January is the annual Rossignol Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month at Mount Washington.
During the whole month, Mount Washington focuses on providing the opportunity for as many people as possible to get out and try winter sports by offering significant discounts on lessons, rentals, and lift tickets and by supporting the effort with extra staffing and programs for beginners.
For a special “Learn To” week (Jan. 9-13) the resort provides “Discover Packages” at 50 per cent off for first-time skiers, snowboarders and cross-country skiers.
“Winter is not for hibernation,” laughed Mike Manara, Snow School Director at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. “Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month is all about getting out and learning a new sport - fresh air and fun!
“Our certified Snow School instructors and beginner-friendly terrain play a big part in making it easy to learn,” Manara added.
“All of our instructors are fully certified with the Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance, the Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors or Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors. The instruction we offer is of the highest calibre and our aim is to see the student linking turns and having fun after their first lesson.”
With a unique beginner area, Mount Washington boasts five ‘Magic Carpets’ which are widely recognized as the best method for beginners to get up the hill.
The ‘Magic Carpets,’ which most closely resemble a moving walkway found in airport concourses, gently whisk beginners up a covered conveyer to the top of the gentle Easy Acres slope.
“We invested over $3 million into our beginner area in 2012,” explained Peter Gibson, General Manager. “We graded the slope to a much more beginner-friendly pitch and installed the magic carpets to create a world class beginner area.
“Since the development of Easy Acres, we have introduced over 20,000 participants to the sports of skiing and snowboarding through our certified Snow School programs.”
Snow School Programs
January also marks the start of the seasonal Snow School programs. For all ages, these five- to 10-week programs provide the foundations for novice and intermediate level skiers and riders to be confident out on the slopes. More advanced participants will have the opportunity to reach the next level in their abilities.
Rossignol Ski and Snowboard Month at Mount Washington includes: 50 per cent off alpine and Nordic Discover Packages during Rossignol “Learn To” week; Winterfest which offers 50 per cent off alpine and Nordic day tickets, Jan. 16-20; and this year the resort announced the introduction of Never Ever Days which is all-inclusive package Jan. 7-21 for just $25.
Details can be found online at www.mountwashington.ca