The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is close to formalizing an agreement with the Callaghan Valley Local Organizing Committee (CALOC) that would establish dual passes for cross-country skiers using the Lost Lake trails and Nordic centre trails this winter.
Roger Weetman, manager of programming services, will present the agreement at the Nov. 19 council meeting. If approved he says the passes will be available at Meadow Park Sports Centre on Nov. 20.
The RMOW is also extending their early bird pass rates from Nov. 30 to Dec. 7 to give people more time to purchase the passes. People who have already purchased early bird passes will be able to pay the difference to receive dual passes.
Weetman says every effort has been made with CALOC to make their trail prices and passes complementary.
“In the spirit of co-operation, growing the sport, and getting our community excited about the trails, we’ve done everything we can to work collaboratively,” said Weetman.
CALOC is following the RMOW’s pricing structure completely, from the price of day passes to the price of season passes. Dual passes will be discounted — an extra $100 on top of the early bird rate, and an extra $125 on top of the regular rate. CALOC and the RMOW will divide the money raised from selling the dual passes.
An early bird season pass for the Lost Lake trail or Callaghan system is $179.20, while a dual pass for both will be approximately $279. After Dec. 7, a pass for Lost Lake or the Callaghan will go up to $224, while a dual season pass will be $349.
They have also proposed two-day and six-day dual passes for visitors to the resort, which will be accepted by both facilities.
This winter the Callaghan Nordic centre will feature 25 km of competition trails, including a four kilometre lighted loop that will be open on some evenings. Hours of operation are still being determined.
The Lost Lake trail network features 30 km of trails, including a two kilometre loop which is lighted for skiers. Hours of operation include night skiing until 9 p.m.
Weetman says there is a possibility that prices may go up in 2008-09 if CALOC receives final approval to open an additional 25 km of recreational trails. They are also working on a plan for 2009-2010, when the trails in Callaghan will be closed to the public for the Olympics and Paralympics.
“The details of the agreement might change over the years, but we’re still committed to working with each other every year to come to some kind of arrangement that lets the public ski at both places,” said Weetman.
Details on the two-day and six-day dual passes are still being finalized, but all other pass rates will be identical. For a complete rundown of pass prices for the 2007-08 season, visit www.whistler.ca/content/view/69/88/
