Getting reacquainted with Powder King

DANIELLE VALLEE

Powder King, located in northern British Columbia was recently voted by SnowSeekers viewers as having the best (and most) powder in Western Canada. REIMER PHOTOS/Special to SnowSeekers

POWDER KING, BC — It was only after I returned to Powder King after being away for several years that I realized how spoiled I really was growing up and learning how to ski and snowboard there.

This mountain, tucked away in northern British Columbia about two hours from my hometown of Prince George, has relatively little commercial development and always seems to live up to its name and this visit was no different.

Powder King truly is a powder seeker’s paradise with fresh powder accessible virtually everywhere on the hill. During my two days of getting reacquainted with the mountain, it felt as though I was boarding backcountry even though I was right there on the main mountain, just off of groomed runs. 

Small mountain with big hill status

Though it’s a relatively small mountain compared to many other ski resorts, it was as though I had the run of the mountain, despite the fact that it was the holiday season which brought snow-seekers from all around out to the hill. 

I never had to wait in line to get on the lifts and rarely encountered other skiers and boarders as I carved in and out of trees making fresh tracks in untouched powder on many runs.  

Powder King, located in northern British Columbia receives an annual snowfall of 12.5 metres (41 feet), one of the highest in North America. REIMER PHOTOS/Special to SnowSeekers

To make this an even more interesting trip, I brought my boyfriend, Dan Moore along. It was his first visit and boy did he have a learning experience.

“I heard that the powder at PK (as the locals call it) is second to none, and indeed it was impressive,” said Moore. “Even the groomed runs directly adjacent to the lifts (normally worn down at many resorts) had terrific stashes to play in. There are also lots of little gullies and treed areas between groomed runs.”

On-hill accommodations

We had the wonderful opportunity that night to stay with friends on hill in one of the brand new privately-owned cabins in Powder King Estates. Very few lots remain available for sale in this small new community, only minutes from the chair lift and most are owned by local season’s pass holders, but some may be available for rent in the near future. 

Moore really got a kick out of the local mode of transportation.

“There seems to be a lot of other outdoor pursuits around here, especially snowmobiling. I think I’d like the idea of coming out of my house and jumping on a sled and heading to the hill to get in a day of skiing. Now that’s a true mountain experience.

Private and beautiful, the Powder King Estates are located very close to Powder King Resort. REIMER PHOTOS/Special to SnowSeekers

"I mean, where else would you find a ski hill parking lot full of sleds?”

Lack of powder??

Day two of the trip started by chatting with Jim Salisbury, one of the owners who really gets into his business by greeting customers with a friendly smile at the ticket booth.

While chatting with him, he mentioned that it has been quite a dry year as far as snowfall goes, almost apologizing for there not being more snow at this point.  

I pointed out that with a 211 centimetre base and the new snowfall the day before, that I couldn’t have been happier with the powder I had found on hill already, and couldn’t wait to get out there to see what I could find that day. 

To find out more about this British Columbia gem, including the upcoming 25th anniversary celebrations beginning Jan. 29, head to www.powderking.com.

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