The powder highway is the ultimate ski and snowboarding roadtrip.
In the south east corner of Canada’s British Columbia where heli and cat skiing was born, is the ultimate ski and snowboarding road trip. It comprises of one very long road, nine heli-ski operators, 11 Nordic ski resorts, 15 snowcat ski outfitters and 22 back country ski touring operators, as well as pretty towns and legendary champagne powder. What more could you want?
You can either fly in to Vancouver or Calgary – if you fly into the later you may as well take in Banff and Lake Louise. It would be rude not to.
Once you’ve driven or flow into the Shangri-la of snow, skiing and snowboarding you will have so many resorts to choose from your head will spin. You can take them all in or pick out your favorites.
Champagne powder at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
In 1858 Dr. James Hector, a geologist, trying to find a way through the Rockies for the Canadian Pacific Railway, was kicked in the chest by his horse. This seeming non-descript event lead to the name of the mountain pass and then to the ski resort in the area where he was kicked.
Kicking Horse Mountain is not for beginners – 60 per cent of the terrain is for experts only. This is for the serious experience skier/boarder and for the back country lovers.
One of the youngest resorts in BC, Revelstoke is famous for its Heli-Sking and has the most vertical run in in North America. This is another resort that is for the experts with 47.5 per cent on the terrain given over to black and diamonds runs. Its longest run is 15.2km – now that’s some burn!
Skiers and snowboarders at Whitewater Winter Resort.
In the Kootney area of British Columbia Whitewater has some of the driest snow you can get. The resort regularly gets 12 meters (40ft) of deep light dry powder. This mountain is popular for its lift access to back county terrain.
With Whitewater you can mix powder days with a bit of culture, the resort is only a 15 minute drive from Nelson, a town famous for art, food and culture.
Kimberley Alpine Resort
One of the sunniest resorts in B.C., Kimberly is a laid back family friendly resort, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some gnarly runs. 80 per cent of the trails are for intermediate or advanced. It’s has a great rail park for those that like to show off their jib skills.
Catskiing in Nelson at Panorama Mountain Resort
Another resort that is famous for its off-piste terrain. It’s beginner friendly with a large area just for newbies. 75 per cent of the runs are for beginners and intermediate. Not a bad place to chill out after some hard boarding/skiing and long drives.
Red Mountain
A small quite resort this is a big favorite amongst those that make hitting the slopes their life. Though it is only thought that if it get plenty of snow. Red Mountain expanded its terrain my 1,000 acres this year. There are something for everyone from double diamonds to greens and plenty in between.
The pretty town of Rossland, two miles from the resort, is full of character – an old gold rush town it’s now famous for food and culture.
This resort gets 37 feet of dry champagne powder annually and there are five alpine bowls and 140 named runs. There are rarely queues and you never have to worry too much about colliding in to someone. As with many of the powder highway resorts, if you go on a weekday it will be quiet.
Fairmont Hot Springs Ski Resort
Relax those tired muscles in the natural hot springs. More of a family resort, this is a gentle slope for beginners and intermediates. This is where you should end your trip and congratulate yourself on making it round the Powder Highway.
Of course it’s up to you if you ride in all the resorts or just a select few. You will usually find a mix of high end and budget accommodation: but be warned this is not a cheap part of the world. What is considered cheap in British Columbia would not be considered so by European standards. You can always try Air B&B and Couch surfing if you’re on a really tight budget.
This is a bucket list road trip, one the team of Sea to Sky would love to do – we better start saving.
