Tourism Mount Washington’s 4th Annual General Meeting will take place at 3:00 pm in the Alpine Lodge – followed by a casual Meet and Greet where members will have the opportunity to discuss the role, goals and achievements with the Tourism Mount Washington team and board members past and present before joining other members of the Resort Community at the Home Owners BBQ. HOME OWNERS BBQ in Fat Teddy’s Saturday October 8th, 2011 at 5:30-8:30. pm
Tourism Mount Washington will be sponsoring the Home Owners BBQ again this year and your volunteer board invite you to come along for a fun evening where you can meet old and new friends.
The details of the event are still being finalized but what we can confirm is that it will be an informal fun evening and great value for money, with all proceeds going to Mount Washington’s Volunteer Ski Patrol who were recognized for their outstanding contribution to the resort contribtion and nominated by the board for the 2nd year running.
Thanksgiving Weekend this year is definately the time to be up on the mountain, there is a lot going on – including the opportunity for you to see the progress on the NEW Magic Carpets – which are we understand the first covered carpets to be installed in Canada. Weather permitting the Eagle should be spinning – offering you the last chance of the year to take your family and friends on a scenic chairlift ride or a scenic hike through the Alpine Meadows to walk off or make room for your Thanksgiving Dinner.
ANNUAL TURKEY SALE October 7, 8, 9 & 10 at Mountain Tek and Altitude Sport & GiftDon’t miss the opportunity to find some great deals on clothing, outerwear and equipment and to cross off some of those names on your Christmas Shopping list. It’s the perfect opportunity to avoid the line ups and collect your seasons pass at the same time.
| Mount Washington Freehold |
| Starting in late 2010, Mount Washington Ski Resort (MWSR) began determining the viability of converting existing sub-lease properties to freehold (fee simple) interest.The registration of the introductory Phase 1 of the Mount Washington Freehold program has now closed.
A second phase of freehold purchase is being contemplated for mid- to late-2011. For further information please visit: mountwashingtonfreehold.ca |
Tourism Mount Washington have been asked on behalf of the resort community to appeal against the closure of the Village Access Trail to Paradise Meadows. An initial discussion has taken place with BC Parks but before Tourism Mount Washington proceed any further they would appreciate it if you would spare a couple of minutes to complete this survey which should give us a clear indication as to your reaction to the closure and your support of the proposed appeal. Please click here to link to and complete the online survey
Fire Protection, Mount Washington Alpine Resort
On March 28th 2009 a structure fire destroyed a rental chalet in the Alpine Village. Mount Washington Alpine resort staff were first responders to the fire – thankfully all 16 of the occupants were safely evacuated. Emergency response was dispatched to assist through 911. The fire started at approximately 7:40 a.m. Five Ambulances were on site by 8:00 a.m. and Courtenay Fire Protection arrived by 8:40 a.m. to conduct a rescue operation if required. When everyone was accounted for, they left the scene. The building was burnt to the ground.
The same day Peter Gibson wrote to our Area C Representative, Mr Edwin Grieves highlighting the need for a creative plan in determining regional fire coverage that ensures first response in remote areas.
On Tuesday Last week a report dated July 2, 2009 submitted by James Bast, manager of Fire Services was presented by Debra Oakman, Chief Administration Officer to the Comox Valley Regional District Committee of the Whole with the recommendation that: the Comox Valley Regional District staff begin discussions with the representatives of Mount Washington to review and discuss a phased approach to the provision of fire protection services.
The proposed three-phase approach to Fire service on Mount Washington was supported by regional district directors and the Committee of the Whole – and their motion to approve will be confirmed by the Board as a whole at the end of July.
A meeting with the resort community is being provisionally scheduled for the Thanksgiving weekend.
We will endeavour to keep you all informed but any immediate questions should be directed to George Trousdell at gtrousdell@mountwashington.ca
2% Additional Hotel Room Tax wins support of the Comox Valley Regional District Committee of the Whole
Tourism Mount Washington won the unanimous support of the Comox Valley Regional district of the Whole with a delegation through their appointed consultant Jennifer Houiellebecq of Tourism Planning Group. A request was presented for support for a proposed application to the Ministry of Finance authorization to implement a 2% additional hotel room tax on all commercial managed rental properties at Mount Washington.
The application won the support of the rental management companies operating on the mountain after cosultation and a presentaion held on the mountain earlier this year.
The 2% Additional Hotel Room Tax will be collected by the province, which already levies an 8 percent hotel room tax on all tourist accommodation offering four or more rooms. But as a result of Tourism Mount Washington applying for “eligible entity” status is that the proceeds of the additional 2% estimated at approximately $37,000 in the first year will be handed back to Tourism Mount Washington to use as sustainable core funding for incremental tourism promotion and development activities.
Approximately 48 communities and a number of resorts in BC already have the tax in place and Tourism Mount Washington recognized that without this source of core funding, building market share in todays competitive environment would become increasingly difficult.
It is Tourism Mount Washington’s objective to have the tax in place by the start ofthe 2009/2010 winter season. The 2% additional tax will only apply to those already collecting the 8% Hotel Tax.
NEW MOUNT WASHINGTON OFFICIAL VISITORS’ GUIDE
Don’t miss out! Tourism Mount Washington is producing Mount Washington’s 1st official Visitors’ Guide to be launched late summer.
As a member of the Mount Washington Resort Community we wanted to ensure you had the opportunity to feature your accommodation and or business and reach the 500,000 + year round visitors to Mount Washington, the Olympic teams and their families who will be staying with us on the mountain next year and the targeted markets the NEW Mount Washington Visitors’ guide will reach.
Great Rates and Return on Investment through our targeted Distribution Program
Advertsing rates start as low as $125 for an accommodation grid listing to encourage as many of our accommodation owners to list their properties and maximize opportnities to increase midweek winter and year round occupancy . . . with substantial savings for Tourism Mount Washington members.
Tourism Mount Washington will be printing 25,000 copies of the full colour glossy magazine style guide and distributing them at key locations up and down the Island and to the main gateways including Vancouver International Airport and Calgary International Airport. The guide will also be reaching a very targeted international audience in the UK when we attend the Metro Ski & Snowboard show in October and targeted consumer and travel trade markets through the Tourism Vancouver Island Distribution Program.
To offer additional return on investment we will also be producing an online interactive electronic version with links to advertisers’ websites, available at www.discovermountwashington.com and on www.mountwashington.ca
The guide will feature captivating images and enticing copy that illustrates our unique coastal alpine location, world-class facilities and on-mountain accommodation choices.
Don’t miss out view or download a copy of the Rate Card and contact Nancy Newson today to secure your advertisement. Nancy can be contacted by phone: 250 897 9447 or email: visitorguide@shaw.ca
If you are not currently a member of Tourism Mount Washington and wish to take advantage of the great savings on advertising rates – just one of the many benefits of membership. Please contact Tourism Mount Washington on 250 338 0226.
2009 Winter Season Extension
Mount Washington announced on Monday March 16th, 2009 that due to the recent snowfall and forecast for more snow that they will be extending the 2009 Winter Season which was scheduled to close at the end of operations on Monday April, 13th 2009 to include the last two weekends of April. The two season extending weekends April 18th-19th and April 25th -26th will feature modified operating hours to take advantage of the extended daylight. Hours will be posted soon.
To read a copy of the Media Release issued by the mountain click here.
2010 Update
Mount Washington – Olympic Training Site
Mount Washington has established itself as a pre-Olympic Alpine & Nordic training ground for a number of international teams. Included amongst the teams that will be using our Alpine Terrain and facilities are the Canadian, American, Swiss and Swedish snowboard race teams. On the Nordic side, the Swedish Cross Country and biathlon teams will be training alongside the German Biathlon team.
If you have never enjoyed our Mile High Mountain Resort . . . we invite you to take to the slopes and experience first hand, why these Olympic contenders have chosen us as a pre-Olympic training base.
International Exposure
December FAM tour results in a full page editorial in a leading British National Paper – The Mail on Sunday
As a direct result of attendance at the 2008-09 Metro Ski & Snowboard show and the Canadian Tourism Commissions Media Event Tourism Mount Washington & Mount Washington Alpine Resort hosted Neil English on December 15th and gave him a run for his money with early season powdery piste, first tracks and mind-blowing views. Neil left kicking himself for failing to discover Mount Washington and Vancouver Island before on his many visits to the mighty Whistler.
To read the online version of the article by Neil English published on December 28, 2008 click this link http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-618695/A-run-money-Snowy-Mountain.html
Metro Ski & Snowboard Show, London UK Oct 22-26
Tourism Mount Washington took the mountain to the UK for the first time in October and we can confidently say that the first steps towards establishing Mount Washington as a winter ski destination in the UK market have been achieved and we look foward to hosting a number of FAM tours over the coming season which should help maintain our ongoing objective to increase awareness of Mount Washington, Vancouver Island’s hidden gem in the UK through selected Tour Operators, the UK Press and travel industry media. Read on . . .
Tourism Mount Washington AGM
Tourism Mount Washington’s first AGM was held on October 10, 2008 in the Alpine Lodge.
Please join us in welcoming our new board of Directors.
Come Ski Canada Guide
Introducing your mountain to over 43,000 Australian Ski Enthusiast’s in the 2008/2009 ComeSki Canada Guide . . . what’s more, Mount Washington is the 1st Resort listed in the guide so check out our entry on page 14