And they’re content to build on the successful events that attracted people to the Resort last summer.
‘We just want to see where things are going,’ says Resort President Peter Gibson.
The Mile High Chairlift is ready to take visitors and locals alike to Mount Washington’s summit. Disc golf, mini golf and the bungy trampoline await the adventurous and competitive alike.
The Suds and Scotch Festival returns on July 13 to Raven Lodge; the event features beer, scotch and live music from Canadian extreme violinist Kytami (formerly of Delhi 2 Dublin).
The Alpine Wine and Food Festival returns Aug. 24-25; Friday features a wine and food tasting at Raven Lodge, and Saturday features a wine pairing dinner. Shuttles are available to and from the event for ticket holders.
The Alpine Inukshuk Building Contest is a new event planned for July 28-29 at the summit. Take the chairlift to the top, build your own Inukshuk and enter to win a prize for the best rock creation.
While the Resort was slated to open for the summer season on June 29, the Bike Park won’t open until July 28, a couple of weeks later than originally anticipated. The Resort decided to let nature take its course to melt the near-record snowpack, and elected to go with a shorter summer mountain biking season with good quality trails, Gibson said.
‘For us the focus is with the Bike Park – maintaining and buffing out the trails that already exist,’ Resort Director of Public Relations Brent Curtain said. There will be a good mix for beginners through to experts, Curtain added.
There is a price freeze for the bike park this summer, and some prices will be reduced due to the shortened season.
While the mountain biking event schedule is pared down compared to last summer, there is still reason for riders to be stoked: the Bearclaw Invitational returns to Mount Washington Aug. 3-4, and the BC Cup Provincials are back August 24–26.
The Bearclaw Slopestyle Event gets worldwide attention since it draws competitors from the Freeride Mountain Bike World Tour, Curtain said. It also draws thousands of spectators over the B.C. Day long weekend.
Event organizer Darren Berrecloth built the slopestyle course through the trees last year, leaving a permanent legacy. ‘What’s really rad is that this Bearclaw Invitational course will be permanent, so no more building and then tearing it down each fall,’ Berrecloth wrote on his event website.
‘It was one of the most unique slopestyle courses ever built,’ Curtain said.