First ski tracks, anyone? Why the locals live where they live
By Joanne Elves
While some of us dream of living at the base of a ski resort, there are the lucky ones that do. But they pay the price. Yep, they don’t get to do the morning crossword while sipping their third coffee. They don’t get to be the first one at the mall and they definitely don’t get the cost-saving pleasure of only tuning their skis every other year.
Instead, they are like bullets out the door already wearing winter gear and arriving at their favourite resort before the car even warmed up. Instead, they have to try to wipe that “I got first tracks” grin off their face – almost daily.
But that doesn’t mean we non-locals can’t live like a local – at least a few days each season. Here’s some inspiration to see just why those locals in British Columbia live where they do.
Where else in the world can you pair pillowy powder through gorgeous glades with locally crafted wine? From the top of Baldy Mountain Resort near Oliver, B.C, you are a 396-metre powdery black diamond ride down Rock Star and a 37-kilometre drive away from dozens of award-winning wineries where tasting rooms are open all winter long. Come springtime, you’ll be bringing golf clubs to make it a trifecta of fun.
Check out these stories that will make you want to hit up Baldy this season.
Where else in the world can you pair pillowy powder through gorgeous glades with locally crafted wine? From the top of Baldy Mountain Resort near Oliver, B.C, you are a 396-metre powdery black diamond ride down Rock Star and a 37-kilometre drive away from dozens of award-winning wineries where tasting rooms are open all winter long. Come springtime, you’ll be bringing golf clubs to make it a trifecta of fun.
Check out these stories that will make you want to hit up Baldy this season.
Wake up in the North Okanagan and flip a coin. SilverStar Mountain Resort or Big White Ski Resort? Heck, there are two days on every weekend – do both! Each resort offers a ton of stellar opportunities to ski and play. Both have those crazy snow ghosts, village atmosphere, and tons of bluebird days to chase powder.
Plan a day of skiing Okanagan champagne powder followed by sipping wine at a local winery.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is known to kick some serious …um….mule. Steep and deep chutes, bowls that trap every flake of powder falling abundantly from the sky and gosh, killer views of six national parks. Only moments from the resort is the host town of Golden where locals and tourists battle it out on Trivia Night at Golden Taps. You may walk in a tourist, but you’ll leave with either a list of runs to try tomorrow or a set of friends to take you there.
Troll Ski Resort has fresh cinnamon buns every day. Isn’t that a good enough reason to make the short drive from Quesnel? OK, you might just stay the day to burn off the sugar hit to enjoy the best skiing in the area. The Wildcat Glades are perfect for floating through for the adventure seekers. There are plenty of groomed runs to entertain the kids before they head in for hot chocolate by the enormous fireplace.
Our #SkiNorthBC expedition page will whet your appetite for the 2020/21 season.
Are you a “been there, done that” sort of person? You might want to add a trip to Murray Ridge Ski Area near Fort St. James to add “rode the longest T-bar in the world” to your list. Actually, spend time there or at Troll and you have ridden two of the longest T-bars in Canada. And just like Troll, the folks behind the counter, behind the shovel, driving the snow cat or operating the lift are locals who are passionate about sharing their powdery pocket of heaven.
Kimberley Ski Resort near Cranbrook may not boast the steepest and deepest terrain, but it’s got a bag of tricks that keeps the entire family happy for years. Loads of lessons for every ability to hone their skills, tons of terrain for boarders to play in and the largest gladed terrain in North America. Oh, don’t forget on weekends, there is night skiing to cap off the day. What’s not to love?
Can you imagine trying to sit through math class when you know the killer resort minutes from town got dumped on last night? With over 3,000 acres of terrain and 5,620 feet of vertical, Revelstoke Mountain Resort is the dream backyard for anyone who lives the dream. Lucky for us non-locals, there are plenty of pillows at the resort village and in town to flop onto at the end of a day. It is said if you ski top to bottom five times, you skied the height of Mount Everest. Let’s hope your thighs can handle it!
Get pumped for the season and keep up to date on our snow conditions page and by signing up for our newsletter.
Like Our Facebook Page
