Whitewater Ski Resort

British Columbia stands out with skiers and snowboarders around the globe due to the deep snow that many of its ski areas receive, including the amounts at the Whitewater Ski Resort. The conditions are ideal for producing the dry powder that makes carving fresh tracks so much fun, and the resort sits within the Ymir bowl, with a prime altitude for powder conditions.

Motorists will use British Columbia's Highway system close to the US border (Highways 3, 6, and 95 provide the best approaches). Highway 6 leads to Nelson and passes near Ymir Mountain. Americans driving north have several roadway options, depending upon which state they are traveling. West Kootenay Regional Airport is the closest airfield, with the nearest International Airport sitting in Kelowna.

Selected as a Replacement

Downhill skiing has been a part of the fabric of Nelson since the 1930s, but it was not until 1974 that a co-op of local snow hounds got together and selected Ymir bowl that the Whitewater Ski Resort began to take shape. The only overnight facility at the resort is a camping area where guests can park their RVs (which might have to be moved periodically after heavy snows for plowing purposes). Nelson is only a couple of miles down the road and has ten lodging options to meet visitors' needs.

Dining options at Whitewater Ski Resort include five different drink or food venues in the day lodge, with an additional option at the Glory Lodge just outside the winter resort. The day lodge also houses guest services, a first-aid station, and washrooms. There are plenty of retail outlets in Nelson, but guests can buy apparel and gear at the on-site store. The Whitewater Ski Resort rents standard and hi-performance equipment, with staff available to tune up and repair personal gear to get it ready for use.

Skiing and snowboarding lessons at the snow school help beginners with the fundamentals. Other groups or private classes help participants with various skill levels and interests. These include instructor programs and courses on avalanche safety.

Alpine Exploration in the Selkirk Mountains

Ymir Mountain is part of the Selkirk Mountain Range, stretching from the northern reaches of Idaho and Washington into the Province. The Whitewater Ski Resort sits below the peak, in the naturally created Ymir bowl, which receives 480 inches of snow each year. Prevailing conditions generate plenty of dry powder instead of the wet snows found further west. The temperatures hover around 18 degrees Fahrenheit during the ski season, so guests need to stay bundled as they play down the slopes.

A 2,044-foot vertical drop at the Whitewater Ski Resort generates plenty of speed and opportunities for skiers and riders alike. The winter resort has 1,184 lift-accessed terrains and a profile of 2,367 acres of total skiable terrain. There are 82 runs that guests can select as they explore Whitewater Ski Resort, with ratings of green/beginner (8 runs or 10-percent), blue/intermediate (26 runs or 32-percent), black diamond/advanced (39 runs or 47-percent), and double black diamond/expert (9 runs or 11-percent).

The Whitewater Ski Resort maintains four lifts with an uphill capacity of 4,500 guests per hour.