The owners of Mount Washington Alpine Resort have put it on the market for sale, although the potential change of ownership has nothing to do with ski conditions this winter, explained their director of business operations.
The private sale of the Vancouver Island resort has been in the works for months, "at least since the summer," and has nothing to do with a late skiing season this winter, Don Sharpe told The Record on Saturday.
"It's not even related to that," he added. "Any sale is still some time off; it will take at least another six to nine months to happen.
"We're excited about the possibilities and opportunities to come."
Sharpe noted the sale is a private, strategic one, and could not reveal the asking price.
First opened in 1979, the Mount Washington resort started as two double chairlifts and a rough road. Despite the delayed opening this year due to a limited snowfall, the mountain has been known to have one of the deepest snow bases in all of Canada in recent years.
After a late opening Jan. 13 when the snow base was 100 centimetres, the base had shrunk to 80 cm by Jan. 20.
The resort's snow report Monday noted an ongoing inversion and warm temperatures as it announced the Sunrise Chair will be closed due to "the lack of skiable terrain." Instead, the resort will focus grooming efforts on the core of the mountain and keep the Eagle and Hawk Chairs and the Magic Carpets open.
The resort moved to afternoon prices Sunday, which are 25 per cent off a full pass.
Monday was the last day Mount Washington season's pass holders were able to take advantage of the Whistler Blackcomb ski for free deal set up earlier this month.
The forecast high for Monday was 6C with a low of 2C expected, according to the resort website. Tuesday's forecast high was 3C, as of Monday morning, with low of 2C. Slope conditions were listed as machine-groomed, early-season.
For more information, visit www.mountwashington.ca.
— With a file from Renee Andor
photos@comoxvalleyrecord.com