History of Panorama

About Us

Panorama Mountain Village is located on British Columbia's Powder Highway, at the heart of some of North America's best skiing. From the Calgary International Airport (YYC, Calgary), drive one of the world's great mountain highways, through Banff and Kootenay National Parks. Panorama is a short two hours from Banff, Alberta, and only 90 minutes from the new Canadian Rockies Airport (YXC, Cranbrook) in Cranbrook, British Columbia.
 

The mountain rises a full 4,000 vertical feet above the village, but it's not until you slide off the Summit Quad that the true scale of the terrain becomes apparent. All around, as far as the eye can see, are snow smothered peaks including the world-famous Rockies.

 

The mountain offers 2,847 acres (1,152 hectares) of skiable terrain, ranging from perfect corduroy to 'backcountry style' runs in Taynton Bowl. Panorama also boasts the biggest terrain park in the Kootenay Rockies and a large beginner's area featuring a 135 metre long carpet lift. The regular ski and snowboard season lasts from mid-December to mid-April, although pre-season race training starts in early November.

 

While winter at Panorama is undeniably amazing, the mountain offers exciting activities year-round. From mid-May to mid-October, the award-winning Greywolf Golf Course offers signature holes in a spectacular alpine setting. By late-June, the Panorama Bike Park opens single track trails with natural features, wide cruisers, and expert terrain with man-made stunts. Meanwhile, the less adventurous can beat the summer heat at the slopeside Panorama Springs Pools.

 

History

The history of Panorama begins in 1959, when several local ski enthusiasts joined together to look for a location to open a local ski hill. After four years of searching, and several unsuccessful attempts, the present location was established in 1962. The original facilities consisted of a warming hut, a rope tow accessing what is known today as "Old Timer", and a parking lot. The area was named after the nearby Panorama Plateau, a popular hiking area.

 

The plan to establish the Panorama ski slope soon outgrew the resources of its volunteers. A consortium of 12 local businessmen saw the potential of Panorama and formed the Panorama Ski Hill Company Ltd in 1968. In 1969, they cleared several slopes and installed a massive mile-long T-Bar, which at the time was among the longest in North America.

 

During the early 70's, Panorama Ski Hill Company Ltd. continued to grow, with the addition of an A-frame day lodge for the new ski shop and ski school. It soon became apparent, however, that an additional lift would be required to accommodate the growing number of skiers. And with that in mind, water and electricity were provided for 75 lots in 1974, which were sold in the residential subdivision to finance the purchase of a double chairlift. The Horizon Chair was installed in 1975 above the T-Bar, increasing Panorama's vertical drop to 3,200 feet and accessing two super runs: Skyline and Roller Coaster.

 

In 1978, Panorama was purchased by the Calgary-based "Cascade Group", which saw the potential of the area as a major ski destination resort. With a larger capital base, the Cascade Group developed a master plan for the resort to accommodate overnight guests. Construction of the original village began in 1979 with the Toby Creek Lodge, followed by the addition of the Horsethief Creek Lodge and the Pine Inn by 1982. The Cascade Group was also responsible for installing the Toby and Sunbird Chairs in 1980, tennis facilities in 1982, an extensive snowmaking system in 1983, the addition of the Champagne T-Bar in 1984 for the first Men's World Cup Downhill, and a conference centre in 1985. By the mid-eighties, the village could accommodate over 1,200 skiers in one of the most unique destination resorts in North America. In 1988, the original giant T-Bar was replaced with Quadzilla, a high-speed detachable quad that increased the total lift capacity to 7,000 skiers per hour.

 

In 1993, Panorama was purchased by I.W. Resorts Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of Intrawest Corporation. One of Intrawest's first enhancements was the installation of the Summit T-Bar to the top of the mountain, bringing Panorama's vertical drop to 4,000 feet and opening up a number of black diamond runs and gladed terrain for advanced skiers and riders. By 1995, experts could ride over 200 acres of double black diamond terrain in the new Extreme Dream Zone.

 

In 1997, Intrawest unveiled a 10-year master plan, pledging to open more terrain, improve snowmaking, develop an 18-hole championship mountain golf course, and create a rustic village with restaurants and shops at the base of the mountain.

 

Later that year, the old A-frame was replaced by The Residences at Ski Tip, a multi-use facility that housed the new skier's day lodge, lift ticket office, guest services desk, ski school desk, and a clothing & accessory store. In the late nineties, Intrawest continued to grow Panorama, opening Tamarack Lodge, a retail & rental shop, a real estate discovery centre, a ski & snowboard park, slopeside townhomes, a paved valley trail, the new Panorama Springs and adjacent 6000 square feet outdoor hot pools, a village gondola to link the lower and upper village, a central check-in, and the much anticipated Greywolf Golf Course. In the new millennium, Panorama Mountain Village saw the installation of two new high speed chairlifts, the terrain expansion into Taynton Bowl, the construction of Taynton Lodge, 1000 Peaks Summit, 1000 Peaks Lodge, the Lookout, a new and improved terrain park, and the development of Bike Park in the summer months.

On February 26, 2010 Panorama Mountain Village returned to local ownership when a group led by President and Chief Executive Officer, Rick Jensen, purchased the resort.

 

Panorama Mountain Village is not only about development anymore. In recent years, the company has incorporated the innovative Project Planet and is committed to responsible environmental action. The latest changes include the use of environmentally friendly products in all common areas, low-flow faucets and toilets, and the use of 100% recycled paper in public washrooms.

 

Village

Panorama Mountain Village manages 13 condos, townhomes, and hotels, offering more than 400 rooms for a maximum capacity of over 2000 people. In addition, there is a bed & breakfast and a number of cabins and chalets that can be privately rented.

 

Making a Difference

Mountain of Hope
Spearheaded by Panorama's Ski Patrol & Mountain Operations team, the Mountain of Hope benefit dinner raises money to support individuals someway linked to Panorama Mountain Village in times of need. In March 2007, the first "Mountain of Hope" gala amassed over $11,000 for Panorama's local community.

 

What started as help from a few for friends in a time of need has now developed into a valuable community organization. A committee was formed to develop an official foundation and create a mandate for donating funds. The annual "Mountain of Hope" gala, a semi-formal dinner and silent auction, now raises money for a local emergency relief fund. The fundraising happens annually regardless of whether or not it is needed and will be available for all people in emergency situations that are connected to Panorama Mountain Village.

 

Riders Aid
Each winter, Panorama hosts Riders Aid Day to raise funds for clean drinking water in Africa. The Riders Aid program was established by Bruce Nelson to create awareness about the basic needs of impoverished people around the world. The aim is to draw upon skiers and snowboarders to pool resources and raise funds for food, shelter, and clean water.

 

The World Health Organization estimates that as many as 1.1 billion people in developing countries drink unsafe water, many of which die every year from diseases directly related to this problem. Therefore, the money collected on this first Riders Aid Day will fund the installation of BioSand water filters in the African countries of Kenya, Ethiopia, Libya, Malawi, and Mozambique.

 

Panorama Snow Cards for Kids
In October of each year, Panorama Mountain Village visits schools in district #6, to offer four free days of skiing or riding to all local grade 4, 5, 6, and 7 students.

 

Panorama developed the Snow Card Program to encourage local kids to get out on the slopes and pick up a snow sport that they'll enjoy for a lifetime. "All of us here at Panorama are fortunate enough to enjoy the beauty of the mountains everyday", explains Kirby Brown, President and C.O.O. "Skiing and riding is our passion and we want to make sure that no kid in our community misses out on this experience. Invermere is a ski town after all".

 

Panorama Foundation
Panorama Mountain Village formed the Panorama Foundation in 1998; just five years after Intrawest became the owner and developer of the resort. Senior staff members of Panorama Mountain Village decided to incorporate the Foundation and begin fundraising so that worthy organizations from the Valley could look to Panorama as a leader in community development and successfully apply for grants to further develop their important programs and initiatives.

Today, the Panorama Foundation is creating new fundraising efforts in order to support larger, more everlasting community projects that are serving the Columbia and Windermere Valley. The Panorama Foundation is about delivering social, environmental and cultural benefits to the Columbia and Windermere Valley and creating a better today so that the people, wildlife, and the natural environment are served, sustained, and protected for tomorrow.

 

Panorama Foundation's History

Panorama Mountain Village formed the Panorama Foundation in 1998 just five years after Intrawest became the owner and developer of the resort. Senior staff members of Panorama Mountain Village decided to incorporate the Foundation and begin fundraising so that worthy organizations from the Valley could look to Panorama as a leader in community development and successfully apply for grants to further develop their important programs and initiatives.

 

VISION

The Panorama Foundation is about supporting initiated community projects providing cultural, environmental and social benefits to the Columbia and Windermere Valley. Creating a better today so that the people and the environment are served, sustained and protected for tomorrow.

 

MISSION

The Panorama Foundation is committed to dedicating human and financial resources to charitable efforts and organizations that associate directly with the betterment of the Columbia and Windermere Valley.

The Panorama Foundation will fulfill its mission by providing financial support to local organizations and programs devoted to environment preservation and protection, human services, health and education, family, children and youth support services, sport and recreation and arts and culture.

 

The Panorama Foundation Founder's Pass Program

The Panorama Foundation Founder's Pass Program, conceptualized and created in 2001/02, mirrored from another Intrawest owned ski resort foundation, the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, their Founder's Pass Program has been a sell-out success since its inception in 1998/1999. The Panorama Foundation has also contributed to the Columbia Valley due to the Founder's Pass Program.

Thirteen season passes have been generously donated by Panorama Mountain Village. Each pass offers unique mountain privileges for the entire season. The membership opportunity is offered to the mountain's frequent skiers, residents of the Valley, vacation homeowners and resort visitors. Members of the Founder's Pass Program will ensure a record season in our contributions to the valley.

CONTACT INFORMATION

As Panorama Mountain Village is about creating lasting memories between friends and families, the Panorama Foundation is about creating a better future for the people who call our valley home. Volunteerism, innovative ideas, leadership and commitment to community investment are vital ingredients to making a positive and relevant impact. We thank you for joining us in support of a brighter tomorrow for the Valley…

Panorama Foundation
Box 2511
Invermere B.C. V0A 1K0
Phone 250.342.5330
Email: info@PanoramaFoundation.com