The weather has started to change at Apex Mountain Resort.
The air is starting to have that familiar cool crispness that is beginning to
feel a lot like snow. We are busy gearing up for another great winter season.
There is a feeling of excitement with employees busily preparing the mountain
with the opening date just 3 months away on December 1st. There is a huge
amount of work that takes place each summer so the mountain is able to operate
smoothly in the winter. Full time year round employees are working on
maintaining the lifts, all machinery, the water and sewer system, marketing,
administration, guest services and accounting to name a few. In addition to our
normal maintenance here are some things that are happening on the
mountain.
A new feature on the mountain this season will be the Skier
and Boarder Cross Course. This has been built for public use and is another fun
feature in addition to our 3 terrain parks. Starting at the top of Spruce
Hollow, which is accessible from Blue or Black runs, there are ten berms with
rollers and fun features throughout the course. The course finishes paralleling
the Village Traverse allowing riders the option to go to the village, the T-Bar
or back to the Quad Chair or the Triple Chair. “The berms are huge, 12 to 15
feet high that have been built out of dirt, when you add snow on top this is
going to be one very fun and exciting ride. Mike Parsons has been spending a
lot of time working very hard in an excavator to make this a super fun and safe
course. When we started building it we didn’t realize it was going to end up
this big, it’s very impressive” comments James Shalman, General Manager. “We
wanted to design a course that little kids and adults alike are going to have a
blast riding. We needed to make sure it was family friendly yet still exciting
for advanced riders to challenge themselves.” A new groomed path has been cut
through the trees at the top of Spruce Hollow to allow easier access to Wild
Bill.
Jaxon Rich is heading up a crew that are attacking the runs
with brush saws this summer. They are busy chopping down all the trees and
willows that seem to grow like weeds on the runs. This will allow the runs to
be in the best condition they can be regardless of the amount of snow Mother
Nature throws at us.
Apex Accommodations has been purchased by Myles and Katie
Karn. They have added more accommodations to their inventory. They are in the
same location, operating out of the barn at the entrance to the main parking lot
in the village. Myles wants to extend a welcome invitation to all season pass
holders. Apex Accommodations is offering a $75 voucher to all season pass
holders! Season pass holders must quote promo code ‘stayapex2012’ at time of
booking and season pass holders must be present at the time of check in with a
valid 2012 season pass (new reservations only, some conditions apply, not valid
in peak time). Check out their fully furnished cabins, condos and townhomes for
rent at www.stayatapex.com or call them at 1-866-273-9737.
Stan Duckworth and his team will be back to run the Apex
Mountain Inn and the Group Hostel . They will be operating the restaurant as
part of the hotel operation, under the name Rock Oven Grill. The format of the
restaurant will be that of a Family/pub style menu with some BBQ specialty
items. The hostel will now be known as the Apex Group Lodge, the group lodge
will cater to a variety of groups, with improvements over the next couple of
years that will add to the experience for groups. A 10% discount, off their
best retail rate, will be offered to season ticket holders, who want to book
into the Apex Mountain Inn anytime during the season. Season ticket holders
need to give their season pass number at the time of booking and show their
season pass upon check in.
New this season, The Gunbarrel Saloon, Restaurant and the
Longshot Cafeteria will be operated by Dave Keeler managing director of Vintage
Hospitality Management Limited. Dave has 30 years of experience in the
hospitality industry and 20 years in restaurant management. Most recently Dave
has been operating the Sonora Room Restaurant at Burrowing Owl Estate winery and
at Spirit Ridge in Osoyoos, Dave operates Mica Restaurant offering an upscale
casual dining option within the resort delivering an array of local produce,
food & wine. Dave started managing with the Spectra Group of Restaurants
in Vancouver and has developed and opened 10 successful restaurant concepts
since. Dave has a reputation of operating a high level of customer service and
food quality. New managers, new servers, and new kitchen staff will bring a
whole new experience to the Gunbarrel and Longshot. Apex Mountain Resort is very
excited to have Dave and his team operating the Gunbarrel and Longshot on the
mountain this season and the years to come. Come and visit them for the first
time!
The Bike Barn will continue to operate the Mountain Shop at
Apex but with new management. Marcus will be making sure your boots fit just
right and you have the right equipment under your feet to get the most out of
your turns. The Mountain Shop at Apex will be stocking the latest in ski/board
wear and they have all the accessories to make sure you are warm, comfortable
and stylish on the slopes.
Michael Johncox will be doing another great job operating the
Trading Post again this coming season. As the only government controlled liquor
store on the mountain, Michael will be bringing in more varieties of wine and
beer an extending the size of the liquor store within the Trading Post. The
Trading Post has what you need to get you through your stay on the
mountain.
Chad Henderson and Colin Mottershead will be back for their
third season operating The Edge Bistro. They are revamping the interior to
allow for more room for their customers. If you want your morning java always
served with a smile, stop by and say hi. The Edge also serves up delicious
soups, chilli, made to order sandwiches and baked goods.
The informative and fun Apex news feature, Apex Matters run
by Myleen Mallach will be returning this season. Look for interesting articles
involving mountain life and culture, available as a free news source at many
locations throughout Apex and Penticton. If you have any comments for Myleen
drop her a line at apexmatters@telus.net.
Apex Mountain Resort has purchased new scanners for lift
tickets and season passes! New software has been integrated to allow our ticket
checkers a faster way to get you through the lift line which means more time
spent riding!
There are going to be some new programs available in our Snow
School and the Rental Shop has purchased new skis, boots, boards and Helmets
from Head.
Value Added…Apex Seasons passes are now worth more! New this
season, Apex is adding the Tube Park, Ice Skating on the Adventure Loop and the
Hockey Rink as FREE additions to your season pass. To top it off Season Pass
rates are remaining the same as last year. That equals more value for your
money and more fun for your season pass!
We don’t want you to miss out on the most affordable way to
play on the mountain this winter. Purchase a season pass before September 30th
and an Adult can save over $330 and a family of four can save over $1,250. New
payment plan dates allow you to spread your payments further
apart.
See you on the slopes this winter!