Winter
Discover the outdoors, where to start?
If we had to choose one thing about our beautiful Central Kootenays that really sets it apart from all the other great nature holiday destinations BC has to offer, it would be its ease of access to its still relatively unexploited backcountry wilderness. Literally, everything you can think of to spend a day in the outdoors is here to be done and you can be pretty sure you'll be enjoying it by yourself and without having gone through much trouble getting there in the first place. In other words, you experience the genuine sensation of "being out there" but with the convenience of an easy in-and-out and a comfortable place to return after the end of the day.
We gladly assist you with any rental gear you may need or point you in the right direction if you like to take care of things yourself. Kindly note that certain activities such as cat skiing or backcountry touring require reservations well in advance as spots fill up quickly even before the start of the season.
Here, in no particular order, we offer our top 10 of things to do, all within an hour's drive from your cabin:
• Alpine skiing
• Cross-country skiing
• Backcountry skiing
• Cat-skiing
• Heli-skiing
• Snowshoeing
• Ice skating
• Snowmobiling
• Ice fishing
• Eat, drink and sleep & leave the rest for another day!
Whitewater Ski Resort
Renowned for its impressive snowpack (annual snowfall of 40+ ft) as well as its laid-back and familial atmosphere, Whitewater is the go-to Resort for most of our guests. At a short 20m drive from door to door you'll find app. 1200 skiable acres and just over 2000ft of vertical to enjoy, serviced by 4 chair lifts and 1 handle tow.
A rental shop is on site to take care of all your gear needs and the Adventure Centre's extensive lesson and skiing/riding program is sure to cater to any level of skier seeking to improve their skills or is looking for some guiding off the groomers into untracked terrain.
We have once again partenered up with Whitewater Ski Resort for our ever popular Ski & Stay Package. For further details, check out the following links;
Ski & Stay | Whitewater Resort.
Read How to beat the traffic to Whitewater Ski Resort
Red Mountain Ski Resort
A bit further out but still very accessible at an hours drive (75km) you'll find Red Mountain Resort just outside of Rossland. Although its base sits a bit lower than Whitewater's and consequently its annual snowfall peaks out on average at 25ft (all things are relative...!), Red Mountain offers 110 runs with a vertical of just over 2900ft, all serviced by 7 lifts. In other words days of skiing without doing the same run twice.
As at Whitewater, the terrain offers plenty for any level of skier/boarder ranging from green cat tracks and mellow slopes for the beginner to serious double black diamond descents for the experts. A noteworthy extra; Red also offers an in-bounds pay-per-run cat skiing experience on a first come first served basis. More information available here.
Salmo Ski Hill
At only a 15min drive from your cabin, there's our local ski hill at the Salmo Ski Club. Operated entirely by volunteers, the hill offers 4 runs and 1120ft of vertical drop serviced by a short rope-tow and a T-bar lift. A fun way to spend a day or even a half day on a mountain slope and mix with the locals. Last but not least, a couple of days a week Salmo ski hill offers the only nearby opportunity for night skiing as well. Regular season starts on the 1st Monday of January and lasts as long as the snow does.
Salmo-Nelson Great Northern Trail
Right at our doorstep, the former railway track doubles as a classic cross-country trail during the winter months, running all the way from Salmo to Nelson, a good 40 km. The trail crosses our road twice, making for a nice scenic loop alongside the Salmo river (app. 8.5 km in all). Although there're no 'official' groomed tracks, the locals set their own if only as a convenient way to walk the dog. When lucky, you may spot a beaver along the way.
Nelson Nordic Ski Club
At 10 mins from our Lodge just opposite the turn-off to the Whitewater excess road the Nelson Nordic Ski Club maintains over 30km of trails groomed for both classic and skate skiing. Facilities include three warming huts, lights for night skiing on the 1.3 km "Night Loop" (open until 10 pm daily during ski season) and 9 different trails rated from beginner to expert.
Whitewater Ski Resort
Whitewater's Nordic Centre, located at 5400 ft just before entering the Base Lodge parking area, maintains 15km of groomed trails (classic & skate) in varied terrain. The 13 different trails cater to all different skill levels; 40% green (beginner), 30% blue (intermediate), and 30% black (expert). Lessons and equipment rental are available at the Adventure Centre.
Red Mountain
Black Jack Ski Club: 40 km of groomed trails both for classic and skate skiing. Lessons and equipment rental are available at the Resort's Base Lodge.
Castlegar
The Castlegar Nordic Ski Club located along the Paulson Pass from Castlegar to Christina Lake is home to 45km of packed and tracked ski trails ranging from beginner to advanced levels, with three shelters along the way. The Adjacent Nancy Green Provincial Park features ungroomed trails.
Backcountry Skiing
Read Discover the area, the Nordic Way
Staying at our Lodge you can choose to either head out by yourselves or with the aid of a professional and fully licensed ski/mountain guide. Unless you have extensive prior backcountry experience though we strongly recommend to opt for the latter, even more so if you're unfamiliar with the terrain.
In partnership with Summit Mountain Guides in Nelson, we offer different backcountry packages for one or more days of touring in our local area, including for those with advanced skiing skills but no prior backcountry experience who'd like to get a taste of the beautiful backcountry experience without having to worry about being safe.
Here we highlight three true classics as they're all within a half hour's distance from the Lodge. If you'd like to learn more feel free to contact us for details or visit BackcountrySkiingCanada (subscription required for detailed route info).
Whitewater
With its wide and varied selection of routes, some of the best lift assisted backcountry skiing anywhere and its truly relaxing atmosphere, we call Whitewater our backcountry adventure home.
Most routes are accessible with the aid of three chairlifts and a few more along the North side of the access road by skinning in. Before heading out always check in at the Day Lodge foyer to register and get the latest weather forecasts and avalanche condition reports.
There is no avalanche or ski patrol beyond the ski area and ease of access should not be confused with an easy touring day, you're still heading into backcountry terrain where all regular safety precautions apply. Please note that ski touring is not allowed within the ski area boundary during operating hours.
Kootenay Pass
Located at Stagleap provincial Park along the Salmo-Creston highway, the highest year-round mountain pass in BC at 5800ft, Kootenay Passattracts backcountry skiing fans from afar. Part of its popularity is due to its varied terrain offering something for any skill level. A day use shelter is located right beside the large parking area at the base. The terrain runs on both sides of the highway with most routes to be found at the South side. Easy access by car, a 40 min drive from your cabin to the staging area.
Bonnington Range
Closest to home located right across our property, the Bonnington range features some fantastic powder skiing terrain with 12 peaks over 7000ft, mountain lakes, creeks and (sub-) alpine meadows. Beware however, this is a true wilderness area with most of the terrain likely falling in the ATES Challenging category (Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale). With no cell service or other facilities, proper advance planning and good route finding skills are a must. Accessible by snowmobile or skinning only.
Baldface Valhalla
South Slocan - 40 min drive from your cabin.
With a massive terrain of over 20,000 acres (twice the size of Whistler Blackcomb combined!), you’re practically guaranteed to set your own tracks on any number of spectacular runs any given day. A typical day with Valhalla will get you 7 to 13 descents or 13,000 to 18,000ft of vertical. Maximum group size is 14 with two guides. Note that Baldface Valhalla only caters to advanced and expert skiers and riders. Further details on availability, rates & conditions can be found here.
Big Red Cats
Rossland - 1 hr drive from your cabin.
With 8 different mountains, over 500 named runs and 220km of snowcat roads, Big Red Cats can count itself among the largest cat-ski operators in the world. Plenty on offer for the advanced to über-expert skier to be sure, but for those less comfortable with cliff drops, steep runs or dense tree skiing a dedicated cat for intermediate level skiers runs on select dates also. Further details on availability, rates & conditions can be found here.
Heli Skiing
Kaslo - 1 hr 15 min drive from your cabin
For the ultimate backcountry and deep powder experience, heli-skiing sure is hard to beat. Stellar HeliSki gives you access to 80,000 acres covering both the Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges, unlimited vertical, bowls, peaks & trees and close to 60ft of snow every winter - in other words; a pretty epic day in the mountains you won't easily forget. Further details on availability, rates & conditions can be found here.
Beyond our property, the options are endless really. Venture out into the Bonnington mountain range right opposite us and head for Barrett or Lost Lake, take a short drive to Kootenay Pass and enjoy the views at Ripple Ridge Hut or, if these wilderness areas are testing the limits of your comfort zone a little too far, there're plenty of maintained snowshoe trails nearby too. Just let us know what you're looking for and we can suggest some options for you.
Read Why you'll want to explore the area on snowshoes
Ice Skating
The penultimate winter joy for many, our list wouldn't be complete without it.
Every winter season, Ymir's own volunteer Fire Station miraculously creates a small skating rink out of nothing in the centre of town right beside the bakery and post office. A great spot to meet our town folk or to put your hockey skills to the test at a Thursday's pick-up game. A second and bigger rink can be enjoyed in Salmo also, the choice is yours.
Thanks to the many forest and mining roads of times past, Ymir is home to an intricate network of sled trails leading deep into our backcountry. As we're no sledders ourselves we can not give you all the advice you need but we we're glad to hook you up to some of our neighbors who know the terrain as well as the back of their hand. Beyond our local hills there's hundreds of kilometers of groomed and many more ungroomed trails to explore in the wider Nelson / Kootenay Lake backcountry. The Sno-Goers Snowmobile Club and Main Jet in Nelson both have lots of information and experience on the area and can point you in the right direction.
Right at our doorstep there's the Salmo river. Cottonwood Lake (10 min drive towards Nelson) and Eerie Lake (15 minutes just passed Salmo towards Castlegar) are locally popular ice fishing spots only a little further away. 30 minutes out towards Fruitvale or Nelway will get you respectively to Champion and Rosebud Lake. Beyond, accessible either by sled or snowshoeiing, there're numerous isolated mountain lakes to explore. Book your cabin and put your catch straight on the bbq upon your return.
For any further information, questions or assistance on any of the above, please feel free to call us at +1.250.357.9290 or email us at info@logdenlodge.com.