New Era For Nordic Skiers At Panorama Mountain Resort

BC's Columbia Valley emerging as top-class XC ski destination

Panorama, BC - January 29, 2021

MEDIA RELEASE

Pictured: Left to right - Guy Paulsen, Panorama Director of Resort Services and Steve Paccagnan, Panorama President & CEO.

Panorama Mountain Resort continues to enhance its renowned mountain experiences with a renewed focus on health and wellbeing at the Panorama Nordic Centre at Greywolf.

Guy Paulsen, Director of Resort Services, is leading the development of a trail system that will soon be among the best in Western Canada. Paulsen spent many years at the head of the SilverStar Mountain Resort Nordic program and immediately saw potential when arriving at Panorama in 2018. “I was struck by the sheer majesty of the area, right beside a ski-in / ski-out village that’s unparalleled in the Rockies region. The moment I glided along the banks of frozen Toby Creek, looking at the huge peaks all around, I knew we had to give many more people the opportunity to experience this place,” he said.

Already on a steep upswing before COVID-19 hit, interest in Nordic skiing took off through 2020 with people looking for accessible outdoor places to get away from it all. The local Toby Creek Nordic Ski Club has a record number of members this year, with Panorama’s trails used alongside the Lake Windermere Whiteway and those at nearby Nipika to hone the skills of Columbia Valley youth.

Collaborating with Greywolf Golf Course, Panorama has built the foundation of a network with progression in mind. The gently undulating trails near the Nordic Centre are perfect for skiers just finding their feet, while longer loops take more experienced sliders to rustic wilderness warming huts.

Trail grooming in the 2020-21 season is better than ever with the addition of a state-of-the art Prinoth Husky machine. Classic tracks and a smooth skating surface are prepared on main trails every night.

Panorama Mountain Resort President and CEO, Steve Paccagnan, said the Nordic focus is just another step in unlocking the true potential of the resort. “The investments at Greywolf Golf Course lifted it to the status of top-ranked public course in British Columbia. New terrain, glading and a snowmaking expansion lead to Panorama being named Best in North America at the World Snow Awards. Our vision for the Nordic Centre is that it will also be a leader,” he said.

The Nordic Centre welcomes other outdoor folk too. Resort guests who ride fat bikes, snowshoe or like to simply stroll with their dog have dedicated trails maintained for them. Paulsen noted that new trail designations help ensure all users have fun. “We’ve already sold a number of Pooch Passes for those who like to ski with their dog on-leash. Going forward, walkers can enjoy trails without the fear of skiers approaching silently at speed.”

Panorama Nordic trail tickets and season passes, cross-country ski rentals, fat bike rentals, outdoor essentials and more are available from the Nordic Centre until the end of the winter season, and for many seasons to come.

For more information visit www.panoramaresort.com, call 1.800.663.2929, or follow Panorama Mountain Resort on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

Downloadable images of Nordic skiing at Panorama

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Media Contact:

Clarissa Amaro
Panorama Mountain Resort
+1.250.341.3033
media@panoramaresort.com

About Panorama Mountain Resort

Panorama is a year-round destination with skiing, snowboarding, lift-accessed mountain biking, Canada’s largest slopeside hot pools, and an abundance of activities and events. Located on British Columbia’s famed Powder Highway, Panorama offers winter enthusiasts 4,265 feet of vertical (Top 10 in North America), wide-open fall-line cruisers, powder-filled tree lines, and the steep and deep exhilaration of Taynton Bowl, where huge lines are accessed by passenger snowcat, Monster X. Along with more than 20 km of Nordic and multi-use trails. The resort is home to RK Heliski, BC’s #1 public golf course at Greywolf and will host the 2022 FIS Alpine Junior World Championships.

Tagged Nordic, Adventure, What's New?, inspiration