What's New for Winter 2017-18

Panorama Mountain Resort enters its 55th season after significant enhancement program

PANORAMA, B.C. – October 17th, 2017. Rapid year-round business growth means accelerated improvements at the most complete mountain resort in the Canadian Rockies region. 

Since Panorama Mountain Village Inc. acquired the destination from Intrawest, more than $25 million dollars has been invested on the mountain, in the village and at Greywolf Golf Course. The 55th anniversary season will herald more change than most years before.

In a time of resort acquisitions and change, Panorama remains fiercely independent and committed to building on its standing as a world-class destination resort. “Winning North American Resort of the Year at the 2016 World Snow Awards showed just how far we’ve come. Skiers and riders from around the globe are choosing Panorama because of the high-quality yet more personal mountain experience”, said Steve Paccagnan, President and Chief Executive Officer. 

MONSTROUS TERRAIN EXPANSION

Panorama Mountain Resort just added new terrain and got bigger, better and badder. Look out, this monstrous new terrain is where the wild things are, and it’s definitely where the wild things will want to go. The new area boasts four huge double-black lines and 128 acres of nasty, brutish terrain in Taynton Bowl. It means that Panorama now has 4,265 feet (1,300m) of vertical, placing it among the Top 3 resorts in Canada. The extra terrain also means the longest run is more than 6.5km (4 mi). And this is just the beginning. More terrain will be added over the next few years.

CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN SNOWMAKING AND GROOMING

With $700,000 committed to snowmaking technology, the first skiers of the new season will be welcomed on snow earlier than ever. A new automated, remotely controlled mid-mountain pump station will significantly increase Panorama’s snowmaking efficiency allowing the resort to produce more snow, over a greater area, in less time. A second winched snow grooming machine has joined the fleet and will reduce the time required to build race tracks and alpine trails. The snow cat will also lay down more of the award-winning grooming Panorama is known for.

NEW RFID TECHNOLOGY AT LIFTS

This season, Panorama is the first resort in the Canadian Rockies region to introduce radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. The SKIDATA ticketing and lift access system will offer guests efficient, hands-free lift access. Guests can pre-load their lift ticket from home, skip lineups at the ticket window, and head straight to the mountain. All tickets, the Snow Card, and season passes will be available on cards embedded with an RFID antenna.

A MORE FLEXIBLE SNOW CARD

The Panorama Snow Card is known for being an uncomplicated way to save money without the requirement to purchase additional days. The arrival of RFID is a real plus for skiers and riders seeking more value. New restricted and anytime options on the 3-day card means a day for an adult starts at less than $60. The pre-purchased 5-day version is even better value with a day on the mountain starting at $56. The Snow Card is available online from October 19th until December 26th.

STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH REPLAY RESORTS

Replay Resorts is a Vancouver, B.C. based real estate developer specializing in destination development. With their track record and expertise in resort master planning, Replay Resorts will build on a current master plan at Panorama that will introduce new resort amenities, food and beverage opportunities, retail experiences, and new ski-in/ski-out and golf-oriented real estate. The partnership will elevate the guest and ownership experience, while continuing to differentiate Panorama from other resort destinations.

ENHANCED DINING OPTIONS

Restaurant Eleven Fifty is a fresh take on relaxed family dining. Located slopeside, the venue will serve cuisine inspired by Canada. Cliffhanger Restaurant at Greywolf will open for lunch for the first winter season. With views over snow-covered fairways and back on to the mountain, Greywolf is a spectacular resting place for Sun Bowl skiers and riders. The Earl Grey Lodge will serve many more guests each night by offering their popular Cabin menu in the restaurant. A free guest shuttle will run to Choppers Landing Restaurant and Cliffhanger at Greywolf on select winter evenings. On the mountain, the renowned Elkhorn Cabin has been completely renovated with a new bar, an enlarged dining area and a larger deck looking out to Mt. Nelson.

MORE FAMILY ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMING

Presented by Orage, Panorama’s new All Mountain Program (AMP) is the opposite of school. Kids aged 9 to 13 will be immersed in a true big mountain experience and develop into well-rounded skiers and riders. The program will focus on park progression, snow safety skills, big mountain tactics and equipment performance. In addition to evening programming, ever-popular Snowtubing has returned to the heart of the village. The Red Carpet will offer tubing lanes from 3pm to 8pm on Friday, Saturday and all holidays.

IMPROVED TRANSPORTATION

The journey to Panorama through Banff and Kootenay National Park will be even smoother with four new transit vans added to the fleet of Panorama Transportation and Tours. The GPS equipped vehicles come with larger windows and more room. Panorama has partnered with Discover Banff Tours to offer a $99 lift and transportation package from Banff Hotels. The Tuesday service will run throughout the season allowing visitors to add Panorama to their Canadian Rockies ski holiday.

MOBILE FIRST WEBSITE

Panorama selected leading Chicago-headquartered creative house, TimeZoneOne, to develop a new user focused website that highlights year-round experiences at the destination resort. The website steps away from traditional layouts by presenting personalized travel experiences easily explored on mobile.

MORE SHOPPING AND NEW BRANDS

Panorama is proud to be one of the first resorts in Canada to offer a Peak Performance shop-in-shop at Toques & Tracks. Near the Panorama Springs Pools, the new Candy Cabin will tempt with sweets, chocolate and other treats.

A SAFER JOURNEY BY ROAD

The Province of British Columbia has installed more than 500 metres of additional safety barrier between Invermere, B.C. and Panorama Mountain Resort. Guards have also been installed to prevent rock falling on the road during the spring thaw.

KEY DATES FOR THE 2017-18 WINTER SEASON

• Race Training Season: Projected November 8th to December 7th, 2017
• Public Snow Season: December 8th to April 8th, 2018
• Spring Race Training Season: Projected April 9th to April 29th, 2018

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Jamie Hurschler 
Marketing Manager, Panorama
media@panoramaresort.com
250.341.4194.

About Panorama Mountain Resort.

Panorama is a four-season destination resort that offers skiing, golf, lift-accessed mountain biking and an abundance of recreational activities and events. The resort was named “North American Resort of the Year” in the 2016 World Snow Awards. Located on British Columbia’s famed Powder Highway, Panorama offers winter enthusiasts 4,265 feet of vertical descent (Top 3 in Canada), wide-open fall-line cruisers, powder-filled tree lines and the steep and deep exhilaration of Taynton Bowl. The resort is home to RK Heliski and BC’s best public golf course at Greywolf. www.PanoramaResort.com