How you can Ski the Powder Freeway in Canada

A number of the finest snowboarding in North America is discovered off an not easily seen two-lane highway in a lesser-visited nook of British Columbia. The aptly named Powder Freeway connects eight Canadian ski areas, every with its personal superlatives and charms, all set within the Kootenay Rockies.

“Deep snow, small mountain cities, and probably the most downhome, stash-laden, adventure-packed ski resorts in North America exist right here,” Heidi Korven, who works with Kootenay Rockies Tourism, shared in an e-mail interview with Journey + Leisure.

Every of the eight resorts has its specialty — be it numerous vertical, 40 toes of annual snowfall, or minimal elevate traces. You may ski all eight ski areas, a mission that Korven says takes no less than 10 days, or actually get to know two to 4 resorts on one journey. It is a completely choose-your-own-adventure getaway.

“One of the best ways to plan is to find out your entry level (i.e., Calgary, Vancouver, Kelowna, Spokane, or Kalispell), then create a route that most accurately fits your fashion,” stated Korven. 

For those who’re flying into Calgary, it is sensible to begin your journey at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden (plus, you will drive by means of Banff, residence to 3 further ski areas you’ll be able to go to en route). For those who’re flying into Spokane, Washington, you will wish to begin your ski journey at RED Mountain Resort, and should you’re flying into Kalispell, Montana, it is best to begin at Fernie Alpine Resort.

As Korven defined, you must start your planning by first figuring out your ski fashion. “Do you just like the steeps, timber, moguls, or groomers,” Kroven stated, including to additionally take into consideration “what’s necessary to you: ski in/ski out, luxurious vs price range? The enjoyment is which you can actually customise your Powder Freeway journey to fulfill your wants.”

For this text, we’re beginning our trek in Calgary and going counterclockwise across the Powder Freeway loop. And that journey begins at Kicking Horse.

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

For those who’re flying into Calgary, head west to Kicking Horse within the city of Golden. The drive takes round three hours, however you’ll be able to break it up by stopping at Banff Nationwide Park and snowboarding at one of many three native ski areas (often called SkiBig3). There are additionally each day shuttles between Calgary and Golden if you wish to sit in a passenger seat as a substitute.

The trek is nicely well worth the effort. Kicking Horse is nicknamed the “Champagne Powder Capital of Canada” and has among the most chute snowboarding in North America. The resort has over 3,400 acres of skiable terrain and 4,314 toes of vertical (one of many greatest positive factors in North America).

How you can Journey: Epic Cross holders can ski as much as seven days at Kicking Horse. Single-day elevate tickets begin at 126 CAD (round $90).

Revelstoke Mountain Resort

For those who like steep terrain, that is the spot to be. Revelstoke Mountain Resort boasts probably the most vertical in North America and has a rugged really feel with chutes and bowls up prime and beginner-friendly terrain close to the bottom. The city of Revelstoke is picturesque and charming, however powder hounds will wish to keep at Cabot Revelstoke, which is able to sit proper on the base of the ski space, when it opens in 2026.

Revelstoke is slightly below a two-hour drive west of Kicking Horse, however it will also be accessed by itself by flying into Kelowna Worldwide Airport (a two-and-a-half-hour drive). 

How you can Journey: Relying on their cross sort, Ikon Cross holders can ski for as much as seven days at Revelstoke. Single-day elevate tickets begin at 127 CAD (round $91).

RED Mountain Resort 

The four-hour drive between Revelstoke and RED is the biggest stretch you’ll come throughout on the Powder Freeway. So whenever you arrive at RED Mountain Resort, you’ll be rested and able to go. And that’s a superb factor since RED has round 3,850 acres of terrain and pay-per-run cat-skiing (20 CAD a experience) that may go away your legs burning.

You too can begin your Powder Freeway journey at RED by flying into Spokane, Washington, which is two-and-a-half hours from RED Mountain Resort.

How you can Journey: Ikon Cross holders can ski as much as seven days at RED relying on their cross sort. Single-day elevate tickets begin at 139 CAD (round $99).

Whitewater Ski Resort 

A day of snowboarding at Whitewater usually includes recent snow. The ski space claims round 40 toes of snow every year (that’s nearly 500 inches!) and just lately expanded its inbound terrain into the Ymir Bowl, bringing its complete inbound acreage to 1,367 (and three,247 skiable acres complete). Whitewater Ski Resort requires a little bit of an additional drive off the Powder Freeway loop, however the snow (and the funky metropolis of Nelson) is nicely well worth the drive.

How you can Journey: Single-day elevate tickets begin at 129.60 CAD (round $93).

Fernie Alpine Resort

The drive between Whitewater and Fernie Alpine Resort is round three-and-a-half hours by automotive, however you may also begin your Powder Freeway journey by flying into Kalispell, Montana, and making the two-hour drive north to Fernie (or flying into Calgary, which is simply over three hours by automotive).

Both approach, Fernie is a type of spots you gained’t wish to miss. The mountain is steep and has a reported 37 toes of snow yearly, on common. The mountain is exclusive in that it hosts 5 alpine bowls, and riders gained’t wish to miss a journey up the enduring Polar Peak chairlift, which offers ski entry to one of many highest peaks within the Lizard Vary.

How you can Journey: Epic Cross holders can ski as much as seven days at Fernie. Single-day elevate tickets begin at 126.65 CAD (round $90).

Kimberley Alpine Resort

For those who like huge mountains and car-free holidays, look no additional. Kimberley is surrounded by jagged peaks, and the car-free downtown space appears like a snow globe — with a quaint look and quiet environment. The ski space is thought for its mild powder and loads of solar. It additionally has numerous ski-in, ski-out lodging, which makes it a wonderful selection for households. Kimberley Alpine Resort is 90 minutes west of Fernie by automotive.

How you can Journey: Epic Cross holders can ski as much as seven days at Kimberley Alpine Resort. Single-day elevate tickets begin at 105.40 CAD (round $75).

Fairmont Sizzling Springs Resort

Fairmont Sizzling Springs Resort is by far the smallest ski space on the Powder Freeway, however should you’re touring with children or love sizzling springs, it’s nicely value a cease. The small ski space (simply 14 runs) is buffered by Canada’s largest pure mineral sizzling springs — the proper finish to a ski day. Fairmont Sizzling Springs is simply over one hour north of Kimberley on the Powder Freeway.

How you can Journey: Single-day elevate tickets begin at 72 CAD (round $51 — the very best deal on the Powder Freeway).

Panorama Mountain Resort

The drive between Fairmont Sizzling Springs and Panorama is fast at simply over half-hour by automotive — however the two resorts couldn’t be extra totally different. Whereas each are family-friendly and laid again, Panorama is a giant mountain with 4,265 toes of vertical and nearly 3,000 acres of skiable terrain.

The ski space is thought for its big on-mountain sizzling tubs, personal heliskiing, and walkable ski village. You too can attain Panorama Mountain Resort straight from Calgary alongside a supremely scenic drive that cuts by means of the mountains and takes slightly below three-and-a-half hours.

How you can Journey: Relying on their cross sort, Ikon Cross holders can ski for as much as seven days at Panorama. Single-day elevate tickets begin at 135.20 CAD (round $96).