Panorama Mountain Resort is a ski and golf resort in Canada, located in the Purcell Mountains of southeastern British Columbia. Part of the Columbia Valley sub-region of the East Kootenay region, it is a tourist destination known for its rolling cliffs and views of the Rocky Mountains. It is privately owned by Panorama Mountain Village Inc. History Panorama was founded in 1962 by Fritz Zehnder of Invermere and Guy Messerli of Switzerland, and some friends. The original facilities consisted of a warming hut, parking lot, and single rope tow, running on a V8, which ran transported users up the bottom of a ski run now known as "Old Timer". The area took its name from a nearby hiking area called the "Panorama Plateau". In 1964, a platter, purchased from nearby Sunshine Village, was installed to replace the rope tow. During these initial years, the ski hill was volunteer-run. In 1968, 12 local businessmen formed a group called Panorama Ski Hill Company Ltd to manage and grow the ski hill. A lodge, built in an A-Frame style, was built. In 1969, several slopes were cleared, the platter was moved to its present location as the current Silver Platter, and a mile-long wooden T-Bar was installed along the route of the current Mile 1 Express. In the early 70s, Panorama Ski Hill Company continued to grow and required more area to accommodate more skiers. To raise capital for expansion, utilities were installed for 75 lots, which were sold near the base of the hill for development to raise money for the hill. Using the funds that they earned from the lots, a new double chair, named the "Horizon Chair", was installed. in 1975. The Horizon ran roughly three quarters along the path of the current Champagne Express lift. In 1978, Panorama was purchased from Panorama Ski Hill Company by Calgary based Alan Graham and Cascade Development Group. With more available capital, Graham funded more facilities at the base of the hill the construction of the Toby Creek Lodge, in 1979, the Horsethief Lodge, Pine Inn, and tennis facilities, in 1982, and a conference centre in 1985. They expanded the ski hill, with the construction of the current Toby and Sunbird Chairs in 1980, snowmaking facilities in 1983, and Champagne T-Bar in 1984. The T-Bar was built, in part, to facilitate hosting the World Cup in 1985. In 1988, the original wooden T-Bar