Powder King delivers a one-of-a-kind ski experience

Powder King Mountain Resort’s location and stellar terrain can have you feeling like a late day explorer discovering the ultimate ski destination.  DOC POW/SnowSneekers

DOC POW

POWDER KING, BC — Tucked up in the northeast corner of British Columbia, not far from Prince George, and close to the Alberta border is a place known as Powder King Mountain Resort. It’s a place where many a skier or rider’s powder-filled dreams come true.

The King is known for getting consistent and substantial seasonal snowfalls over any other lift serviced area in North America, some might say the planet. It all comes with caution however, because with this much snow there’s potential for slides, and it’s rugged up here. 

“Unlike other resorts, our patrol does not give anyone trouble for heading out of bounds,” said Karen Jungnitsch, retail and rental manager. “They don’t need to.”

And that’s a good thing, because Powder King does not have avalanche control.

Inbound backcountry

“Within our tenure we have access to over 5,500 skiable acres,” said resort owner and manager, Jim Salisbury. “With only 27 marked runs, this area is a backcountry enthusiast’s amusement park. We quote it as it’s heli-skiing here minus the chopper. I’ve been cat-skiing, I’ve been heli-skiing but honestly, for a $49 lift ticket, most days you’re going to experience the exact same conditions here.”

Powder King has a legendary status among the Western Canadian ski and snowboard community. In my seven years of covering the snow scene, I have heard many stories that I just couldn’t believe were true. But it’s not until you get here, that you begin to understand the glazed look that comes over the teller’s eyes when they talk about the King.

When it comes to glade runs, Powder King ranks right up there.  BRANDON BOUCHER/SnowSeekers

All natural

I was loving every minute, chompin’ my way through a sea of whiteness. It’s that light fluffy champagne cold smoke that has you slicing your board through a white canvas of snow. Every turn translates into a face shot and a cold rush. The terrain here features everything anyone could want, from powder bowls and chutes, to some amazzzzzing glade opportunities. 

"The glading here is all natural. We’ve done a little bit of work to thin it out but for the most part, it’s all how it is," said Scott Courtemanche, manager of the onsite Powder Hounds Pub, and ski and snowboard guide by day.  

The King’s status in the community is only furthered by the amounts of snow that this place can get over night or from a stalled system. I’m surprised that snorkel gear isn’t supplied with every lift ticket.

"You can go to sleep at 10 or 11 at night with clear skies full of stars, and awake the next morning to feet of snow" said Courtemanche. 

"When we get back-to-back storm systems coming through, we’ll get in 48 hours the same amount of snow that some resorts will get in their entire season," said Salisbury. And it’s true. 

Powder rules

Environment Canada has reported systems delivering as much as 2 to 3 metres (six to 10 feet) in a week. It’s enough to leave a serious case of perma-grin on any snow seekers face. 

“We see people a lot here walking off the mountain saying, ‘We’ll be back tomorrow when the snow settles a bit,’” said Salisbury. “They simply cannot handle the powder.”

This place has been dubbed by its owner as “the Whisper of the North.” Not too many people have heard about it, and those who are in the know would like to keep it that way. "People keep telling me to put a sign out on the highway, and I said I have, but the locals keep stealing it," laughs Salisbury. 

Worth the effort

Powder King is three hours from Grand Prairie and two hours from Prince George, so expect minimal lift line ups. Don’t make plans to stay for a week because the place is only open Thursday through Sunday. But once you’re there, all you’re going to hear from the locals is, " Oh, you should have been here when…" stories. 

They’re all full of them. They are stories of powder days that are simply too amazing to believe unless you’ve experienced it for yourself. But those days do exist, trust me – and those days, and there are many, are what the Whisper of the North is known for. Check em’ out at www.powderking.com, and book your flight to Planet Pow.