Whitewater Ski Resort Review

The retro Whitewater Ski Resort (aka WH20) is a step back in time. Whitewater Canada near Nelson BC is simple and laid back, but real powder hounds don’t need anything more considering that Whitewater receives a whopping 12 metres of snowfall annually. Ski Whitewater – it’s nirvana for powder hounds! The best thing about the Whitewater Ski Resort is that you don’t have to share the fresh powder with the big crowds. Whitewater is predominantly 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 and whilst it’s starting to gain some notoriety, it’s likely that the mantra of the resort will remain “pure, simple and real….deep”. 

Pros & Cons of Whitewater Canada

Pros

• The Whitewater Ski Resort has amazing tree skiing.
• Whitewater collects lots of snow.
• If you like to earn your turns, there are plenty of good backcountry options accessible from the resort.
• Due to the amazing combo of terrain, snow and lack of crowds, we’ve rated Whitewater as the best ski resort in Canada for powder hounds.
• Whitewater has an incredibly friendly atmosphere and a lack of pretentiousness.
• WH2O has inexpensive lift tickets and ski school. Food and Nelson hotels are also very affordable.
• Nearby Nelson BC is an amazing ski town and it has lots of fabulous restaurants and bars.
• Nelson skiing includes the fantastic powder hound trio of cat skiing, heli skiing and resort skiing at Whitewater; more than enough to fuel your addiction for powder. Nelson BC certainly earns the right to be part of the Powder Highway. Actually it’s probably the capital of the Powder Highway!

Cons

• The terrain size is moderate so there’s not huge variety for the different ability levels.
• Whitewater and Nelson are a long way from a major airport. These distances are one of the reasons for the lack of crowds at Whitewater, which is of benefit to powder hounds prepared to make the trek.

Pro or Con Depending On Your Perspective

• There is negligible Whitewater accommodation on-mountain.
• There is no cell service.
• Everything is rather simple at Whitewater. It’s for real powder skiers and families who don’t need the frills associated with the big resorts.

Whitewater Ski and Snowboard Terrain

WH2O is not a massive ski area, with 529 hectares (1,307 acres) of lift accessible terrain, 4 lifts (and a handle tow), and a vertical drop of 641 metres. The official trail breakdown is 9% beginner, 29% intermediate, 53% advanced, and 9% expert, although in reality it feels like there’s an even greater bias towards challenging terrain.

The Whitewater ski area is an off-piste paradise that includes steeps, bowls, fabulous tree skiing, glades, and chutes. There are also gentle beginner areas, and groomed cruisers. White Water ski resort is also a gateway to an abundance of fabulous backcountry terrain.

Artificial snowmaking is definitely not part of the resort infrastructure at this Nelson ski resort, as Mother Nature ensures that it is not required.

Where is Whitewater Ski Resort?

Sitting on the Powder Highway of British Columbia, Whitewater Ski Resort sits beneath Ymir Mountain in the Selkirk Mountains, an area renowned for plentiful dry snow.

The Whitewater Resort is 15 minutes (19 km) southeast of the town of Nelson BC. The closest regional airport is Castlegar (unaffectionately known as Cancelgar!), and the closest major airport is Spokane (WA, USA) from which shuttle options are available.

Whitewater lends itself well to being part of a road trip of the Selkirk Powder Triangle, or the broader Powder Highway. Or you could just keep it local and supplement your Nelson trip with cat skiing and heli skiing.

Nelson BC

Nelson is a vibrant ski town but it’s a far cry from a glitzy resort town. Life is unhurried in Nelson, the culture is relaxed yet cosmopolitan, and there are plenty of great Nelson restaurants.

Nelson British Columbia has a mining history and is the heritage capital of BC. The town features many preserved buildings from the turn of the century, with the historic ambience being most evident on Baker St. The town is colourful, both literally and metaphorically. There are lots of “rainbow” and “organic” people that reside in Nelson and a strong alternative culture exists, although it is not as strong as it once was because the town has been gentrified. Nevertheless, Nelson still has an eclectic mix of boutiques, organic shops, hippie tea cafes, and adjunct therapies on offer. Nelson is also a vibrant arts community with local artists in residence.

Whitewater Accommodation in Nelson BC

There is negligible Whitewater accommodation on-mountain, but there are plenty of accommodation options in the town of Nelson only 19km away. One major plus is that Nelson BC hotels and other accommodations are very affordable.

Nelson Accommodation Listings

On-mountain are 10 RV sites, some with electrical hookups, and one 2 bedroom suite for 6 guests.

WH2O Ski Resort Facilities

In keeping with its no-frills status, the Whitewater resort facilities are a little limited but more than adequate. These are mostly contained within the day lodge and include a retail shop, ski school, and ski and snowboard rentals.

Upstairs in the day lodge is the Fresh Tracks Café serving up delicious meals that are many steps up from your average ski resort cafeteria food. The Freshies Coffee Bar has great coffee and yummy snacks, and the Coal Oil Johnny’s Pub serves up pub grub and après drinks.

Nelson Cat Skiing & Heli Skiing

Nelson BC skiing isn’t just about the Whitewater ski resort. Nelson is an epicentre of snowcat skiing, an activity that cashed up powder hounds find very addictive. The only limitation for the cat skiing is that you have to book it way in advance.

Big Red Cats are a very slick operation that cater well to a variety of ability levels because they take out multiple snowcats. BRC are based at Red Mountain, about an hour southwest of Nelson.

Retallack Cat Skiing is located about one hour north of Nelson. Retallack offers multi-day packages that include accommodation. Retallack is well suited to strong and fit skiers and riders.

Or if you want to take it even higher, head out heli skiing with Stellar Heli Skiing.