From the reopening of the Mountain Bike Park to the development of the new Eagle View Bistro and partnership with Rossignol in the new Outdoor Elements Retail Store, all signs are pointing toward expansion at the Vancouver Island Resort.
“These are exciting times,” says Mount Washington General Manager Peter Gibson. “When you consider where we were a year ago to where we are now, it’s only an example of where we’re going to be two years from now.”
The Resort has hired a new Sales Manager to market banquets and conferences at the Resort, and the Management Team is working on expanding summer programs at Mount Washington (PGRI has strong summer programs at its three American resorts, Wisp, Wintergreen and Ragged).
This past summer was a strong one for Mount Washington, says Don Sharpe, Director of Business Operations. “Summer was strong. We’re definitely looking at putting more in for summer… and development of product off the top of the mountain,” he added.
Snowcat Fleet Expansion
The Resort purchased three new snow cats to improve grooming. The Resort also announced that the first of three new winchcats from a sister resort has arrived, and two more brand new Bison and Bison X groomers from Prinoth are on their way. The additions will bring the total groomer fleet to eight. George Trousdell, Director Mountain Operations stated “Our snowcat operators are excited to get into the new machines. They know that with better equipment we can get more runs groomed on a more consistent basis.”
“The winch cat allows us to get to areas that are harder to reach,” Sharpe added. “We’re hoping it will allow us to get terrain groomed that we don’t groom all the time. It also allows us to have a backup groomer for Nordic. “It’s probably the biggest thing we purchased for this winter,” Sharpe said. “It will make a difference to everybody.”
Eagle View Bistro
New for 2016/17 Eagle View Bistro offers visitors to the Resort a second dining option. Taking over the former space of the Altitude Retail Shop the Restaurant seats 60 – 70 guests and will feature an outdoor deck in the spring and summer and will help improve service on busy weekends and holidays.
“We’re very excited about the new Restaurant,” says Tim Defert, Resort Director of Hospitality. “Eagle View Bistro is a Bakery and Bistro with a Cappuccino Bar. The finishings are much higher end than we’ve been used to in the past. It’s going to be a very comfortable space, very bright and inviting.”
The contractor opened up the front of the Restaurant with larger windows that show the mile-high view up the mountain. Both the interior and exterior feature wood, and the exterior will have a deck overlooking Easy Acres for the spring. Eagle View now gives people two options for evening dining, between the Bistro and Ted’s Bar & Grill in the Alpine Lodge.
Mount Washington’s famous sticky buns will be available at Eagle View, as well soups, sandwiches and light lunches. They also offer bistro-style dinners, serving local craft beer and wine.
“It’s offering a new and better product for us.” Resort Director of Business Operations Don Sharpe said.
Outdoor Elements, with a touch of France…
Outdoor Elements also signals an exciting change at Mount Washington. Outdoor Elements will feature Rossignol products in a larger, more innovative ski shop. Along with the traditional ski and snowboard gear from Rossignol and other suppliers, the General Store has been integrated into the new location as a small, French-themed market. The Petit Market will sell grocery items as well as beer and wine.