of different tastes.
Shopping at Mt. Washington offers everything typically found at a well-appointed resort area, there are small shops and chain stores available for everything from groceries to specialty items. Ski shops and sporting goods stores pepper the area and guests can find locally handcrafted items alongside discount brands. Ski rental and repair shops are also widely available and offer great deals and discounts throughout the season on top brands and equipment.
Attractions in the area include things like special sections at the mountain for kids only and lots of activities such as cross country, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing and avalanche training. There’s so much to do on the mountain it’s possible to keep the entire family busy for a whole vacation. There’s also a fantastic ski school as well as a snowtubing area.
Nightlife at the Mount Washington Alpine Resort includes a slope side bar and grill which offers great drink specials, live music and a wonderful après ski atmosphere. Many of the restaurants in the area have great local brews and wines and there is no shortage of bars and lounges in the area.
For the family, group or couple who wants a top notch British Columbia ski experience, Mount Washington is the ideal place to go. With almost as much height as Whistler guests will get to experience that dry island powder that the resort is famous for and slightly smaller crowds that are found at Whistler. It is a fun journey to the mountain, whether it’s made by plane or ferry, and it’s well worth the time it takes to get there. Snowboarding Zone – Mount Washington, BC:
Riders Guide – Mount Washington is known for its pristinely dry and ample snow. Up to 28 feet of snow per year and some major snowfalls happen every winter that have launched it in to fame. There are over 60 runs with most of them designed for expert riders. About 45% are marked advanced while 35% are for intermediate skiers and 20% are designed for novices and beginners. The diversity of terrain has made Mount Washington good for riders of all skill levels. Even though this is the second most popular ski resort in British Columbia the efficient lift system and smaller crowds mean that guests will rarely ever have to wait in line.
Parks and Pipes – Mt. Washington’s Stomping Ground Terrain Park has been expanded over the last few years with tons of improvements. It’s now known as one of the top terrain parks in British Columbia. Most of the features in the terrain park are designed to provide a challenge for experienced riders but there is a learning area for beginners. Rails, boxes, rollers, hips, jumps, step ups and a famous feature called Large Marge are just a few of the fantastic features in this big terrain park. The Green Zone Terrain Park has a 20 foot rainbow box, a 24 foot flat down box and a 16 foot straight box that are all 18 inches wide and good for those who need to learn or practice.
Out of Bounds – when you’re ready to try something different besides alpine skiing or the terrain parks enjoy things like cross country skiing at Mount Washington. There are 55 km of groomed cross-country and snow skating trails that help make Mount Washington the designation as one of the top 10 Nordic skiing sites in North America. There are also 20 km of trails designated for snowshoeing through the alpine meadows on the mountain. The fee to use the trails generally includes equipment rentals as well. Guests can also ride under the stars or take a few hours off and enjoy the great snowtubing park.
Hangout & Hookup – Like any large resort area, the nearby surroundings are full of places to eat, drink and meet up for après ski. Great live entertainment during the winter season makes the mountainside bar and grill one of the hotspots after a full day on the slopes.
The Deal – To get to Mt. Washington take Highway 19 from Courtenay and follow it for 19 miles. Or you can simply take a shuttle bus from Courtenay and avoid the steep and winding drive.