If you made a trip up to Mount Washington in the past few months, you probably noticed an array of heavy machinery moving earth and recontouring the slopes beside the Alpine Lodge.
The mountain's learning terrain is going through a major redevelopment in advance of the fast-approaching winter. “Our goal is to make the learning experience for beginner skiers and snowboarders one of the best in North America,” says Don Sharpe, director of business operations at the resort.
“We removed all of the old lifts in our Green Zone, replaced them with state-of-the-art Magic Carpets and rebranded the area as Easy Acres.” Mount Washington identified the learning area as a top priority for redevelopment a number of years ago. The total project, which includes extensive slope recontouring and the installation of four new Magic Carpets, has a $3-million budget.
Being dubbed as “one of the easiest places to learn to ski and snowboard in North America,” Easy Acres is off to a great start with the introduction of the four Magic Carpet conveyor lifts.
Magic Carpets are just like moveable walkways you would see at an airport and are widely recognized as one of the best methods for moving beginner skiers and boarders up the slopes.
The Magic Carpets will definitely benefit the Mount Washington Ski Club, says head coach/program director John Trimmer.
"I think they will be a great addition to the mountain and a benefit to the club. They'll be awesome for younger athletes as they are so easy to load.
"The Magic Carpets should also create shorter lineups and increase runs for our groups because fewer people will have trouble loading and riding the lifts. A big bonus for mountain and club," Trimmer said.
While members of the Mount Washington Freestyle Club ski more challenging runs, spokesperson Gina Stubbs said the Magic Carpets "will be awesome for new and beginner skiers."
Mount Washington's carpets will be located on the mountain's new runs: Easy Street and The Big Easy. Easy Street will be the home of three carpets: lower (165 metres), middle (177 metres), and upper (198 metres). The Big Easy will be the home of Mount Washington's teaching carpet (91 metres). “Our network of Magic Carpets will be one of the largest in North America and feature covered canopies to protect riders from the elements on their way up the mountain,” adds Sharpe.
The project, which was delayed at the beginning of the summer due to snow on the slopes, is back on track for completion in November. All of Mount Washington's new Magic Carpet lifts will be operating daily at the start of winter operations Dec. 9.
Season passes are on sale now at earlybird rates. If you purchase your pass before the Sept. 30 deadline, you will receive up to 20 per cent off regular season rates. For more information about Easy Acres or Mount Washington's season pass program, visit mountwashington.ca.