Big changes are coming to the ski area at Manning Park Resort: this is the last season for the iconic Orange Chair that has been in place since 1970.
At the beginning of this winter season, general manager, Vern Schram, made the major announcement that a brand-new quadruple chairlift will replace the Orange Chair for the start of the Winter 2019/20 season. Immediately following this announcement, many locals from the Manning Park community wanted to know what would happen to the chairs from the Orange Chair after it is retired.
“We recognize how iconic and special the Orange Chair has been for our guests and Manning Park, for the 49 years that it has been in service,” said Robyn Barker, Manning’s marketing coordinator.
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“There is a lifetime of memories on this chairlift, which is why we’re planning three fun ways to divest ourselves of the chairs to those who would love to have one.”
The fun starts with the #IRodeTheOrangeChair Photo Contest, run on Instagram and Facebook.
“We want to see a photo and hear your greatest memory of the Orange Chair and what it means to you. We’ll be giving away three chairs in this contest with the winners being chosen on March 21st.”
A First Come, First Serve Sale at 9 a.m. on March 22 comes next. “We are expecting a big demand for the 152 chairs that we have available,” continued Barker. This means, “if you want an Orange Chair for your lawn, for a porch swing, or whatever you can dream up, this is the place to get it!”
The chairs are priced at $250 each.
Finally, Manning Park Resort will auction off 10 chairs for five charitable organizations that live and play in Manning Park, with 100 per cent of the auction proceeds going towards these organizations, which include Manning Park’s Interpretive Programs, the Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning, Manning Ski Club, the Canadian Ski Patrol, and the Friends of Manning Park. There will be two auctions of five chairs each, at the end of March and the first week of April.
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“We are really excited to see the interest for the Orange chairs in this auction,” said Barker. “We hope that people will be inspired to donate generously for these great organizations.”
Barker added that a few key chairs will also be used around the Resort for special photo locations, so there will still be chances to ride the Orange Chair at Manning Park Resort, even once the brand-new quad chairlift is installed.
The end of the season will culminate in a “Last Chair Fest” on March 31st, with a toast to the Orange Chair on the last day of the season to send it off in style.
Further information on the Orange Chair, Manning Park Resort events and accommodation can be found at www.manningpark.com.
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