Kootenay Rockies Things To Do

Highlights:

Nelson: This heritage town is a gateway to steep, deep and ungroomed heli-skiing terrain.
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Rossland: Descend through champagne powder over terrain that includes steep couloirs and natural half pipes.
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Revelstoke: This area is revered for its deep snow, open alpine and glacier terrain.
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Meadow Creek: This remote community is a key heli-ski destination for expert skiers and riders.
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Nakusp: The heli-skiing here is challenging and should only be tackled by experienced skiers.
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Golden: This area is famed for its reliable snowfalls as well as its varied terrain.
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Panorama: Open slopes, scenic glaciers and gladed forests are just a 10-minute ride from this mountain resort.
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Bugaboos: The birthplace of heli-skiing, this is still the sport's most famous and revered destination.
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Nelson

Nestled in the spectacular Selkirk Mountains, Nelson is one of the finest heritage cities in Canada. It also boasts a vibrant arts community. The town is a gateway to over 80,937 ha (200,000 ac) of heli-ski terrain. This area attracts experienced skiers and boarders, who are lured by the steep, deep and ungroomed powder and get off on shredding down precipitous alpine bowls and through old-growth forests. Nelson is situated close by Whitewater Winter Resort, which offers 243 ha (600 ac) of lift-accessed skiing and boarding.
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Rossland

Rossland is a sports enthusiasts' kind of town, offering access to high adventure all year round. The snow in this area is extremely light and soft; locals call it "cold smoke." The hundreds of square kilometres (miles) of pure Kootenay powder include spectacular alpine bowls, steep couloirs and natural half-pipes. After a day of skiing, relax at a lodge with an outdoor hot tub, massage services and five-star dining. Operators offer a variety of trips that vary from single- to multi-day excursions. Rossland is close by the renowned Red Mountain Resort, which boasts an average snow base of nearly 4 m (13 ft).
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Revelstoke

Revestoke is a charming town nestled between the Selkirk and Monashee mountains. From here, you can access almost 6,000 sq km (2,300 sq mi) of terrain in the Monashees, Selkirks and Rockies. The area is revered for its deep snow, big open alpine and glacier terrain as well as magnificent tree skiing. There are hundreds of established runs, with new ones regularly added. The terrain and snow is best suited to experienced skiers and boarders, although one operator offers "Intro to Powder" clinics. Packages range from three to seven days.
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Meadow Creek

This tiny community is situated at the north end of Kootenay Lake, which is surrounded by the Selkirk and Purcell mountains. Although remote, Meadow Creek is a key heli-ski destination for expert skiers and boarders and home to a number of operators. Clients have access to an area of over 320 sq km (124 sq mi), with terrain on both sides of Kootenay Lake and further north above Duncan Lake. The Selkirks and Purcells with their rugged, high-elevation peaks, offer exceptional powder snow and stable weather conditions. The mountains are high enough that the snow remains light and powdery into the spring. Operators offer both day and multi-day trips.

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Nakusp

Nakusp sits at the foot of the Selkirk Mountains on the eastern shore of Upper Arrow Lake. This area attracts skiers and boarders during the winter thanks to 1,155 sq km (446 sq mi) of skiing terrain - made all the more desirable by several natural hot springs nearby in which to soak after a hard day's skiing and boarding. The heli-skiing here -in the Selkirks and Monashees- is quite challenging and should only be tackled by strong, experienced skiers. Most runs weave in and out of old-growth forests. Local operators offer three- and seven-day trips.
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Golden

This town is situated between the Purcell and Rocky Mountains, close to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Operators based in this community offer single-day packages as well as two-to-seven day trips in the Purcell and Selkirk ranges. Ski or ride over 2,000 sq km (772 sq mi), down alpine glaciers and open slopes, as well as through trees and gladed areas. This area is famed for its reliable snowfalls as well as its varied terrain.
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Panorama

Panorama Mountain Village is a charming alpine resort that offers 120 runs and over 1,152 ha (2,847 ac). The heli-ski operator located here covers 1,500 sq km (930 sq mi) of terrain in the heart of the Purcell Mountains, a 10-15 minute helicopter ride away. Here you can access wide open alpine slopes, scenic glaciers and gladed forests, graced by annual snowfalls of up to 11 m (36 ft). Proximity to Panorama means that you will never have a day where you cannot ski or board. Packages vary from single- to four-day excursions, with options available for first-time heli-skiers and boarders.
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Bugaboos

The Bugaboos are part of the Purcell Mountain Range. Heli-skiing was born in the granite spires of these mountains. This area now offers not only incredible heli-skiing, but heli-hiking, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Here you can find peaks as high as 3,350 m (11,000 ft). Today, the Bugaboos are one of the most established heli-ski areas, offering an immense variety of runs, both above and below the tree line. Ski on glaciers surrounded by massive monoliths. Operators offer three- to ten-day excursions. To confidently tackle this area, you must be an advanced skier or boarder who has skied a minimum of 20 to 30 days a season, for the past several years.

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