Discover the Powder Highway
If spectacular views, oceans of champagne powder, and a huge variety of terrain are what you are looking for, look no further that BC’s Powder Highway. This is a collection of authentic rural Canadian ski resorts and one of the last uncovered winter destinations in North America.
“This is one of the last pristine jewels, that has yet to be overdeveloped” said Irene Barnes, sales representative for two developments in the area. “The beauty of the area is truly breathtaking, combined with the fact that the lift lineups a short in the winter, and you can get a tee time in the summer, makes this area a great choice.’
Located in the Kootenay Rockies region in southeast British Columbia, the Powder Highway has one of the world’s highest densities of snow-sports operations, with more than 60 along the 530-mile loop. There are eight alpine resorts and dozens of backcountry, heli and snowcat ski operators, along with other activities, from snowshoeing to dogsledding to snowmobiling.
This area has been destination for skiers from the Calgary area and Europe for years, but the Powder Highway has been mostly an untapped resource for U.S. skiers and boarders.
Delta’s new direct flight from Salt Lake City to Cranbrook should change that.
The service, offered by Delta, began Dec. 17 and will run through April 1, with roundtrip fares starting at $278. Instead of a four-hour drive from Calgary, the two-hour flight gives U.S. skiers direct access to the Powder Highway, starting with Kimberley Alpine Resort just up Highway 95A up to Revelstoke Mountain Resort on the loop’s northwest corner.
There are negotiations to extend the service to the summer, when visitors can take advantage of outdoor activities like golf (27 championship courses), fishing and kayaking.
“We’re really touting ourselves now as fly-in, fly-out, ski-in, ski-out because in western Canada that’s unheard of,” said Bob Dyrda, the manager of Tourism Kimberley. “You might be used to that in a place like Colorado, but here you often have to drive four hours once you fly in. Now, people are going to have access to some pretty wild country.”
Kimberley, just minutes from the Canadian Rockies International Airport, is home of the Kimberley Alpine Resort, and the incredible Timberstone Development. This condo complex is located right on the ski hill for true ski out your door convenience.
The hill offers numerous long, true fall-line runs of all levels; covered with light, dry interior-range powder. The front side is famous for its many miles of delightfully groomed trails. With over 1800 acres of ski terrain, moguls and glade area to choose from, this charming ski resort is an option hard to pass up.
The city of Kimberley has the look of a Bavarian alpine village, and is renowned for its consistency of quality snow and four-star family fun. The picturesque Trickle Creek Lodge provides the convenience of simple ski-in/ski-out residence ensuring an even longer ski day.
Unlike the wet, heavy snow of western B.C., the snow along the Powder Highway is dry and fluffy, creating pristine champagne powder. There’s a lot of it — most places average around 30 feet a year — so skiers can often find fresh powder three or four days after a big dump.
