Deepest Start in Resort History - Mount Washington Ski Resort Vancouver Island

Photo Credit: Mount Washington Alpine Resort

Mount Washington has literally been hammered by snow this week. The resort, already famous for being the home of Canada's deepest snow, beat it's own record for four day snowfall.

“We've seen unbelievable volumes of snow here over the last few days,” explains resort spokesperson Brent Curtain. “Over 1.5 metres has fallen in the last 24 hours and we've received over 2.5 metres of new snow in the last four days. I've never seen a start to the season like this.”

The snowbase at Mount Washington currently sits at 480 centimetres, which is now the deepest mid-mountain snowbase worldwide. With more snow in the forecast through Sunday, the resort is busy digging out as it prepares to host thousands of skiers and boarders through the holiday season.

Mount Washington reported some of the strongest occupancy numbers it's seen in years over the Christmas time period. La Nina and superb snow conditions are considered the two major factors for the resort's early season success.

“If you're looking for a winter wonderland this holiday season, this is definitely the place,” says Curtain.

Mount Washington Alpine Resort is the home of Canada's deepest snowpack. The resort is located 30 minutes above The Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. WestJet, Central Mountain Air, Pacific Coastal Airlines, and Island Express service the Comox Valley Airport (YQQ). To find out about accommodation and package information, call Mount Washington Alpine Resort at 1-888-231-1499 toll free or locally at 250-338-1386. Surf to www.mountwashington.ca for additional information including our live snow cam.

For more information on Courtenay and Comox, Click here.

Winter in Victoria - Late Dec. 2010

Tomorrow it is officially Winter in Canada. Most of Canada is covered in snow this time of the year. It is not that we do not get snow in Victoria, but it certainly does not come very often and it does not usually stay very long. Right now, we consider ourselves blessed. We have had some great sun shine days. December has had its fair share of rain this year, but when we get the good days, we know this is the best weather in Canada. We are lucky and know it. In the following days, I will share more winter pictures with you. Yesterday, December 19th, it was sunny and thousands of Victorians were out playing in the sun. The rest were last minute shopping. The pictures above are Mount Baker in Washington State, just south of Vancouver BC and the spectacular sunshine off Dallas Road in Juan de Fuca Strait. For more spectacular views visit our Facebook page.

For two great places to stay check out Hemingways By the Sea or Denniston by the Sea, two great B&B's. For more information on Victoria, click here.

Comedy of Errors this Weekend - Don't Miss It

Company C - the Canadian College of Performing Arts co-op program will be this weekend December 17-19 "The Comedy of Errors" at the Metro Studio on Johnson and Quadra.
Check the link for details.
The Comedy of Errors Teaser
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cjU7PQ2HOU

Ever wonder how it would feel to walk in someone else’ shoes? Lose all sense of reality and the life you know as Company C sees double in Kate Twa’s Shakespearean world full of witchcraft, lust, and mistaken identity.
“The Comedy of Errors” is the story of twin boys with twin servants separated as babies when shipwrecked at sea. One boy and servant are taken to Corinth. The other boys are taken to Syracusa, which country has an embargo with Ephesus, penalty of death. At the age 18 the Syracusan brother and his servant travel to Ephesus in search of their siblings, only to be welcomed by Merchants demanding debts, women proclaiming marriage, and gypsies following their every step. Is it Sorcery? A Doppelganger? A Dream?
(Caution: Mature subject matter.)
Tickets: Adults $20, Students $15 (Tickets on sale at McPherson Box Office 250-386-6121)
Company C is the Year III program of the Canadian College of Performing Arts. The College provides quality training to prepare students for careers in the performing arts. This year, Company C is composed of twelve graduates of the Year II program who have worked hard alongside professional directors to bring “The Lord of the Flies,” “Blood Brothers,” and now “Comedy of Errors” to the stage this season. This December will be the last chance for Victoria to see this talented ensemble as they prepare to launch their exciting careers across Canada and beyond.

Christmas Contest Magnolia Hotel - Got a good Christmas Drink

What warms you on a cold winter day? Hop on over to The Magnolia Hotel & Spa and spread some holiday cheer by entering an original photo of your favourite winter beverage! There are 2 chances to win a gift stay at the hotel - just in time to put under the tree.

The Magnolia has decided to host a last minute Christmas contest where we're asking people to submit photos (and recipes!) of their favourite winter/festive beverages for a chance to win a one night gift stay at the hotel.

Contest Link: http://www.facebook.com/MagnoliaHotelVictoria?v=app_95936962634

New Year's Eve at Sooke Harbour House

Inside Butchart Gardens - A seasonal display

If you are looking for something special to do during the holiday season, please go to Butchart Gardens. If you get there about 3, you can take in their wonderful high tea. It starts with a signature candied ginger scone served with strawberry jam, whipped vanilla Devon-style cream and maple butter. Then come the hot traditional delicacies like Cornish pasty, roasted vegetable and cheese quiche, and chicken and mushroom vol-au-vent. Then sandwiches and savories and topped off with house made sweets and very delicious tea! It doesn't get any better than that. While there for some great fun go ice skating and ride the fantastic carousel. The lights are truly amazing and the colors are dazzling. Be sure to watch for the twelve days of Christmas starting with a partridge in a pear tree and ending with 12 drummers drumming. This is truly a captivating experience that everyone should try. Expect nothing less at this world class attraction, undoubtedly Victoria's best! Click here to see our photo pictorial on Butchart Gardens.
Click here to visit Butchart Gardens

IEOA Truck Light Parade Victoria BC

This spectacular event took place Saturday evening. It is one of the best food drives on the Island and is attended by thousands of people who line the streets from Dallas Road and all the way to Speedway Park in Langford. The rigs are really well decorated and thrill the throngs lining the roadways. Then at 7 pm one of the three lighted boat parades took place in the Inner Harbour. Quite an evening in Greater Victoria.

Record snow dump at Mount Washington

Mount Washington Hammered By Snow
Image: A snowcat's-eye view of work being done to prepare the resort for opening day.Photo Credit: Mount Washington Alpine Resort

Not only is Mount Washington opening a week earlier than originally scheduled this Friday, the mountain can also lay claim to Canada’s deepest snow pack before opening day.“We already had a substantial base of snow when we made the decision to open last week,” explains Business Operations Director Don Sharpe. “Since then, we’ve seen another metre of snow fall on the mountain. The conditions will be unbelievable this Friday.”Mount Washington’s current mid-mountain snow base measured 160 centimetres as of Tuesday afternoon, putting it at the top of the snow heap in Canada. The resort received a whopping 88 centimetres of new snow between Monday and Tuesday mornings.“We’re definitely seeing the positive effects of a La Nina influenced weather pattern so far this winter and we’re not even open yet,” remarks mountain spokesperson Brent Curtain.With cool temperatures and more snow in the forecast before opening day on Friday, the mountain is expecting ideal conditions for skier and boarders on December 3rd.“We’re opening the entire front side of the mountain on Friday,” says Curtain. “Plus we will have over 40 kilometres of trails open at our Nordic Centre which will include most of the trails in Strathcona Provincial Park. The Ozone Tubing Park will also begin regularly scheduled operations on December 3rd.” The mountain plans to open the Outback, the popular backside of the mountain, on Friday, December 10.Mount Washington Alpine Resort opens for winter operations on Friday, December 3, 2010. The resort is located 30 minutes above The Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. WestJet, Central Mountain Air, Pacific Coastal Airlines, and Island Express service the Comox Valley Airport (YQQ). To find out about accommodation and package information, call Mount Washington Alpine Resort at 1-888-231-1499 toll free or locally at 250-338-1386. Surf to www.mountwashington.ca for additional information including our live snow cam.