After years of planning and construction through snowy weather, which included last season’s record-breaking snowfall, the new non-profit Vancouver Island Mountain Centre (VIMC) at Mount Washington is set to open its doors Dec. 8.
"We are very excited to be providing accommodation, kitchen access and meeting space for the second annual First Nations snowboarding coaches clinic at Mount Washington Alpine Resort from Dec. 8 to 11," says Andrew Scherck, manager at the new Mountain Centre. “The growth in First Nations snowboarding teams throughout the province is amazing and the VIMC is proud to have them as their first booking," continues Scherck.
In the past, the possibility of housing large groups under one roof at Mount Washington was as challenging as getting a crystal clear photograph of Bigfoot. Not anymore.
This new 8,000-square-foot facility includes dorm-style group accommodation for sport, education, senior, corporate and special-interest groups up to 40 people. Plus there is office space, a large meeting/dining room, a wax and drying room, a large kitchen, massage/physiotherapy room and a state of the art fitness centre.
The Vancouver Island Mountain Centre is part of the non-profit Vancouver Island Mountain Sports Society (VIMSS.com) and run by the non-profit Tribune Bay Outdoor Education Society (TBOES), which has been running high-quality outdoor education programs at its centre on Hornby Island for over 23 years.
This partnership, as well as a partnership with Mount Washington Alpine Resort, has allowed the Mountain Centre to open its doors offering in-house outdoor education programs such as team-building, winter orienteering and introductory winter mountaineering skills that can be combined with Mount Washington programs to create a group's perfect custom adventure.
“The VIMC currently has a variety of bookings for the upcoming winter season ranging from yoga retreats, cycling groups, club racing groups, to high schools and groups from Vancouver Island University and Camosun College,” says Rick Morson, VIMSS chair. “We would like to welcome more groups to check out the Mountain Centre and we are planning a grand opening event in the near future.”
The V.I. Mountain Centre is on Mount Washington at the end of Nordic Road across from the Raven Lodge. For a virtual look, you can find VIMC at vimountaincentre.com or call 250-331-9355.
— Vancouver Island Mountain Centre