I had plans to meet up with Chuck and Brent to chat about the plans for the 07 mountain bike season but really what I wanted to do was shred the trails before everybody else. So it was pretty easy to find some partners in crime, I called up Ferg & Kyle and of course Johnny who had just got a new camera that day and was eager to try it out.
Ferg wanted to know if I had set things up with the mountain to get some riding in before the chair officially opened but no, that would be too easy. I wanted to just poach some trails, way more fun when your not sure if you're gonna catch shit or not. We got up the hill around 6:30 p.m. and stealthly made our way up disco road towards Big Brother, Tyler had tipped us off that the middle section of Big Brother had received some love and was probably our best bet.
We started out at the wall ride for a warm up. While the boys pulled their trix for Johnny, I scoped out the nearby trails. I am not going to lie to you, there are still some sick spring snowboarding lines but it is evident that the trail crew has been busy.
Next we hit up the Wizard, since Mount Washington received a full pounding from mother nature in the way of storms last year there were a few trees littering the area but that didn't stop us it just made for some more interesting lines.
We finished up on the four cross track, which after being packed down by 900 + centimeters all winter was in pristine condition. By the looks of things, Mount Washington is well on its way to their best season yet.
Fast forward 2 days and I meet up with my ol buddies Chuck and Brent. After the usual banter and garbled marketing speel from Brent I got the dirt on this years plans:
When are you guys opening for mountain biking and what trails are gonna be open?
Opening day for mountain biking is Saturday June 30. Trails that will be open for June 30 are (Hawk Chair) Big Brother top to bottom, the Wizard into Evil Eye and (Eagle Chair) Monster Mile top to bottom.
What is gonna change this year? What did people want last year that you are going to give them this year?
Change in hours of operation, we will be open 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. 7 days a week. That should make some people happy. Especially the ones that have to work for a living.
We are adding two new skills centres, it will be a good place for people to hang out and build skills.
New trail this year for beginner / intermediate riders called Time Warp from the top of the Hawk chair it will run below Magical Mystery tour.
What else exciting is happening, new trails, etc?
Jimmy Deas is going to be working his magic up here for five weeks this summer, he will be building the slope style course, just below the slope style he will be building a new dirt jump park, and somewhere in there he will be designing and building his own trail off the Hawk chair. The slope style will be open to the public to shred as soon as it is complete and Jimmy's complete trail is scheduled to open for August long weekend.
Bear Claw is also on the hook to design and build his own signature trail on the mountain in 2007. Definately some good stuff happening. It is unsure whether or not Darren's trail will be off the Hawk or the Eagle.
Some killer events scheduled for this year, what is the rundown?
Norco Learn to Ride Week July 9 - 13
Canada Cup downhill July 18 - Monster Mile
Tim Horton's National Championships downhill July 19 - 20 - Monster Mile.
Bear Claw Invitational and huge after party August 4 check out
bearclawinvitational.com There are also rumours of a big air side event that weekend.
Sleeman's Jump Jam August 25 - This event is open to anyone who wants to participate, also working on a BMX line for this event.
Lucky Thursdays - races every Thursday in August
Norco VPS Fest September 15 & 16
Wow, that is a lot of fun stuff. For more information on Mount Washington, check out their website at
www.mountwashington.caAll Pics By Johno-Check his album HERE. 
