Ski BC for the ride of your life

DOC POW

I've spent 15 years documenting the ski industry in Western Canada and during that time, I've discovered many cool things that define what it means to “Ski B.C.”

Most people already know about the great snow and incredible views, but there's many more fascinating things to know about the province's vast ski scene.

Here are SnowSeekers' top "“did you knows”?" about each of B.C.'s major ski resorts powered by www.WinterWithin.ca

Revelstoke

Ski the height of Everest's eight-kilometre height in only four runs at Revelstoke. With more than 5,600 vertical feet of run (that's nearly two kilometres) your lungs and legs will be screaming for more. Read more about Revelstoke here.

Panorama Ski Village

Soak in natural hot springs just down the road or within the hot pool layout right on site. Panorama is a ski village that not only includes some great alpine options, but an impressive Nordic ski experience, and “in resort” heli-skiing.

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Fernie

Five ski bowls of glory is the easiest way to describe this resort in eastern B.C. Add to that accolades from Rolling Stone magazine which deemed it one of North America's “coolest towns.” And, in the decade since that mention, it’s become even hipper. By day, you can ski and board to your heart’s content on the bowls, dropping ridge lines, sliding on powder filled cruisers and impressive glades. No doubt you'll leave with a perma-grin. Read more about Fernie here.

Kimberley

Kimberley may be known for its family-friendliness, but it’s got plenty for the adrenaline seeker, too. For example, Easter Bowl will wow you. Kimberley is a place that surprises and delights, because as you ride up on the quad chair from the main village you might be forgiven for thinking, “this place is small.” But Easter Bowl's treats will change your mind quickly.

Red Mountain

Swiss cheese and start of the Toronto Stock Exchange are part of Red Mountain’'s fascinating history. If you ever choose to ski out of bounds at Red, proceed with caution, if you stray off the trail, there are mine shafts. Literally, Red Mountain is Swiss cheese because of all the mining for gold-copper-ore back in the early 1900s. So much so that the gold pulled out of Rossland, home to Red, was the reason the Toronto Stock Exchange was founded.

Whitewater

Looking for an end of the road skiing experience? For those of us who love off-the- beaten tracks where people do things differently, Whitewater is your place. There's a reason it’s won awards for the on and off hill mountain experiences, including its après ski lodge comfort food, but also for the array of powder feasting found on the slopes.

Kicking Horse

What sets Kicking Horse apart is that fact that you can explore these mountain tentacles that stretch out around the resort. The Horse has a lot of surprises waiting. Look for those little entrances, chutes and gullies that can take you into places you've only dreamed about. There are many secrets that lie in these ridge lines.

Sun Peaks

Drop your car keys and settle in for a stress-free snow-globe experience. Sun Peaks Mountain Resort includes three mountains for skiing and boarding, plus a a full-on ski-through village with a great selection of shopping, restaurants, café, galleries and premium accommodations.

SilverStar

Alpine and Nordic skiers will feel they've hit the motherlode here. SilverStar is a Nordic skiers dream, with kilometers of trails winding around the resort. For those more vertically inclined, ski until you’re happy or exhausted. The unique mid-village setting will make your feel like you’re during a winter wonderland.

Big White

Snowboarding at Big White
Photo: Dax Justin

Snow ghosts are what makes Big White famous. The unique formations of snow and ice encrusting the trees up around the summit provide an “alien” experience as you make your descent down and around its kilometres of trails. Your downhills are made more wonderful because you’re cruising your way down, overlooking the Okanagan valley and Kelowna below.

Apex

Wine and POW anyone? Apex is found deep within the Okanagan, so making a foray into Apex allows you to explore the terrain and more than 80 wineries, all within a 45-minute drive. Want to learn to how snowboard and how they make ice wine in the same weekend? You can do just that at Apex.

Whistler Blackcomb

It's a destination I have called Canada's Las Vegas for years. But it’s way better because the only gambling going on is which run to take next. With more than 200 marked runs and just about the same number of bars, restaurants and entertainment options in the village, one thing you will not do in this town is get bored. Learn more about Whistler here.

Mount Washington

Where else can you whale watch, surf and ski all in the same day? Not many ski resorts found on an island can offer just about any adventure you can dream up. Here, at Mount Washington, you get off a chairlift with the added bonus of seeing bald eagles flying overhead as you carve your way through some of its legendary snow, and see Pacific Ocean off in the distance.

For more about Ski BC experiences, head over to www.WinterWithin.ca

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