Shames Mountain

British Columbia is home to some of the world's best skiing and snowboarding, and the Shames Mountain ski area showcases the ingredients that make the Province stand out. Billed as "the little ski area that rocks," the winter venue is Canada's first non-profit community service ski co-operative.

Driving this far north during the winter can be tricky, but motorists are happy to find the Trans-Canadian Highway 16 driving past the resort. The Towns of Terrace and Prince Rupert are home to Rail Canada depots and airports with connecting flights. Americans will likely fly into an International facility (like Vancouver's International Airport) and use either connecting flights or ride the train.

Deep Snow in Northwest British Columbia

While the Shames Mountain ski area sits north of the Yellowhead Highway, its proximity to the Pacific Coast places it within a humid continental climate. For visitors to the winter resort, that means cold and wet winters, although not as frigid as further inland. Average annual snowfall amounts reach 480 inches.

Daytrippers (sorry, night owls) will have plenty of opportunities to get dumped on, allowing them to cut fresh tracks. Seasons at the resort go from sometime in December through March in most years. Accommodations are rentable in and around Terrace, with the resort working closely with local businesses. Locally-owned lodging and more commercial rooms will meet most budgets and party sizes.

There are simple food services to keep visitors fueled during their time on the slopes, but more elaborate dining must be found off-site. Rental equipment is available for skiers, snowboarders, and back-country explorers. The shop also provides quick tune-ups and repairs on damaged gear. Group and private lessons through the Ski School get folks up on their planks, with camps and longer-running programs on the itinerary for local skiers and riders who frequent Shames Mountain.

Lots of Acres to Explore Here

There are more than 7,800 acres of backcountry terrain that guests can explore around the Shames Mountain ski area. Downhill terrain inbounds include 111 acres of natural glades that are skiable and 252 acres of skiable terrain altogether. Backcountry areas do not get patrolled, so visitors opting to explore there need to follow the rules to stay safe.

Shames Mountain has a base elevation of 2,300 feet and a summit that reaches 3,900 feet. The 1,600-foot vertical drop offers plenty of action for skiers and snowboarders, no matter their skill level. Guests can use the 28 runs covering 141 acres of mountain slopes at the Shames Mountain winter venue to create their ultimate experience. The longest run here reaches about 2.5 miles in total length.

Eight runs are marked as green, indicating terrain suitable for beginners. A total of 15 alpine trails offer blue-rated exploration for skiers and riders of intermediate experience. Five runs rate at a black diamond, and another two have double black diamond ratings for the advanced and expert ski bums visiting Shames Mountain. Three lifts move skiers and riders around the Shames Mountain ski area, including the Red T-Bar near Rainbow Ridge. The lifties keep everyone moving uphill efficiently, so there will be no waiting to get back to the top.