Whitewater
Sitting within the Powder Triangle of British Columbia, Whitewater ski resort receives a whopping 13.5 metres of snowfall annually. The best thing about this resort is that you don’t have to share all the fresh powder with any crowds. Even though it’s currently a low profile resort, it’s starting to gain some notoriety, winning various awards for the terrain and the powder. Whitewater is laid back and simple. They don’t try to compete with the bigger resorts and prefer to retain their charm rather than trying to attract the crowds.
Whitewater Ski Resort in the Selkirk Mountains is near Nelson in southern BC, Canada. This area is renowned for the plentiful, dry snow, and subsequently the region is also home to many heliski and catskiing operations that make the most of the Kootenay powder.
The main lift infrastructure at Whitewater consists of two slow double chairlifts that run up the two ridges of Ymir bowl. No one seems to mind the slow pace of the chairlifts, as this keeps away the crowds so that powderhounds can have the terrain all to themselves. The terrain is an off-piste paradise with steeps, bowls, glades and chutes, and the resort attracts many backcountry skiers who tackle the out-of-bounds backside area. There are also gentle beginner areas and groomed cruisers. Snow making is definitely not part of the resort infrastructure as Mother Nature ensures that it is not required.
In keeping with its no-frills status, the resort facilities are limited but adequate. These are contained within the day lodge and include a cafeteria, rental shop, ski school and childcare facilities. There is no accommodation on-hill at Whitewater, but the town of Nelson is only 19km away, and there is a daily shuttle service between Nelson and Whitewater.
Whitewater might be simple, but it’s for the real powderhound who doesn’t need the frills associated with the big resorts. The resort certainly earns the right to be part of the powder highway – it’s probably the capital of the area. The Powderhounds are visiting Whitewater in early 2009 to determine whether the resort lives up to its reputation.