More than half of British Columbia's major ski resorts are located in the Kootenay Rockies region. The terrain here is dominated by amazing mountain ranges – the Monashees, Purcells, Selkirks, and Rockies – and up to 12-18m/40-60ft of light, dry powder falls each year.
Ski and snowboard resorts in the Kootenay Rockies feature uncrowded slopes, short lift lines, and laid-back, friendly atmospheres. The quantity and proximity of resorts along the "Powder Highway" enables skiers and boarders to sample a variety of slopes during a single visit.
There are also number of smaller, family-friendly downhill ski and snowboard areas in the Kootenay Rockies.
Skiing in the Kootenay Rockies
Revelstoke Mountain Resort is BC’s newest ski resort (2011/12 is only its fifth season), and it has the longest lift-serviced vertical in North America: 1,713m/5,620ft. It's also possible to go cat-skiing or heli-skiing from the same base.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort (in Golden) is aptly labelled “the champagne capital of Canada” and has up to 7m/23ft of light, dry powder falling annually, along with big mountain terrain consisting of chutes, bowls, glades and steeps.
Near Invermere, Panorama Mountain Village’s ski area covers 1,152ha/2,847ac. Its Rockstar Terrain Park is the biggest in the Kootenay Rockies region.
Kimberley Alpine Resort is a great family-friendly ski destination that combines convenient access (20 minutes by car from the Canadian Rockies International Airport) with quiet, uncrowded slopes and consistent snow.
High in the Rocky Mountains, Fernie Alpine Resort offers the greatest vertical (1,082m/3,550ft) and the most runs in the Canadian Rockies with the opening of the new Polar Peak chairlift. The powder is deep and dry with up to 11.3m/37ft falling annually. Varied terrain includes 142 named runs, five massive alpine bowls, endless glades, chutes and cliffs.
Red Mountain Resort at Rossland is a favourite with locals, and features 88 runs, uncrowded slopes, gladed tree skiing, incredible steeps, and powder-filled bowls.
In Nelson, Whitewater Ski Resort is perfect for powderhounds and backcountry skiing enthusiasts; up to 12m/39ft of dry, light snow falls annually.
Smaller Ski Areas
Fairmont Hot Springs in Invermere offers free entrance to their natural mineral hot springs to relax in after a day on the slopes. Summit Lake Ski Area in Nakusp and Salmo Ski Hill in Salmo are two other small but uncrowded options.
Practical Points
- Equipment rentals and lessons are available at all major ski resorts.
- Accommodations at ski and snowboard resorts usually include a range of ski-in/ski-out or on-mountain options; additional accommodation is also available in nearby cities and towns.
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