Mount Washington Alpine Resort officially opened for the winter season on Dec. 4, with more trails to follow in the coming weeks. (submitted/Caitlin Mangiacasale)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

FIRST TRACKS

Mount Washington opens on schedule for winter season

Dec 4, 2020 | 10:05 AM

NANAIMO — Vancouver Island’s biggest ski resort is open for business.

Two lifts are operating on the mountain on Friday, Dec. 4, providing access to a handful of runs of easy and intermediate difficulty.

More runs are expected to be available in the coming weeks as crews continue to work on opening up more sections of the mountain.

“Our snowmaking system has been blowing getting the slopes ready…as well as some decent help from Mother Nature for the mountain to open as scheduled,” a release from Mount Washington said.

The snow base near the top of the mountain was 70 centimetres as of Friday morning, with the base further down the mountain measuring around 32 centimetres. Mount Washington receives 11 metres of snow on average each year.

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Certain services at the mountain, such as lockers for personal items, are not being provided due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to leave personal items locked in their vehicles.

Masks are required everywhere on the mountain except when actively on the slopes.

“From your vehicle to the base area, to the chairlifts and lodges, please keep your mouth and nose covered. When away from others out on the trails, feel free to take a breather, but please keep your face covered at all other times,” the release said.

Chairlifts will be loaded in family groups with single riders either loaded on their own or distanced with another single.

Lessons and rentals remain largely unchanged from previous years, however both require advanced pre-registration.

Nordic XC and snowshoe runs are scheduled for opening Dec. 11. The tube park opens Dec. 12 with night skiing beginning Dec. 18.

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