Mount Washington has received its first significant snowfall of the season.
From Wednesday to Thursday, the resort got 32 centimetres of snow. It was more than what had been predicted.
The resort was hoping to open Dec. 6 but with little precipitation, its opening was delayed. On Thursday, the resort said the fresh snow was a good start but the mountain hadn’t opened yet.
This latest dump is a welcome sight on the mountain.
“We’ve been waiting for a long time for this, so yeah it’s a lot of excitement,” said Dean Prentice, Mount Washington Resort’s General Manager.
“[There were] a lot of hours being spent on our webcam last night watching the snowfall.”
The snow allowed the mountain to open up a carpet ride for beginners on Thursday.
Numerous people took the opportunity to take some turns.
“It’s great. It’s my first time coming here. I’m a beginner so that’s perfect for me,” said James Fang, a Victoria resident.
“Quite surprised at the amount it dumped overnight so at least we get to do a little bit of snowboarding,” said Lewis Crosby, an international student.
Prentice says they’re starting to make snow on the mountain and if they’re able to continue doing so overnights, along with a little more snow falling next week, he’s hoping for a limited opening by the end of next week.
“We look to get 100 centimetres of snow which would give us a good base to get rolling so we need mother nature to help us more than just last night,” said Prentice.
Season ticket sales are up roughly 10 percent from last season, so a lot of people are looking forward to the winter operations getting underway.
“Definitely waiting for the snow so yeah should be a good season I hope,” said Blake Allary, a snowboarder from Campbell River who has purchased a season pass for the first time this year.
It’s a hope echoed by many snow enthusiasts across Vancouver Island.
Kendall Hanson
