The Kootenays region in British Columbia is a hub for outdoor lovers and adventurers. People in these communities enjoy mountain biking, skiing, hiking, rock climbing, swimming…and the list could go on. The hype is real when snow starts to fall and ski season begins! Nestled in these mountains is a ski resort that every skier must visit at some point in their life. Whitewater ski resort has everything going for it, from the friendly staff to the i-n-c-r-e-d-i-b-l-e powder, and delicious food.
I had never heard of Whitewater ski resort, despite growing up and skiing in B.C during my childhood years. Thankfully, I had the opportunity to go there recently while I was working a contract in Nelson. Unfortunately, I had just missed the legendary 62cm overnight powder day. However, the conditions were still good when I skied at Whitewater, and I fell in love with the resort!
At Whitewater Ski Resort, there are three separate lifts with many different ski runs, ranging from green to double blacks. The resort also boasts of backcountry skiing access- just take the chairlift to the top, and you are able to backcountry ski to your heart’s content! Situated just below Ymir mountain, the views are stunning at Whitewater. Here are 5 reasons you should come on down to the Kootenays and experience some of BC’s best skiing!
1. The Powder
Need I say more? Whitewater is part of the “powder highway” in the Kootenays. This resort boasts of 12 metres of snowfall in a year. That’s some deep snow. As I had mentioned above, they do get dumps of snow throughout the season. Just prior to arriving in Nelson, there was a 62 centimetre (2 feet!) dump overnight, only to continue snowing for the next week. I heard stories of waist deep powder. Time to get your snorkel out!
2. The Small Resort
Thanks to being a smaller resort, Whitewater doesn’t see traffic like the “big” resorts do. This means little to no wait times at lift lines. Less wait = more skiing! And, you can get some of the first tracks in on some runs. I went during the week, and I didn’t have to wait in line for chairlifts, however, the weekends do get a bit busier.
3. The Atmosphere
The atmosphere is fun, relaxed, and friendly. The staff are helpful and super friendly. There’s no rush on the hill. Just a relaxing, family-oriented, and enjoyable small-town vibe.
4. The food
Whitewater is known for it’s food. I wish I had taken a picture of my Thai Bowl. It was filled with greens and deliciously fresh ingredients. They have everything from sandwiches and burgers, chili, salads, and the famous Ymir, Thai, and Glory bowls. They even have their very own cook-book. Yes, the food is that good! I don’t know if anything’s better than tasty food after skiing all day, except maybe the locally brewed beer that is served at the lodge!
5. The town
Nelson is a vibrant, small-town community. This town is filled with funky shops, vintage buildings, incredible restaurants, and trendy breweries and roastaries. One could spend a week just exploring what Nelson has to offer! Be sure to visit Ainsworth hot springs if you decide to take a rest day from skiing. Only about 45 minutes from Nelson, it’s a hit for locals and tourists alike!
Whitewater Ski Resort
So there you have it, five reasons to visit Whitewater Ski Resort. A place where you can hit the slopes, enjoy delicious food, and then hit the town and explore all that Nelson has to offer! If you time it right, you will likely get some sick pow-days. Just don’t forget your snorkel!
Want to learn more about the resort? https://skiwhitewater.com/
Want to learn more about backcountry skiing? So You Want to Try Backcountry Skiing: A Beginner’s Guide