"We’ve been looking at refining some of our programs and how easily we can get people up here," says Resort Public Relations Director Brent Curtain.

Snowshoeing began as a method of winter transportation among Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples. It wasn’t until 1843 when a group of a dozen Montreal businessmen got together to hike through the wilderness on snowshoes as a form of recreation.

"We just love the mountain," Wendy Woodley says. "We love the ambience in both summer and winter. Even though you’re only 25 minutes from Courtenay, it’s very cozy."

The Marmot welcomes two new faces to its staff this winter: Deb Nolan and Bayne Mann are taking over advertising sales from Wendy Woodley, who has retired.

Mount Washington Alpine Resort is still basking in the glow of a successful summer season. The warm, sunny weather that British Columbians enjoyed meant a faster natural snow melt and more visitors.

Last year Mount Washington’s Facebook page was a busy online community, and now there are nearly 15,000 people who have "liked" their page. They have more than 4,600 followers on Twitter as well. Promotional videos are all over YouTube and Vimeo too, and garner between 4 - 6,000 views.

Internal communication and external marketing have been key drivers for Tourism Mount Washington this summer, says Manager Sarah Nicholson.

Last winter, groomers became wary every time they had to move snow away from the new Magic Carpet people movers, because they never knew whether a sasquatch had taken refuge in one of them during the night.

"We would call that a big success," says Resort Director of Maintenance and Operations, George Trousdell, "the people they were designed to serve really liked them."

Snowshoeing was such a popular event last winter that Resort Nordic Manager Marc Lyster had to increase the Resort’s fleet of snowshoes available for rental in 2013.

Too many times we reflect on the past and what we should have done ten years ago. Perhaps these are your thoughts ten years from now as you reflect back on your new purchase at Mount Washington this year.

Fifteen groups used the facility in a variety of ways during the summer, VIMC Manager Andrew Scherck said.

For the first time in the 31-year history of the Comox Valley Royal LePage Snow to Surf Adventure Relay Event, there will be a snowshoeing leg.

Mount Washington Alpine Resort is home to six snow sport clubs and one summer sport (mountain biking) club whose members spend their seasons practicing and competing on their "home" hill.

After two years of operating in the Marmot Den at Mount Washington Alpine Resort, the Podium of Life Snow Sports Academy has found a permanent home.

It’s working... Home to Canada’s rare and endangered Vancouver Island marmot, Mount Washington is central to the recovery efforts to save them. Thanks to an active captive breeding and reintroduction program, a wild population of fewer than 30 individuals (2003) is now estimated at 350-400 marmots in the wild.