Where’s Shangri-La? Does it even exist? That depends on how you define it. Most say it’s a hidden paradise high in the mountains, untouched by the outside world. Pure. Wild. Beautiful. But if you’re a skier or snowboarder, the definition changes a bit. You want deep, consistent snow. Zero crowds. And endless terrain to explore. By that definition, there’s only one place it could be… the Powder Highway.
What Is the Powder Highway? A Skier’s and Rider’s Dream Loop
The Powder Highway, located in southeastern British Columbia, is not a single road but a massive loop stretching roughly 700 miles through some of the most legendary terrain in North America. Tucked between Whistler and Banff, this region is home to the Bugaboos, Purcells, Kootenays, Monashees, and Selkirks. These mountain ranges receive some of the deepest and driest snow on the continent. It’s also the birthplace of heli-skiing. No matter how you like to get down the mountain, whether resort laps, backcountry touring, cat skiing, or heli drops, this place has it all. With 8 ski resorts, 10 heli ski operations, 14 cat skiing outfits, and 22 backcountry lodges, there is no better place to find your version of paradise.
How to Get There and Cross the Border Smoothly
With it being so massive, there are a few different gateways to get on the Powder Highway. Even though it’s entirely in Canada, the closest (and easiest) major airport is actually in the United States, Spokane International Airport. Spokane offers nonstop flights to more than 20 destinations, including major hubs like Dallas Fort Worth, Denver, and Chicago. From there, it’s about a 2.5 hour drive to the Canadian border.
While Canadian airports like Kelowna and Calgary may be geographically closer, weather systems along the storm track can often cause delays. For most visitors entering from the United States, it’s important to note that not all border crossings are open 24 hours a day.
There are two main options:
Nelway BC (CA-6) / Metaline Falls (US Hwy 31) WA Crossing – Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Paterson BC (CA-25) / Frontier WA (US Hwy 22) Crossing – Open 24 hours a day
Be sure to plan your route and timing accordingly.
Powder Highway’s Legendary Ski Resorts
Over the years, we have skied six of the eight resorts along the Powder Highway, and what impresses us most is their focus on expanding terrain, not just adding more lifts like many US resorts. And we’re not talking a few hundred acres, we’re talking thousands. Take RED Mountain for example. It has undergone three major expansions in less than a decade, launching it into the top ten largest ski areas in North America. Even with all this growth, each resort along the Powder Highway has managed to maintain its unique charm and authentic, down to earth vibe. And if that’s not enough, many of them also offer incredible backcountry access, with guides available to help you score fresh, untracked powder no matter when you visit.
Whitewater
81 marked runs, 1,184 skiable acres, 2,044 feet of vertical drop
Our experience at Whitewater Ski Resort
This is hands down one of our all-time favorite ski areas. From five-star lodge food to steep inbounds terrain, easy backcountry access, and over 40 feet of snowfall each year, Whitewater ski resort checks all the boxes. Add in the funky charm of Nelson, with its vibrant ski-town vibe and incredible dining scene, and it’s a clear winner in our book.
RED Mountain
119 marked runs, 3,850 skiable acres, 2,919 feet of vertical drop
Our experience at RED Mountain Ski Resort
Massive does not even begin to describe it. This place is snow sliding in its purest form, steep and deep, with tree runs of every variety and wide open groomers perfect for carving trenches. It’s so expansive that first timers should absolutely hop on the free snow host tour to get the lay of the land, otherwise you might miss most of the mountain without even realizing it.
Fernie
142 marked runs, 2,500 skiable acres, 3,550 feet of vertical drop
I can tell you from personal experience that when a big storm rolls in, this mountain delivers. The ridges, bowls, and trees offer the kind of steep pitches you crave when it gets deep. Of all the resorts we have skied, Fernie felt like it had the biggest alpine terrain. Even some of the out of bounds areas are accessible if you are prepared with the right gear.
That said, we haven’t ridden Kicking Horse yet, so the verdict is still out on how it compares.
Revelstoke
75 marked runs, 3,121 skiable acres, 5,620 feet of vertical drop
Our experience at Revelstoke Mountain
Endless runs that allow you to dart in and out of the woods. If you want to push the envelope, there are a lot of committing lines to pick from. And it’s one of the snowiest mountains on the Powder Highway. One caveat: Having the biggest vertical in North America isn’t always a good thing. With a base of 1,600 feet, although not as severe as Whistler, Revy’s huge elevation supports three different weather zones which could mean blower pow on top but drizzle at the bottom. Our friends and us have all experienced this.
Kicking Horse
120 marked runs, 3,486 skiable acres, 4,314 feet of vertical drop
Sitting on what used to be prime heli and cat skiing terrain, you already know this place is the real deal. For experts and advanced riders chasing big alpine lines, this is your mountain. Up high, marked trails are more like “suggestions,” but keep your eyes open because cliffs and gnarly terrain are never far away. That said, every lift still offers access to plenty of fun intermediate runs, especially in Bowl Over and Crystal Bowl. And thanks to its spot deep in the interior of British Columbia, it dodges the wetter weather that sometimes hits its southern BC neighbors.
Panorama
135 marked runs, 3,000 skiable acres, 4,265 feet of vertical drop
Our experience at Panorama
It kinda reminds us of Sun Valley, but with a bit more bite. Think fast lifts, perfect fall-line skiing, long groomers, and wide-open slopes where you can rack up serious vert before lunch. Sure, it catches some flack for not getting the same dumps as others on the list. But thanks to its location, colder temps, and mostly northwest facing terrain, the snow stays light, dry, and seriously fun to ride.
Panorama’s answer for powder hounds? A downright crazy deal on cat skiing. For 359 dollars a season one ride tickets are available too you get access to more than 750 acres of steep goodness in Taynton Bowl.
Kimberley
80 marked runs, 1,800 skiable acres, 2,464 feet of vertical drop
Of all the ski areas on this list, this one might just be the most family-friendly mountain on the Powder Highway. It’s easy to navigate, filled with mellow terrain, and sprinkled with just enough steeper runs to keep the rowdy moms and dads smiling. The vibe feels like a throwback to Colorado’s Front Range resorts of old — laid-back and full of charm. And with most international visitors making a beeline for the big-name spots like Revy and Kicking Horse, the powder here sticks around for days.
Fairmont Hot Springs
14 marked runs, 88 skiable acres, 1,000 feet of vertical drop
Not to be mistaken for Montana’s Fairmont Hot Springs, this ski area is not just about skiing but about the opportunity to combine some snow sliding with access to world class hot springs. Think of it as a family ski hill on steroids and a perfect place to try skiing for the first time.
Cat Skiing BC’s Backcountry
Look out from any resort along the Powder Highway and you’ll see endless mountains calling your name. For those ready to go beyond the ropes, cat skiing is the ultimate way to explore BC’s legendary backcountry.
These snowcats carry small groups deep into untouched terrain, where every run means fresh powder and pure bliss. Most operators along the Powder Highway are based out of remote lodges, giving you that full white glove experience paired with unreal turns.
If you’re planning a trip, book your cat skiing early as many outfits sell out as soon as the previous spring.
Just want a taste of the experience? Try a single day with Baldface Valhalla, Big Red Cats, Fernie Wilderness Adventures, or K3 Cat Ski.
Our map below highlights every cat ski operation along the Powder Highway so you can see exactly where the magic happens.
Baldface Lodge
If you’ve seen Red Bull’s All Natural or any of Travis Rice’s films, you already know that Baldface Lodge is the premier cat skiing and snowboarding destination. We spent four unforgettable days experiencing everything Baldface has to offer. Even after more than a decade, it still ranks as one of our all-time favorite adventures.
White Grizzly
This ain’t bumper bowling. The terrain is raw, the stakes are real, and you better bring your A-game. We had the chance to ride with White Grizzly, and trust us—it lives up to its name. White Grizzly is the apex predator of cat skiing: steep, deep, and unapologetically wild.
Take Flight for Fresh Tracks: Heli-Skiing BC
For powder hounds chasing endless fresh turns and as much vertical as their legs can handle, heli skiing is the ultimate ride. From our own experience, it’s not just the snow, terrain, or cozy lodge that makes it special—it’s the whole package. The thump of the rotors. The lift off. The drop into untouched powder. Nothing else compares.
Sure, this kind of adventure doesn’t come cheap, but there are options for every budget. CMH Purcell, RK Heli Ski, Eagle Pass Heli, Selkirk Tangiers, and Stellar all offer single-day experiences to give you a true taste of flight.
Our map below highlights every heli-skiing operation along the Powder Highway.
Backcountry Skiing & Lodges
While cat and heli ski operations have exclusive access to millions of acres along the Powder Highway, those who prefer to earn their turns have plenty of options too. Mountain passes like Rogers Pass, along with several ski resorts that feature open boundaries, make it easy to reach untouched alpine terrain under your own power.
If you still want that remote backcountry vibe but with a cozy bed waiting at the end of the day, check out one of the 22 plus backcountry lodges in the region. Many even include a helicopter flight that takes you straight to the lodge so you can access their exclusive terrain without the long approach.
Beyond the Turns: Exploring Life Along the Powder Highway
Beyond the incredible lineup of ski destinations, the Powder Highway is packed with things to do between turns. Each town along the route has its own unique character and local vibe, totally worth taking a day or two off the slopes to explore. These aren’t cookie cutter resort towns. They are real communities where the locals actually live, work, and play.
Grab a pint at Revelstoke’s legendary Village Idiot, catch an old school hockey game in Nelson, or swing by Ferraro Foods in Rossland, a grocery store that somehow caters to every diet under the sun. And don’t skip the natural hot springs along the way, like Ainsworth, perfect for soaking tired legs after a day in the powder.
When to Visit the Powder Highway: Timing Your Trip for the Best Snow
Like Japan, the Powder Highway’s prime months for snowfall and full operations are typically January and February. That said, we’ve visited the region in mid-March and still found some of the deepest turns of the season, at places like Red Mountain and Whitewater.
If you’re planning to go heli skiing or cat skiing and want to access alpine terrain, late season can be ideal. The snowpack tends to stabilize as winter progresses, opening up zones that aren’t safe during periods of heavy snowfall.
Lastly, even though the Powder Highway covers just 700 miles, storm patterns vary greatly across the region. Having a car gives you the flexibility to chase the best snow. For example, areas near the US border often follow similar Pacific Northwest storm tracks as resorts like Schweitzer and Big Mountain.
