While the winter season still exists on the local slopes, the recent warming has riders thinking of summer lift access, and logging many thousands of vertical feet. Recently cvmtb.com caught up with Brent Curtain, PR and Promotions at Mount Washington Alpine Resort for an overview of the upcoming summer season.
Thanks to a solid but lighter snow base this spring, the bike park crew is hoping to get the trails open (conditions permitting) by the end of June. While there are no new trails planned for opening day, there are upgrade and improvement plans in place for many of the existing trails, and some new expert and novice lines that should come into service during the season.
One of the biggest upcomings for this season for the advanced rider will be a new Slopestyle course, dirt jump park and skills area on the green face. This slopestyle area will be built by skilled operator Jim Deas (last years's Bearclaw designer) so we know it's going to be a great area for skill development for many riders.
If you are travelling the island, be sure to check out the various accommodation and riding packages available during the summer. Locations such as Bear Lodge, and the Alpine Village provide many options for your summer stay. Keep your eyes peeled along the highway for the new killer billboard featuring last year's slopestyle course.
Summer passes are now available in both single ($225) and family passes ($439), a small increase over last seasons rates.
Summer Calendar of Events
After a shuffling of events this summer, a mix of old favorites and new events will grace the calendar this year. Kicking things off in July with Learn to Ride Week and the Canada Cup National Championships, the summer really heats up with the return of the Bearclaw Invitational Slopestyle competition. The brainchild of Darren Berrecloth, this event will now be held the week after Crankworx, bringing an Island swing to the freeride tour. This new date should allow a greater run of contestants to join in the event, and bring an even bigger crowd to the show.
A popular race series from last season the "Lucky Thursday DH Race Series" is back with 4 events over different trails. For the amateurs and up and comers, a Jump Jam competition will be held August 18th & 19th utilizing the new dirt jump area.
VPS Fest has moved to September and will now become a great end of season wrap-up event.
A rundown of major events for this summer:
Looks like Mount Washington is primed and ready for a busy summer season, and I'm sure we'll be reporting more as the summer occurs. Check out their website at www.mountwashington.ca. To join in the feedback check out our Mount Washington Thread - http://www.cvmtb.com/forums/thread/534.aspx