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Panorama Mountain Village
Monday, May 26th, 2008 by GetawayBC.com
Panorama Mountain Village, 18 km west of Invermere, is the largest multi-purpose ski resort in the valley and the training ground for Canada’s and many other nations’ elite skiers.
Originally founded as the Panorama Ski Hill Company in 1962, the resort became a reality thanks to three locals: Karl Strobl, Fritz Zehnder and Guy Messerli. Development continued under different owners through the 1970s and the 1980s and new lifts were added as well as slope-side accommodations.
Extensive snowmaking capabilities have been added to the mountain throughout the years to enhance the skiing and snowboarding experience, and in 2003 two new quad chairs were added to the mountain.
Decades of improvements and development made it possible for the mountain to host World Cup races in 1985, 1988, 1992 and again in November 2007.
Panorama is one of the premier resorts in the province. Alpine Canada Alpin recently named Panorama as the National Training Centre for all of Canada’s ski racers, and it is known as the training ground for national teams from around the world.
Since 1992, an increase in more advanced ski terrain, the development of a ’smaller by design’ mountain village and the construction of Greywolf Golf Course turned Panorama into a year-round resort. Greywolf is an 18-hole, 7,140 yard, par 72 golf course that is open from May to October.
This spectacular championship course, named the best new course in Canada in 1999 by Golf Digest, is literally carved into the side of Panorama Mountain and along Hopeful and Toby Creeks. Every hole offers something wild and wonderful for all levels of golfers.
A huge fun factor at the resort is the 6,000 square foot Panorama Springs Pools for exclusive use of their lodging guests.
Even with all the developments to the village, Panorama remains a comfortable outpost on the fringe of a famous wilderness.
Winter at Panorama is just as spectacular, if not more fun! Panorama boasts 4,000 vertical feet, one of the highest verticals in North America, and 2,847 acres of patrolled terrain, which is made up of 120 trails – 15% beginner, 55% intermediate and 30% expert, and is serviced by nine lifts.
Panorama is home to the Bilodeau School of Skiing & Snowboarding (SOS), one of the best in North America. SOS is owned and operated by locals Don and Heather Bilodeau, who also run the legendary on-mountain Elkhorn Cabin. The newly expanded cabin now offers memorable lunch dining with dramatic views, an excellent “All Canadian” menu and warm hospitality.
The Hal Bavin Heliplex located in the village, offers heli-skiing on 1,500 square kilometres/ 930 sq. miles of incredible terrain in the Purcell Mountains. On the edge of the Bugaboos, RK HeliSki makes the most of the largest heli-ski area in the world. For cross-country skiers, the Greywolf Nordic Centre features over 20 km of maintained and groomed classic and skate trails.
Other winter activities at Panorama include snowmobile tours with Toby Creek Adventures; sleigh ride and a chili cookouts, spa treatments; and apr