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Ski Powder King, it's the King for a reason
Powder King, BC Here is a secret: ski Powder King on a Thursday. Why? Because they are closed Tuesday and Wednesday and if the snow gods are with you, an experience right out of a movie is waiting. One of the many reasons a trip to Powder King will quite possibly be the deepest ski or ride experience of your life.
This was certainly the case in early January where I literally overheard someone in a very short lift line say, "this is too much snow to ski!"
Opening after two days of being closed with 60 cms of fresh is certainly not an issue for many of the local legends who call Powder King their home Resort.
HIT PLAY > for all the reasons you need to ski Powder King
"I was here New Years Day 2022, standing at the base of this mountain and I see this little pink thing coming down the run," exclaims Travis Lodge, an Ontario transplant who now calls Mackenzie, BC, home.
"There was an adult behind, and I finally realized the colour was coming from the little girl's snorkel she was using to breathe as she plowed through the powder!"
Travis Lodge and Bill Laing dropping in on a nearly snorkel-deep day at PK in January 2026.
If you're based in the lower mainland, or in anywhere Southern BC, I can appreciate how you may think "why would I drive 10 hours North to rip Powder King?"
How about this: since mid-December to date (Jan 15, 2026) this #skinorthbc destination has received 150% of its usual snow fall.
"The snowpack we have now is the same as what it traditionally is in mid-March," says Powder King owner Hiedi Salisbury.
Discovering the King through a web search of "cheapest and best ski destinations to live in BC", after Lodge caught sight of the little girl with the pink snorkel, he and his wife moved to Mackenzie that same season and haven't looked back.
Lodge and his buddy Bill Laing explained to me over legendary Powder King donuts that there is little work that gets done on a Thursday living in Mackenzie (45 mins from the King).
This Thursday secret at Powder King, is the same for Troll when you #skinorthbc, they are closed Tuesday & Wednesdays as well… so Thursday is the day to ski or ride.
Photo:
Savannah Robinson
Doughnuts from the popular Cafe 97 at Azouzetta Lake Lodge, people drive from Prince George just to feast on (five mins from Powder King)
It won't take you more than a turn or two to validate why you made the trek— just watch the video above.
"I equate my days at Powder King to whether it felt like a $1,000 day or a $2,000 day. Was it a cat ski day or a heli-day experience?" explains longtime King skier Kevin Neary.
No $1,000 price tag here, rather a day ticket at Powder King will run you $109.
Photo:
Savannah Robinson
Local PK shredder Bill Laing disappears in a pow cloud.
"I know it's going to be an interesting day, when we get into the lounge at 11am on a Thursday and because it's such an epic pow day someone rings the bell," says Lodge, explaning that ringing the bell means someone is buying everyone in the bar a round.
"Now it's about figuring out who is going to drive home," explains Lodge.
Photo:
Savannah Robinson
When the bell rings at PK, it's time to celebrate another powder day.
After 30 years as a ski writer and over a dozen visits to the King, I can say with confidence that Powder King's community is like few others.
There is a reason ski friends made here are usually lifelong friends, because you've shared so many adventures together and here at Powder King, it's impossible not to instantly have connection with people.
Ski and ride northern BC powder dreams
Head to Powder King for a #skinorthbc epic
"You are here for the snow and it's to ski it; there isn't all the extra stuff like you might find in resorts in southern BC," says Lodge.
"You're in bed by 9pm, up first thing and in line with seven people cause that is what you do here—you are here to ski epic POW," explains Lodge.
Whether you get corralled in by the sound of the bell, or perhaps you are out with your snorkel, either way you'll want to stay a night or two given you might not be in any shape to drive, drunk on a state of WOW.
Exist between earth and space, go #skinorthbc at Powder King Mountain Resort.
When you go
Pulling together an epic #skinorthbc road trip together is easy.
Quick itinerary builder
- From Calgary, Kelowna or Vancouver you'd overnight in Quesnel, to then ski or ride Troll Mountain Resort first (whose terrain is doubling this season).
- Troll to Powder King is just under a four-hour drive. Powder King Resort offers a variety of accommodation options - including a hostel on mountain or stay five minutes down the road in your own cabin at their Azouzetta Lake Lodge.
Photo:
Ember Harper-Fedirko
A-frame chalets at Azouzetta Lake Lodge, five minutes from Powder King.
- You will not go hungry at Powder King; prepare to eat well. People drive from Prince George and across BC's north to score their donuts, their eggs benny or any of the offerings in their lounge.
Photo:
Ember Harper-Fedirko
Great food keeps you fuelled for big snow days.
- Time your visit for the end of March for the Northern Edge BC banked slalom, put on by local legend Bill Laing. For details, ride over to https://www.morata.ca/northern-edge-banked-slalom
#skinorthbc mapped out
Here's a map to help you plot your route.
Be sure & let us know what you find, include the hashtags #PKallday and #snowseekers in your posts so we might feature your discoveries.
