Cranbrook: Your basecamp for adventure on the Powder Highway

A pizza feast at Perry's Pizza & Grill. 

Day 1

It’s a scenic drive to Cranbrook with wildlife galore. We’ve seen bald eagles, hawks, five herds of bighorn sheep, and countless deer. Between the highway’s wildlife detection system and driver’s flashing their headlights, we know when to slow down and can enjoy seeing the critters safely.

By the time we check in to our hotel, the sun is setting and our stomachs are grumbling. We walk over to the highly recommended Perry’s Pizza & Grill. Founded 32 years ago by Perry LeVoe and his wife, Sylvia, this boxing-themed eaterie is known for great pizza (try the Heavy Hitter with 13 toppings), homemade burgers (the 7-napkin burger is the local’s favorite), and hand-cut fries. As we tuck in to our pizza and steak salad, we notice a 1981 photo of Perry, newly crowned Middleweight Champion of Nevada. “That's what I did for ten years, ten young years,” Perry says with a smile. I feel like there are lots of stories here, but the dinner rush is starting, so we promise to come again.

With light snow falling, we head up the chairlift at Kimberley.

Day 2

Local’s tip: Get your caffeine fix at Kootenay Roasting Company before hitting the slopes.

Snow is falling as we drive to Kimberley and we’re stoked to ski some “Purcell Powder.” With a good mix of beginner to advanced terrain, and a community feel, Kimberley is a family-favourite. Short lift lines equal more time on the slopes, too! “Your lift tickets are good for night skiing, too,” the guest services staffer tells us. There’s night skiing Thursday to Saturday, Jan. 9 to March 7, 2020 until 8:30 p.m. (so if you take Friday afternoon off, you can ski Friday night). Did you know Kimberley has one of the longest illuminated runs in North America?

So much snow and the girls are loving it. 

From the top of the North Star Express, we feast our eyes upon the Rockies. The clouds are lifting, and the sun is peeking out. It’s never cloudy for long at B.C.’s sunniest ski resort! Sunny or cloudy, however, the resort is beautiful. My eldest daughter is already planning to do lots of tree skiing next time (Kimberley’s glades are pretty sweet).

The Rocky Mountains peek out of the mist as we head up the chairlift.

It's going to be an amazing day at Fernie Alpine Resort. Overnight 17 cms fell!

Day 3

After a good night’s sleep, we’re ready to ski some more; this time in Fernie. “There’s so much snow, Mom!” my youngest hollers as she glides and jumps through the snow. Fernie Alpine Resort got 17 centimetres (6.9 inches) of snow overnight and more is coming down - in buckets.

We shouldn’t be surprised as Fernie typically gets nine metres (30 feet) of the white stuff each season. With 142 runs, five huge alpine bowls, and endless chutes and glades, there’s plenty of terrain to explore - and freshies - for every skier and rider. The girls are all smiles until it’s time to leave. “Can we ski here again?” they plead. Absolutely!