Have you been listening to grand tales of mountain adventures from your skiing and snowboarding friends? Are you the one in your circle who doesn’t ski or snowboard? It’s OK, you’re not alone, and Mount Washington is here to help.
Dubbed as one of the easiest places to learn to ski and snowboard in North America, Mount Washington’s Easy Acres is a terrific place to start. This is where you’ll find the resort’s four Magic Carpets, which are just like the moveable walkways you see at airports and are widely recognized as one of the best methods for moving beginner skiers and boarders up the slopes.
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to give it a try, the Rossignol National Ski and Snowboard Week, which runs from Jan. 5-9, may be that extra push you need. During this time, Mount Washington will be offering 50 per cent off the Discover Ski or Snowboard program, an all-inclusive package designed for those who are completely new to the sport.
The Discover program is for all ages and includes an Easy Acres lift ticket, rentals (skis/board, boots and poles) and a two-hour lesson.
Over at the Mount Washington Nordic Centre, the Discover Nordic program is the perfect introduction to the best air on Vancouver Island. During the 50 per cent off week, an adult can pick up rental gear, a trail pass and an introductory lesson for $25.
With a program for children through to seniors, at any age and in no time at all, you will be heading out into the beautiful trail system that meanders through Strathcona Provincial Park and its stands of old-growth mountain hemlock. This is the perfect way to spend a winter day.
If you still want to learn to ride and you can’t make it up to Mount Washington this week, have no fear; Discover programs run daily until the end of the season.
For more information or to book your lesson, go to mountwashington.ca, or call the resort at 250-338-1386.
– Mount Washington Alpine Resort