Panorama
Nestled on the ancient Purcell Mountains, (18 km west of Invermere) Panorama Mountain
Village has come of age in the Columbia Valley.
Panorama was 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 were added to the mountain in 1984 and 2003
to enhance the skiing and snowboarding experience at the resort. New quad chairs
were added as well. Decades of improvement and development made it possible
for the mountain to host a World Cup Downhill race in 1985. The hill has also
become a training ground for national teams from around the world.
In 1993 Vancouver-based Intrawest Corporation purchased the resort and it began
what today is known as Panorama Mountain Village. Since Intrawest's acquisition,
a process of upgrades and massive additions have turned the ski hill into a
spectacular four-season resort, with an increase in more advanced ski terrain,
'smaller by design' mountain village and turned Panorama into a year-round resort
by building Greywolf Golf Course. Greywolf is an 18-hole, 7,140 yard, par 72
golf course that is open from May to October.
Summer activities available at Panorama include, mountain biking, whitewater
rafting, horseback riding, hiking, Jeep tours, and tennis. A huge fun factor
added to the resort is the 6,000 square foot Panorama Springs, a ski-side warm
swimming pool. Winter activities include snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
Panorama has six year-round dining facilities and 12 winter-only facilities.
They run the gamut from cafeteria style eating, to casual and fine dining. Amenities
on the hill include accommodation, a general store, child care center, equipment
rental and repair, ski, mountain biking and golf apparel retailers, photography
service, liquor store, a national caliber ski school, spa, games arcade and
a 300-person conference center.
Hundreds of condo units have been built over the last few years, as have new
subdivisions of luxury homes around Grey Wolf and along Toby Creek. Panorama
has accommodations for 1500 people and can employ a staff of as many as 400.
(Text courtesy of Valley Echo)
What Panorama has to offer:
