Whitewater
The retro Whitewater (aka WH20)Ski Resort is a step back in time. The ski resort is simple and laid back, but real powderhounds don’t need anything more considering it receives a whopping 13.5 metres of snowfall annually. This is powderhound nirvana.
The best thing about this resort is that you don’t have to share the fresh powder with any crowds. Whitewater is essentially a community ski resort. They don’t attempt to compete with the bigger resorts and prefer to retain their charm rather than trying to attract the crowds. Currently it’s a low profile resort, but it’s starting to gain some notoriety by winning various awards for the terrain and the powder. The new owners may develop the resort a little and put in some accommodation, but traditionalists and powderhounds need not fear. The mantra of the resort will remain “pure, simple and real….deep”.
Where is Whitewater Ski Resort?
Sitting within the Powder Triangle of British Columbia, Whitewater Ski Resort is in the Selkirk Mountains near Nelson, Canada. This area is renowned for the plentiful dry snow. Subsequently the region is also home to many
Canadian heliski and
BC catskiing operations that make the most of the Kootenay powder.
Ski and Snowboard Terrain
The main lift infrastructure at Whitewater consists of two slow double chairlifts that run up the ridges of Ymir bowl. No one seems to mind the slow pace of the chairlifts, as this keeps away the crowds. The
Whitewater ski 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 areas. There are also gentle beginner areas, groomed cruisers and a terrain park. Snowmaking is definitely not part of the resort infrastructure as Mother Nature ensures that it is not required.
Resort Facilities
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.
Accommodation
There is currently no accommodation on-hill at Whitewater, but there are various options for
accommodation in Nelson only 19km away. There is a daily shuttle service between Nelson and Whitewater.
Nelson
Nelson is a skiing town but it’s a far cry from a glitzy resort town. Life is unhurried in Nelson and the culture is relaxed yet cosmopolitan. It has a vibrant arts community, and many of the residents are artsy, colourful and very organic. The town features many preserved heritage buildings from the turn of the century, but the town is not old-fashioned.
Why Ski or Snowboard at Whitewater?
Whitewater might be simple, but it’s for the real powderhound who doesn’t need the frills associated with the big resorts. Families also love WH2O for the inexpensive lift tickets and ski school.
Food and
accommodation in Nelson is also very affordable.
The resort certainly earns the right to be part of the powder highway. It’s probably the capital of the area and considered by many aficionados to have the best skiing and snow conditions in North America.