Breathtaking vertical drops and fresh powder make Northern BC a fantastic destination for skiing and snowboarding. Enjoy magnificent vistas from the mountaintops and tree-lined runs at Northern BC ski resorts, without the crowds found at slopes further south.
Feeling adventurous? Go for extreme winter challenges like a three-day snowmobile or heli-ski adventure into the backcountry. For more sublime winter activities, try snowshoeing, dogsledding or cross-country skiing through the countryside.
Shames Mountain, located 35km/22mi west of Terrace, receives an average annual snowfall of 12.2m/40ft, so it's a natural choice for downhill skiers and snowboarders. Located in the Coast Mountains, this breathtaking backcountry is about as far away as anyone can get from the rest of the world.
Smithers is an ideal winter destination and could easily be mistaken for a quaint European alpine village. Specialty shops, restaurants and boutiques line the main streets, all framed by majestic Hudson Bay Mountain, which boasts more than 121ha/300ac of skiing terrain and world-class scenery.
Some of the deepest powder in Northern BC falls at Powder King Mountain Resort, located at Pine Pass (67km/42mi northeast of Mackenzie). Nestled in the pristine Canadian Rockies, the terrific powder conditions and alpine setting makes this a snow-lover's paradise.
The beautiful Robson Valley and McBride provides access to some of the region’s best heli-ski opportunities. The area near Stewart is home to one of the largest heli-ski areas in the world, and has terrain as far north as the 60th parallel. Heli-ski tour packages offered in both these places allow visitors to explore untouched snow runs in wild terrain.
Prince George, Fort St. John, Mackenzie, Fort St. James, and Smithers offer dogsledding tours or sleigh rides through picture-perfect snow-covered forests. Spend a day mushing, or pile the family on the back of a sleigh. Top the day's activities off with the perfect cold weather solution: a steaming cup of hot chocolate.
Snowmobile riders in Northern BC will find thousands of acres of unspoiled trails, both challenging and leisurely in design. Mackenzie’s Morfee Mountain is known for deep powder snow, ideal for beginner or experienced snowmobilers. With trails nearing 1,767m/5,800ft feet, this area offers a huge experience for snowmobile enthusiasts.
Had a Great Nothern BC Winter Adventure?
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Read about backcountry skiing and snowshoeing in the Prince George area in British Columbia Magazine.