Archive for the ‘Mt. Washington’ Category
Photo Post: 2010 Alpine Wine Festival
For more than a decade, wine makers and wine lovers have been converging at Mount Washington Alpine Resort for the annual Alpine Wine Festival. The event has become increasingly popular, packing full the elegantly rustic Raven Lodge, and it’s quickly become one of my must-dos over the summer months.
Last weekend I grabbed one of my way-back girlfriends and headed up the mountain in the courtesy shuttle. We were soon greeted by cheery faces, an outdoor BBQ and beautifully etched wine glasses ready for filling.
The tempting cheese and fruit platters didn’t hurt either. Pairing cheese with wine is a fundamental of “Wine Drinking 101″, and it didn’t take either of us very long to dig into the brie and smoked gouda.
99 times out of 100, I’ll pick red wine over white, so I tend to split my preferred wines into two categories: (1) wine I buy when I’m cooking and want to make an impression; and (2) easy-drinking wine that I can uncork to facilitate a relaxing evening on the couch. I found no shortage of either here.
Events like the Alpine Wine Festival provide for an array of tastings and, hopefully, will open up one’s palate to new varietals. While I’ll almost always pick a pinot noir over any other offering, prior to last year’s event, I drew the line at shiraz. I’ve since learned that shiraz and syrah are, in fact, the same kind of wine (dependent on which region around the globe each hails from) and have even found one or two that I really enjoy.
With countless bottles to sip and sample from, I was bound to find some hits and misses. Some wines of note that I particularly fancied included: The Show – an Argentinian malbec; the 2006 pinot noir from Nichol Vineyard – straight from BC’s Naramata Bench; a gamay noir from Hillside Estate – also from Naramata; Ex-Nihilo‘s merlot from the Okanagan Valley; and Strut – a refreshing and summery rosé (with legs!) from the Niagara Peninsula.
The showstopper of the evening for yours truly was undoubtedly Averill Creek‘s Prevost, named for one of the Cowichan Valley’s mountains and ripe with carefully crafted flavour that just about knocked my strappy sandals off.
Perhaps one of the best aspects of the Alpine Wine Festival – apart from the obvious – is the opportunity to interact with the proprietors and learn about where what you’re sipping comes from. Wine making is a thorough and often fascinating practice that dates back thousands of years, and no two vintners’ secrets are alike.
The Alpine Wine Festival is held each summer at Mount Washington Alpine Resort and will be entering its 13th year in 2011. While there’s a 51-week wait until next year’s fest, the mountain’s got a lot of great activities and events to tide you over until then. You can check them out online or follow along on Twitter to stay up-to-date and be the first to know when the snow starts falling.
Disclosure: Though I was not paid or asked to write about the Alpine Wine Festival, I received admission for myself and my friend at no charge.
12th Annual Alpine Wine Festival
How many times have you walked into a wine shop or liquor store, intent on purchasing a tantalizing bottle of wine, only to find yourself perplexed or overwhelmed? With so many varietals, vineyards and exotic production locales around the globe, knowing where to start and what to choose can often be a daunting endeavour.
For the twelfth year in a row, Mt. Washington Alpine Resort is hoping to put an end to your confusion with the Alpine Wine Festival on Friday, August 6. Held in the Raven Lodge and boasting breathtaking panoramic views of Vancouver Island’s mountainous spine, the festival welcomes vineyards from across the Island, the country and even from overseas. Festival attendees each receive a commemorative wine glass and are encouraged to sip and sample everything their heart desires.
Accompanied by tasty food samplings, the festival will keep swinging with live entertainment courtesy of acclaimed jazz pianist and composer, Karel Roessingh. You’ll also have the opportunity to support the Vancouver Island Mountain Sport Society with a silent auction featuring some truly fabulous items up for grabs.
Confirmed wineries include:
- Coastal Black Estate Winery
- Muse Winery
- Averill Creek Winery
- Blue Moon Estate Winery
- Carbrea Vineyards
- Hillside Estate Winery
- Desert Hills Estate Winery
- Fosters Wine Estates (featuring Wolf Blass and Beringer Stone Cellars)
- PMA Wines and Spirits (featuring Two Oceans and Flat Roof Manor)
- Merridale Cider
- Sea Cider Farm and Cider House
Tickets for the event can be purchased online for $30 and attendees must be legal drinking age (19+). A courtesy shuttle is available for those attending. For more information on this and the wine pairing dinner the following night, please visit Mt. Washington Alpine Resort’s website. I hope to see you all there!
The Big Day Up – Ticket Giveaway
UPDATED: Congratulations to Jillian Mayne! Jillian is the winner of two tickets to The Big Day Up.
With only ten days to go until The Big Day Up, Mount Washington Alpine Resort is gearing up for the biggest party their slopes have ever seen. Saturday, July 17 is bound to be a toasty day under the sun, jam-packed with unbelievable musical talent from across Canada and even one epic band from Down Under.
This inaugural outdoor fiesta of sound is brought to you by Cumberland Village Works, the same brilliant group of people responsible for The Big Time Out and a whole slew of incredible musicians and artists that have passed through the Comox Valley in recent years.
Headlining this show is none other than The Cat Empire, a sensational tour de force from Australia that have amassed an admirable following. Having treated audiences around the globe to their infectious grooves, this multi-member outfit shows no signs of slowing down, driven by a ferocity rarely seen in today’s talent. While it’s next to impossible to definitively describe The Cat Empire’s musical stylings in a word or two, those at The Big Day Up can expect everything from funk, ska, reggae and even a bit of vaudeville.
Also sharing the stage at The Big Day Up are Daniel Wesley, Nine Mile, Sweatshop Union and Aaron Nazrul and the Boom Booms. Multi-Coloured Mischeif, The Naked DJs and Nova Firespun Performing Arts will be on hand to keep the party pumping well into the wee hours, followed by an after party in Mount Washington’s legendary lodge.
Tickets are available for just $62.50 (+ HST) and can be purchased online and at the following locations:
- Comox Valley – Bop City Records, Tarbell, Sound Advice, The Waverley
Campbell River – The Music Plant
Nanaimo – Lucid
Tofino – Common Loaf
Port Alberni – Sound Advice
Victoria – Lyle’s Place
Vancouver – Highlife Music
Mount Washington is offering up both camping and RV sites (for this event only) and luxe accommodation in slopeside condos for those wishing to make a night of it. For more information on the event, including how to get there, check out The Big Day Up’s official website.
Ticket Giveaway: The fine folks at Cumberland Village Works are offering up a pair of tickets to The Big Day Up to one lucky reader and winning couldn’t be easier! Simply leave a comment below telling me which artist on the bill you’d be most excited to see or Tweet the following:
I want to party at The Big Day Up thanks to @thevillageworks and @keiraanne! http://bit.ly/daASL6 #TBDU2010
A comment and a Tweet will count for two entries. The contest closes at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 14, at which time I’ll draw one winner at random to receive the two tickets. The winner must be able to attend the event at Mount Washington in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. Tickets hold no cash value and are non-transferable. Tickets are valid only for admission and do not include transportation, accommodation, travel expenses, food or beverages.
Snowmer 2010
Here I am, dreaming of flip flops, sunglasses and maxi dresses with July on the horizon, and my Island mountain throws me the biggest curve ball of the summer. While the chair lifts traditionally re-open on Father’s Day each year to kick off mountain bike season (and to take in killer expansive views of the Georgia Straight from the highest peak), Mount Washington Alpine Resort is re-opening the lifts… for snow play!
Photo: Mount Washington Alpine Resort
With snow still falling as recently as the end of May, it’s a no-brainer to take advantage and shred under the hot sun. On June 19th and 20th, skiers and snowboarders can ride the lifts for only $25, while dads can ride for just $10 (when accompanied with their offspring) on Father’s Day. Being that I never managed to make it up the hill once all season, I can’t say that this isn’t entirely tempting…
For more information on Snowmer 2010, accommodations and other great summer events on the hill, visit Mount Washington’s website. Mount Washington is located in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island.
Slopestyle Summer
I know we’re barely half-way through Spring, but with my closet quickly filling up with breezy dresses and my snowboard delegated to dust collecting duty, it’s safe to say that Summer can’t come quickly enough. Most mountains around BC are keeping their fingers crossed that this season’s snow will melt in time for the sunny months, though no mountain more than Mount Washington Alpine Resort. With a base of more than 600cm (yes, even to this minute), mountain bikers could be in for a surprise come June.
Here’s hoping the white stuff takes a hike sooner than later because this girl’s favourite mountain has a whole pile of exciting events planned for those sunny days that never end, with the extensive mountain bike terrain park and scenic lifts set to re-open on Saturday, June 19, 2010. Here’s a quick run-down of what you need to mark on your calendar:
Father’s Day
Beerfest 2010
The Big Day Up
See Jane Jump Women’s Mountain Bike Festival
Alpine Wine Festival
With Summer sunshine comes the much-dreaded HST. Stick it to the man and buy your 2010/2011 alpine or nordic season pass by the end of April and skip the extra tax. Early bird mountain bike passes are currently on sale for $250. Visit Mount Washington Alpine Resort’s official website for more information on these and other great events and offers. Sunday, June 20th
Take in a view to a thrill and bring the whole family – dads ride the mile-high lift to the top for free!Friday, July 9th from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Beer enthusiasts will assemble at the Raven Lodge for unlimited samplings, a souvenir beer glass and some good old fashioned rock and roll. Tickets sell for $30 each; must be 19+ years to attend.
[visit the website for more information]Saturday, July 17th from 2:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Cumberland Village Works presents a tasty preview to The Big Time Out, high above the Comox Valley. This day-long music festival features The Cat Empire, Daniel Wesley and much more exciting entertainment to be announced soon.
[visit the official website for more information]August 21-22, 2010
This two-day inaugural event has been designed to bring chicas of all skill levels to this alpine paradise for a weekend of riding, coaching, eating, drinking and relaxing.
[visit the official website for more information]Friday, August 6th from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
There’s nothing I look forward to more each Summer at the mountain than the Alpine Wine Festival. High class meets high altitude as wine connoisseurs and grasshoppers alike meet at the Raven Lodge, set against breathtaking mountains, to sample of the best wines that BC and the world have to offer. Tickets sell for $30 each; must be 19+ years to attend.
[visit the website for more information]
Spring Break On The Slopes
With a current base of 489 cm, it should come as no surprise that Mount Washington has been rockin’ all season. With school out for Spring Break, this is definitely the mountain’s most exciting and action-packed week. The week-long Chek News SnoJam event kicked off with the After Dark Invitational as riders from the Island, Lower Mainland and Whistler amped up the slopes under spotlights hoping to ride away with $3K.
Photo: Antonio LaFauci/LMount Washington Alpine Resort
You don’t want to miss the rest of the coming week – it’s jammed full with the Barq’s Root Beer Snowtube Festival, the Beavertails Eating Contest, Dairyland Crazy Cards and the Old Dutch Mini Olympics. A full detailed listing can be found here, but this is only a sliver of the fun that Mount Washington has planned for those interested in checking out what a 5-metre snowbase looks like. As always, the nordic and alpine trails are open – including the legendary Boomerang Outback and both snowboard terrain parks.
For more information on the mountain, snow reports and stay-and-play packages, visit Mount Washington’s website or call the mountain toll free at 1-888-231-1499.
Island Profile: Mount Washington
Two years ago, when I brought Rebecca to Mount Washington Alpine Resort with me for a girls’ snowboarding weekend, she had told a friend or two about our pending trip. A few of the comments she got in response included: “I thought Mount Washington was in Washington State,” or “There’s a mountain on Vancouver Island?”
Photo: tempest_kat on Flickr
The answer to the second of those questions is an unequivocal “yes”.
Map: Comox Valley World Cup Organizing Committee
Half-way down the spine of mountains that runs north to south along Vancouver Island, towering majestically over the Comox Valley, outdoor enthusiasts will find the home of British Columbia’s deepest snowpack. In fact, the current base reaches a depth of 391cm (that’s more than 13 feet)!
Mount Washington Alpine Resort – A History of Logos. From left-right: 1979; 1981; 1996; 1998; and 2002
Named for Rear Admiral John Washington of the British Royal Navy, construction on the resort was launched in 1977 before the lifts at Mount Washington first whisked skiers to the peak in December of 1979. The powder-laden resort was an instant success, giving nearby Forbidden Plateau some serious competition.
Photo: ai.dan on Flickr
Photo: bmann on Flickr
In its 31-year history, Mount Washington has expanded to more than 1,600 acres of skiing and snowboarding thrills, nine high-capacity lifts, extensive nordic terrain, a condominium and chalet village, tasty eateries, slippery snow tubing and a legendary backcountry area.
Trail Map: Destination Snow
One might argue that Mount Washington’s greatest value is found in the stunning vistas, stretching out across the entire Comox Valley, the Georgia Straight and rugged peaks to the south.
Needless to say, it’s not been difficult to convince Rebecca to return with me. The cold beers at Fat Teddy’s Grill in the lodge may have had something to do with that.
Photo: Calypso Orchid on Flickr
Don’t let the copious snowfall at Mount Washington fool you. The resort is also a paradise for those who seek sunshine in the summertime. With winding hiking paths, frisbee golf, BBQ events, an epic network of mountain biking trails, an annual wine festival and even some shopping, there’s no shortage ways to fill your days.
Photo: mattdil on Flickr (used with permission)
Aside from the obvious attractions, Mount Washington is also home to the endangered Vancouver Island marmot . This species is native only to the sub-alpine meadows of Mount Washington and, thanks to tireless recovery efforts, the wild marmot population has been increased from 25 to 100 since 2001. Keep your eyes open – they aren’t easy to spot! However, you may also find yourself face-to-face with bears, cougars or elk amongst the woodland.
With glistening snow and crisp air, these pictures do more than speak for themselves. Next time you find yourself visiting Vancouver Island – or exploring your own backyard – you owe it to yourself to discover the crown of the Comox Valley.
Mount Washington Alpine Resort is accessible by car at the top of an entirely paved parkway; chains are encouraged (and sometimes mandatory) throughout the winter months. From the inland Island Highway (Highway 19), take exit 130 onto Strathcona Parkway – the resort is located at 1 Strathcona Parkway. For more information, call the resort at 1-888-231-1499 or visit their website. You can also follow the resort’s updates on Twitter.
In Case You Didn’t Know…
…British Columbia has more than lived up to its reputation of being the “Wet Coast” in recent weeks. While this means puddles and downpours on the streets, it’s equated to incredible amounts of snowfall on the mountains.
Nowhere is this more prevalent than on the slopes of Mount Washington Alpine Resort. While at this time last year the mountain saw nothing more than a fresh dusting, this year’s snowfall has been smashing records like never before!
Photo: Mount Washington Alpine Resort
Crews have been scrambling to groom the more than 440 centimetres that have fallen in the last three weeks, paving the way for beyond stellar riding conditions. “Our old record for November snowfall was 300 centimetres in 2006,” explains resort spokesperson Brent Curtain. “Needless to say, this month we’ve seen unprecedented amounts of snow up here. We received 300 centimetres in the last week alone!”
Photo: Mount Washington Alpine Resort
Load up your iPod, wax your board (or planks) and dig out your toque – it should come as no surprise that Mount Washington is gearing up to hit the green button on all lifts two weeks earlier than planned for the 2009/2010 season. Operations begin this Saturday, November 28, 2009. Happy birthday to me, indeed! Rebecca and I are more than ready to “Go For Gold” as soon as we can.
For more information, directions, lift pass pricing, accommodations and more, head over to Mount Washington Alpine Resort’s website. Be sure to check out their blustery snowcams for a preview of what’s to come. This is a great time to grab a Six-Pack of lift tickets for yourself or for friends as Christmas gifts! Don’t forget to follow Mount Washington on Twitter.
Night Riders
With 2010 around the corner, news outlets are reporting that bookings have increased at ski resorts in BC’s interior. With the crowds and chaos expected during the month of February on the North Shore and in Whistler, it really comes as no surprise. While our interior’s small towns may boast some tasty snow, may I instead suggest something with a view as well?
I know me and my favourite gal are looking forward to it…
While the deadline for early bird season passes has come and gone, that doesn’t mean you can’t still hit Mount Washington for a fantastic day rate (considerably less expensive than comparable mountains in the interior) once the snow starts falling. Here’s hoping that the dusting that fell last week is just a preview of what’s to come.
Crews have been scrambling over the last month to clear brush, bushes and trees to make for expertly sculpted runs on some of the best snow BC has to offer. Also new for the 2009/2010 season is extended night skiing.
Photo: Mount Washington Alpine Resort
It’s bright lights, big mountain with twilight riding operating from 3:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. – that’s a lot of skiing or snowboarding in a 24-hour period. Hungry bellies and beer cravings can still be satisfied at a number of Mount Washington’s dining establishments that are also gearing up. And remember that you don’t need to go far to get a good night’s sleep (only to get up and do it all over again the next day) – tons of gorgeous condos and chalets dot the side of the mountain.
For more information and to plot a winter escape to Vancouver Island, visit Mount Washington’s website. I’m pretty sure that the winter packages will blow your mind.
ISLAND PROFILE: FORBIDDEN PLATEAU
While Mount Washington Alpine Resort is known for being the Island’s winter playground, it once shared this crown with another resort in the Comox Valley. Forbidden Plateau has been closed for well over a decade, but was once a mountain packed with ski enthusiasts, peaking in the 1970s. My oldest memories of the place involve many, many yellow, brown and navy one-piece ski suits.
Photo: Nemo’s great uncle on Flickr
Dutifully keeping watch over the Comox Valley, it’s easy to spot the now empty slopes about 20 minutes west of downtown Courtenay (the pink-coloured area in the middle of the map is Forbidden Plateau’s approximate location). Often well below the snow line, Forbidden Plateau no longer generates enough snow to operate as a resort, but that doesn’t stop enthusiasts from holding snowboard jump jam events throughout the winter when the pack is good.
Map: Wild Coast Magazine
Long before Mount Washington rolled out their stellar white carpet, the Valley’s earliest settlers established at Forbidden Plateau and built homesteads based on agricultural opportunities. The first lodge at the mountain, seen below in the 1930s, was likely destroyed by the largest earthquake in Canadian history. On June 23, 1946, the shaker ripped through the area, measuring in at 7.2 on the Richter Scale.
Photo: Courtenay & District Museum and Archives
What is perhaps most fascinating about the area is its rich history and, in particular, how the mountain gained its name. Though the legend varies based on who you ask, it’s said that the K’omoks First Nation band brought their women and children to the mountain for safe-keeping, anticipating a battle with a band from the Alberni Valley.
When the battle was all said and done, Red Lichen growing in the early Spring from under the snow was supposedly mistaken for blood, leading the K’omoks band to assume that the women and children had been attacked and killed. It’s believed they instead died of starvation and freezing temperatures when no one had come to retrieve them.
Photo: Austin Henry on Flickr
Photo: Zoe52 on Flickr
Today the area, as part of Strathcona Provincial Park, welcomes back-country skiers, hikers, camping fanatics and nature lovers. While the remnants of a recreation era gone by are at every turn – including the former ski rental hut below – there’s still much to see and do.
Photo: Zoe52 on Flickr
Photo: Lloyd Budd on Flickr
Those who prefer something more scenic than grueling, like myself, may be interested in hiking past a number of lakes and through flowered sub-alpine meadows to the peak of Mount Beecher. The hike can be done at a leisurely pace over the course of a morning, allowing you to dine on lunch with spectacular views of the Comox Glacier and the entire Valley.
Photo: paulhami on Flickr
Photo: bmann on Flickr
As with any of our Province’s parks, please use caution and care while venturing out. Wolves, cougars and black bears are not uncommon in the Forbidden Plateau area, but staying respectful and keeping a safe distance should ensure everyone’s safety. Please take your garbage with you, employing the “no trace” rule.
Photo: Rick McCharles on Flickr
Photo: Austin Henry on Flickr
Those wishing to visit Forbidden Plateau can do so by using Forbidden Plateau Road from Courtenay to the old lodge (which was torched in an arson incident in recent years) – this is the easiest way to access the Mount Beecher trailhead. Visitors can also follow Highway 19 and turn onto the Strathcona Parkway, driving for 20 kilometres. Turn left onto the Nordic Lodge road for 1.5 km to the Paradise Meadows parking lot. For more information on the area, please visit the BC Parks Website.