Mt Washington This Week
The heavy snowfall in Western North America last winter (well, even heavier than usual), means that more ski areas have decided to open for summer skiing there than ever before – three in fact.
Along with the usual option of glacier skiing on Whistler's Blackcomb, the snow slopes will open for a second year at weekends at Mount Washington in Vancouver Island (pictured) and also – new this year - at Grouse Mountain above Vancouver.
Mount Washington Alpine Resort will open from 11am to 4pm on June 18 and 19 and tickets will be $25 per person. Mount Washington's current plans are to open Whiskey Jack, Coaster, and the Stomping Ground Terrain Park. This provides two additional trails when compared to the June event last year.
What started out as wishful thinking for hardcore snow sliders last year has now turned into a bit of a tradition, thanks to back-to-back plentiful snow seasons.
"This is starting to look familiar," jokes resort spokesperson Brent Curtain. "If we can match the picture perfect weather we had during our ski weekend last June, this year should be amazing with all of the snow we have on the mountain. We received over 19 metres of snow this winter, the deepest winter in resort history, and we still have depths of up to 4 metres mid-mountain,"
Meanwhile due to that same, "significant late season snowpack," Whistler Blackcomb will be opening a summer tube park in the Whistler alpine.
Guests heading up the mountain will be able to experience the thrill of sliding on snow in June for as long as the snowpack allows. The Coca Cola Tube consists of three lanes located at the top of the Whistler Village Gondola near the Whistler PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola terminal. Tickets are $5 for unlimited runs and are available at the Roundhouse Traders desk in the Roundhouse Lodge.
Then for those who cannot wait until next winter season, the Horstman Glacier will be open for summer skiing/riding June 18 to July 24 from noon-3 p.m. daily.
"The conditions are expected to be excellent on the glacier this year after terrific late season snowfall." Said a resort statement.
The 'glacier experience' is perfect for intermediate to advanced skiers and riders and also offers the opportunity for guests to improve their jump and freestyle skills.
A number of ski and snowboard camps will also use the Horstman Glacier during the summer months with Olympic champions and some of the hottest pros in the industry as coaches. Upload to the glacier begins at 11a.m. from the base of Blackcomb Mountain via the Wizard Express and Solar Coaster chairs to the Rendezvous. Skiers and boarders can then take a shuttle bus to the 7th Heaven Express Chair which takes them to the top of Blackcomb Mountain.