Page M8 December 19,1990. This Week

ON THE SLOPES

Mt. Washington opens to skiers

By BEV HOLLINGSWORTH.
This Week Contributor

kuers flocked to Mt.
Washington on the

Dec. 8-9 weekend for

£# the resort’s long
awaited 12th opening. Lo-
cated just 40 minutes above
Courtenay, the white slopes
with an 83 centimeter base
drew hundreds of “powder
hounds’ from across Van-

couver Island.
With more snow expected, all
areas will be operating by this

weekend, including cross
country trails and spectacular
downhill runs.

More skiers come to the friend-
ly ski resort each year because
of the prices and facilities. In-
centives, such as the 50-plus
package for just $36, is part of
the attraction to skiers. That
package not only includes a les-
son and lift ticket, but also
lunch.

Seniors on skis are coming in
droves, such as former Saanich
mayor Howard Sturrock, 63,
who was on the slopes Saturday.
He'll have more time to ski Mt.

A SPECTACULAR VIEW is enjoyed by an outdoor enthusiast

while skiing.

ANDTHEY’RE OFF! up Mt. Washington for an exhilarating experience on skis. FormerSaanich
Mayor Howard Sturrock, right, joins two other ski enthusiasts for a ride on a ski lift during a

day of downhill skiing.

Washington now, he laughed, as
his term just ended last month.

Other skiers are attracted to
bargains such as Ladies Day on
Tuesday, or a mid-week Adven-
ture Ski Package. Mt.
Washington prides itself on
being “an affordable alternative”
with friendly service and great
natural beauty.

An adult lift ticket costs just
$27, but all prices will include

the new Goods and Services tax
in Jan 2
Other Mt. Washington

programs, such as Skiing is
Believing for first time
skiers or the Kid’s Brigade for
ages three and up, are bringing
more families to the uncrowded
slopes. Lines for the lifts, which
are open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
every day, are short and move
quickly.

One Saanich man brought his
entire family up to learn to ski
for the first time, and by noon
Saturday, 46 year-old Brian
Harriot was carefully gliding

down slopes with his young

daughter. The family recently
purchased a condominium on
the mountain, Harriot said.
The resort has rental shops
with complete equipment selec-
tion, including popular new
snowboards with boots. As
many as 200 snowboarders were
on the slopes for opening day
last Friday, according to
Victoria’s Angus Denny.
“The powder’s good,” he
smiled, coasting to a stop.
Nordic skier Alex Lyle, 59, was
getting a “lot of exercise” from
cross country skiing in “heavy
snow. All areas should have
tracks set by this weekend said
nordic manager Gord Campbell.
The renovated nordic and al-
pine lodges offer dining areas,
retail shops, and ski schools. The
alpine lodge features a lounge
with live entertainment, ski
repair shops and a video arcade.
There's also a general store and
RV park near the resort village,
with accommodations available

there or in nearby hotels.

More first time skiers to Mt.
Washington included Ken
Erickson of the Canadian Con-
sulate from Seattle, who joined
American groups representing ®
thousands of interested skiers.
Erickson said he is actively
promoting the resort to U.S.
skiers who are attracted by the
prices.

Hoping for a great season
ahead, Mt. Washington's Peter
Gibson hopes all Vancouver Is-
land skiers will visit the moun-
tain paradise. The manager of
skier services said Mt.
Washington offers affordable
skiing for everybody.

The provincially-maintained
road to the resort is in good con-
dition but chains are required.
Rentals for all size cars are
available at the base of the
mountain.

For more information about
Mt. Washington, call 338-1386

_Lifts are now open from 9 a.m.

to 3:30 p.m. every day.

a

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tion Estimates

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Balancing Policy

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SATURDAYS 8 A.M.-4 P.M.

WED., DEC. 19
Petting zoo
St. Andrews H.S.Choir
Rosemary Beland playing the Ham-
mer Dulcimer,
THUR., DEC. 20
Petting zoo
FRI., DEC. 21
Petting zoo
Santa at Market Square
SAT., DEC. 22
11-4: | Petting Z00
Santa at Market Square

11-4:
12:15-1:
1-3;

Dickens Christmas in the
Heart of Old Town at Market Square

560 Johnson Street, Victoria

11-1:| TubaXmas
1-3: || Rosemary Beland playing the Ham-
mer Dulcimer
2-3: | Theatre Inconnu_
SUN., DEC. 23
11-2: Santa at Market Square
12-4: | Petting zoo
1-3: | Lo Confrerie St. Julien Carollers
2-3: | Theatre Inconnu
MON., DEC. 24
11-1:]| Petting zoo
11-1: ] La Confrerie St. Julien Garollers e
12-2: } Santa at Market Square :
2-3: | Theatre Inconnu

for more information

386-2441

:
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Sl