July 2, 2003 (Vancouver, BC) – Mount Washington Alpine Resort President Peter Gibson set the stage at the Premier's Olympic Summit in January 2003 with five words: “Mount Washington Olympic Training Site.” Now that the BC dream of an Olympic games in 2010 at venues in Vancouver and Whistler has become a reality, Mount Washington Alpine Resort is proceeding with its plan of attracting national and international Olympic Nordic team training to the Vancouver Island mountain.

 Already well known for it's comprehensive Nordic program and excellent trail system, the resort is also contemplating the construction of a National Athletic Development Centre. At present, Mount Washington Alpine Resort has over 50 km of groomed Nordic trails, looping around resort property as well as into nearby Strathcona Provincial Park, courtesy of a land use stewardship. Over the next two years, the plan is to increase this by 50% and the long-term goal could see a trail system that stretches over 100 km, the majority of which would be on resort property.

Located at 3,700 feet above sea level (1,128 metres), the current trail system is anchored by Raven Lodge, a full-service day lodge facility specifically designed for the Nordic enthusiast as well as the professional.

The aim of Mount Washington Alpine Resort is to garner National and International Nordic team training ahead of the Olympic competitions to be held at the Callaghan Valley facility. The norm for Nordic teams is to train at a venue that is similar to the competition site, sometimes up to 3 months ahead of the games to ensure athlete acclimatization and technical prowess in areas such as waxing. Peter Gibson is the President of Mount Washington Alpine Resort and he and his staff have been preparing resort plans based on the successful Olympic bid. “The elevation and snow quality of Mount Washington's Nordic trail system is virtually identical to the 2010 Olympic Nordic venue. Combined with our close proximity by air and the technical facilities and amenities that we'll have in seven years, we're expecting to be host to many international teams.” Gibson travelled to Soldier Hollow, the 2002 Salt Lake games Nordic venue to see first hand the facilities, the terrain and to meet with international coaches and team members.

Mount Washington Alpine Resort has seen significant growth in its Nordic program and this sparked the building of the 929 square metre (10,000 square feet) Raven Lodge, which opened to the public in December 2001. With this as it's anchor, the Nordic training centre will be in close proximity and will house weight training equipment, washrooms, showers and locker room, coaches offices, a boardroom and an area for the development of sport science. This facility will be based on a 2500 square foot building. Nearby will be dorm-style accommodations and an outdoor stadium oval. This oval will be the start and finish areas for World Cup-class events and will include spectator areas.

Nordic team training is nothing new for Mount Washington Alpine Resort. Over the last four years, national and provincial junior and adult teams have used the trail system for training camps. Located 30 minutes by vehicle from sea level, the resort is ideal for on-snow as well as dry land training, both components being vital for a successful camp. Alain Parant is the head coach of the Canadian National Junior Cross Country Ski Team and led the team's Spring Training Camp at Mount Washington Alpine Resort in May 2003. “Each day we had the pleasure of spending the morning on skis on the mountain before heading down to sea level for our dry land training which consists of bike work, running and strength building. Having the variety of terrain, both on the mountain and below in the valley has been a significant factor in our choice of Mount Washington Alpine Resort as a training site for the past three years.” On-snow training isn't just for Nordic teams. The past two winters have seen the National Rowing Team holding a Nordic training camp in their off-season at Mount Washington Alpine Resort. The cardiovascular regimen of the Nordic athlete is quite similar to what is experienced by a rower.

Not just a windfall to Whistler-Blackcomb and Vancouver, the 2010 Olympic Games will benefit sundry areas of British Columbia and Mount Washington Alpine Resort, the provinces' 3rd most visited snow resort, has explored a variety of business opportunities related to the games coming to the region. Let the games begin! Mount Washington Alpine Resort is a proud supporter of the 2010 Vancouver Whistler Olympic bid.

Mount Washington Alpine Resort is located on Vancouver Island, one hour north of Nanaimo and 2.5 hours north of Victoria by automobile. Accessed by aircraft, the resort has two major airports at it's doorstep; Campbell River and Comox, either is 30 minutes from the lodge facilities. With its summit at 1588 metres (5,215 feet), Mount Washington boasts an average annual snowfall of 860 centimetres. Snow making equipment is irrelevant. Mount Washington Alpine Resort celebrates its 25th anniversary in December 2004, now a four-season resort. For more information, surf to www.mountwashington.ca