TERRACE, BC — Shames, located just outside of Terrace, British Columbia, is the type of place where you can easily get in powder tracks with little to no effort, because they are everywhere. The big story and the top story is powder. Shames is known for getting the most amount of snow over many other lift-serviced destinations on the planet.
“Here at Shames, it’s a very organic experience. We are a traditional ski hill, you come here to play in the snow period. It’s all about fun,” explains general manager, Marty Elston.
The thing that continually blows me away about Shames is the opportunity to make turns in powder conditions that last for days. At any other ski destination the pow gets gobbled up quick, but here in the Skeena Mountain Range and the entire region of Terrace, not only do the opportunities linger, but there is no rush to get at it, because there are not many people around to eat it up.
And if you are a fan of the backcountry, than Shames is your spot. There are a tonne of incredible backcountry options, like where we hit into V and Burnt Trees which is a cool hike with some outstanding powder stashes all funnelling into a great basin that will pop you back out and into the resort boundaries.
The mountain may only be home to a vertical of 468 metres (1,600 feet) and only boasts a chairlift and a t-bar with 28 trails, but you may just want to check Shames Mountain Resort off the list for one single fact – a 12 metre (40 feet) average snowfall.
Considering that there is normally 2.4 metres (8 feet) in a story, five stories is a whole mess of the white stuff.
"Today we went over the meter stick at 5 meters … it’s buried,” said Mike Talstra, ski school director. "Last year we received 190 centimetres in 24 hours and this season we received 300 cms (just short of 10 feet) in a week. In conditions like this you don’t even need edges on the board when it’s so powdery, there is like two days of ice here ever.”
There have been reports where it’s started to snow and it hasn’t stopped, to the point where people get snowed in up at the lodge. Luckily there is Sneaky Pete’s to keep everyone occupied – it’s one of the local’s best kept secrets. Galloway’s is the on-mountain bar featuring a very interesting and delicious signature drink that combines a generous blend Kahlua, Rye and milk over ice in an oversized mug from a free pouring bartender.
The resort works with a number of hotels and lodges in Terrace providing special packages that include both lift tickets and accommodations. To find out more about Shames Mountain Resort, visit www.shamesmountain.com To find out more on Terrace itself, it’s lively nightlife, excellent dining options, alternate activities and it’s many amenities, visitwww.kermodeitourism.ca
The mountain:
Vertical: 488 metres (1,600 ft), Elevation: Base area: 700m (2,300 ft), Top: 1,189m (3,900 ft)
Lift system: Double chair, t-bar and a handle tow, Trails: 28 total
Natural Glades: 45 ha (111 acres), Longest Run: 4 kilometres (2.5 miles)
Day lodge facilities: Galloway’s Mountain Bar, Panhandler Café which offers hot and cold food, ski and snowboard school, retail shop, customer service, rentals, and repairs.
Annual Snowfall: 1,200 cms (39+feet)
Getting there:
Drive from Terrace:30 minutes (38km/23 miles) *Open: Wed-Sunday
The Terrace airport offers regional air service to and from Kelowna, BC and Prince George, BC, plus direct flights from Vancouver, BC are available through Air Canada.
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SITE FEATURES
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