The Playground of the North: Hudson Bay Mountain

There are over 150 cabins that make up Hudson Bay’s slope side “cabin colony”

Phil Bernier is a born and raised “Smithereen, who was attracted to city life in Calgary, while working with Alpine Canada. After 10 years of that, he’d reached his end and wanted to get back to his roots.

Ski to town, via the Rotary Club’s 4.2km run from the resort into Smithers

With easy access thanks to the Smithers Airport or a scenic 4-hour drive from Prince George, Krauskopf and Bernier have made this place their home for all the right reasons. Around here families, friends and snow seekers can shred the gnar and truly have their cake to eat too.

Hudson Bay’s layout includes variety of terrain that keeps you in the epic, and if you are lucky, you might even score an invite from the Graham family to come experience something legendary – the Shred Shack of Gnar!

“This place is bigger than us, it’s bigger than we’ve ever been,” explains Greg Graham, whose parents were the first to build a cabin over 30 years ago on the side of the ski hill. Hudson Bay is home to a very unique aspect of ski hill culture, the Cabin Colony – over 150 of them that are sprinkled across the slopes of the resort.

But Graham's cabin, the Shred Shack of Gnar (SSOG) – is something to be seen – whether it's the environmental aspect of being 100% solar powered or to get out for a ride on their personal Shred Shack of Gnar Ski Bus. The SSOG is equipped with a white board, and when we get into the beers and the creative juices start flowing (yes they have two local beers on tap at the shack) – the SSOGR&D (Shred Shack of Gnar Research and Development department) comes to life.

Ever heard of a ski bus?  An idea right from the Shack of Gnar’s R&D Department

The SSOG Ski Bus has gone from the white board to reality – and why wouldn’t someone want to strap six Greyhound seats to a metal base, link it to a snowmobile – and go for a rip…to the cheers of those passengers on the back. That would be us.

Locals Know – top tips on tackling Hudson Bay Mountain Resort

 

This is what you mean by “playful” skiing, right? ? @nochancenanc @snowseekers @rossignol @astismitts #anotherbestday #treeskiing #winterwonderland #mountaingirls #playgroundofthenorth @smithersglad

A post shared by Claire Challen (@clairechallen) on Jan 7, 2019 at 10:38am PST

From Claire Challen, Rossignol skier, SkiTV host and producer of Claire’s Ski Camps (something you or a gal you know may like intel on; http://peaktraining.ca).

Born and raised on the slopes of Hudson Bay Mountain Resort, since the age of two Challen crafted her ski stance at the #PlayGroundoftheNorth.  Here’s some of her top tips to taking on this stellar snow playground; 

You Gotta Ski Here – “At Hudson Bay, get out to the Ozone, it's steep and away from the “crowds” (locals here baulk on any given Saturday if the lift lines are more than three minutes)

You Can’t Miss this Event – The Schuss Boomer, a downhill event and après experience that will leave you different, 

You Gotta Apres Here – Sorry Claire, but I gotta answer this one and even though Hudson Bay Mountain Resort features the lively Whiskey Jack Lounge – awesome bands most weekends and Smithers Local brew on tap – how can you really beat “The Shred Shack of Gnar”.

If you are looking for a new playground to discover, pick a winner – go ski or ride at the #PLayGroundoftheNorth