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Mount Washington opens early this year
It looks like Mount Washington might benefit from another year of La Niňa weather. That means colder than average temperatures and higher than average precipitation, which usually means more snow. Last year's snowfall of more than 1,840cm set a new record for the resort, surpassing the previous record from the 1998-99 season.
The snow began accumulating early this year, allowing Mount Washington to open a week before its scheduled date. The alpine ski lifts, Nordic ski trails, snowshoeing areas and snowtube tracks are open for business. The resort even has a new treat for fresh skiers and boarders.
Over the summer, the resort installed four new Magic Carpets. Similar to moving sidewalks found in airports, the Magic Carpets move beginner skiers and boarders to the top of the new Easy Acres ski area without the scary first ride with the old green lift. The carpets are covered to protect you from the elements, easing beginners into their first skiing or boarding experience.
If you're an experienced skier, you'll likely turn your attention to the rest of the mountain. The snowtube tracks, alpine lifts, and Nordic trails are open every day. If you want to shake things up from the normal ski day, you can start a bit later and ski into the night under the lights. Night skiing runs from 3:30pm to 10pm, Thursday to Sunday. Some of the Nordic trails are also lit from 4pm to 8pm Friday and Saturday.
View from a Mount Washington snowshoe trail
Snowshoeing is getting much more popular these days, and I can see why. Snowshoes give us access to some incredible locations, such as the beautiful Paradise Meadows near the Nordic lodge, that would otherwise leave us buried up to our chins. When you're not hiking, but swimming, around in 5m of snow, you'll wish you were inside sipping hot chocolate. Snowshoes keep you floating on top of all the snow and, without having to struggle through the deep powder, you're left with the time and energy to take in the sparkling snow in the trees and the pristine frozen lakes.
To get to Mount Washington, follow Highway 19 north until you're close to Courtenay and take Exit 130 up Strathcona Parkway. For the alpine resort, continue to the very end of Strathcona Parkway. For the Raven Lodge, Nordic activities and snowshoeing, take a left on Nordic Road just before you reach the top.
- Photos & text by Ross Collicutt©
