Exploring Whitewater Ski Resort: The Heart of British Columbia’s Deep Powder

A view of Ymir Peak towering over Whitewater | Image: Brett Ploss

Report from Sunday February 9, 2025

We arrived at Whitewater Ski Resort in the heart of British Columbia’s Selkirk Mountains, just outside the vibrant town of Nelson. Known for its deep snow, laid-back atmosphere, and world-class backcountry access, Whitewater has earned a reputation as a powder-seeker’s paradise.

Our host for the day was Ross Lake, a longtime local and mountain ambassador. Born in Nelson in 1949, Ross has been part of Whitewater’s story from the very beginning. His connection to the resort goes back to 1967 when he and a team from the local town hill ski patrol set up a weather station in the valley where the resort is currently located. While other locations had steeper terrain, Whitewater’s easy access via an existing logging road made it the perfect choice for development.

Five years later, in 1972, a group from the Silver King Ski Club raised the funds to build a ski lodge and the road leading up to the resort. By 1976, Whitewater officially opened with its first chairlift. The early years saw massive snowfalls—sometimes up to 20 feet in a season—but despite its incredible conditions, Whitewater remained a small, community-focused hill.

Snow covered trees dot the area which provides some of the best lift accessed tree skiing in British Columbia | Image: Brett Ploss

Ross shared stories of how Whitewater transitioned over the decades. Initially a non-profit club, the resort was privatized in 1984 when a group of ten local businesspeople took ownership. Around 30 years ago, Mike and Shelly Adams became sole owners, with Shelly making Whitewater famous for its exceptional on-mountain cuisine—so much so that she published multiple cookbooks dedicated to the resort’s food.

The Mushroom Burger and bGlory Bowl at Whitewater, one of Shelly’s creations and best bowls we’ve ever had | Image: Brett Ploss

In 2010, Whitewater changed hands again when a group of three Calgary-based businessmen, under the company Knee Deep Powder, took over. They understood the essence of the community and its unique identity—a place where passionate skiers and snowboarders seek deep powder and a friendly atmosphere. The transition kept the resort’s small-scale charm intact, ensuring it didn’t grow beyond what the local community wanted.

Current Conditions

The Ymir Climber, a famous ski touring race around Ymir Peak on it’s final day of the weekend | Image: Brett Ploss

We rode every lift with Ross, experiencing Whitewater from top to bottom. The newer Glory Ridge terrain stood out, offering perfectly spaced glades and wide-open bowls. The mountain’s potential, even with short hikes, is incredible—this is the kind of place that could keep the best freeriders in the world busy for a week.

Glory Ridge even features a slope that fits FIS downhill standards, showcasing the sheer variety of terrain Whitewater offers. For those willing to explore beyond the lifts, the resort’s easy access to the backcountry only adds to its allure. The combination of steep inbounds terrain, deep snow, and backcountry routes makes Whitewater a true skier’s mountain.

The Skiing

Terrain easily accessed by hiking, and favored by resort locals | Image: Brett Ploss

Whitewater’s terrain is legendary among advanced skiers. Originally not by design, the resort’s natural layout has resulted in one of North America’s most challenging inbounds ski areas. Roughly 35–40% of its terrain is rated double black diamond, with another 30% designated as black. Only 8% is beginner terrain, making it a destination for expert riders looking to test their skills.

What sets Whitewater apart, though, is its backcountry access. With ~1,300 skiable acres inbounds and tens of thousands more in easily accessed backcountry terrain with five access gates, it has become a haven for ski mountaineers. The resort sells hundreds of single-ride lift tickets daily to those heading beyond the resort boundary, and the surrounding Kootenay region boasts some of the best backcountry skiing in North America.

Ross, who has spent 14 years as a volunteer mountain host, described the resort’s evolution over time. From its early days as a small club-run ski area to a now-thriving winter destination, Whitewater has stayed true to its roots. Many who visit end up staying, drawn to Nelson’s tight-knit community and the unmatched skiing just beyond their doorstep.

Riblet Tramway Company & Whitewater’s Original Lift

Ross riding the Silver King Chair, the final remaining original Riblet Chair | Image: Brett Ploss

A key piece of Whitewater’s history is its connection to the Riblet Tramway Company, a mining tramway manufacturer that once played a major role in the region. Founded in 1898 with a head office in Nelson, Riblet built over 140 mining tramways in British Columbia, helping transport ore from remote mountainsides down to valley mills.

As the mining industry declined, Riblet transitioned into ski lift construction, designing lifts across North America. Whitewater installed two Riblet-built double chairlifts, one of which is still in operation today. The Summit Chair, a Riblet-Doppelmayr hybrid, remains a working testament to Whitewater’s history, providing access to some of the resort’s steepest and most challenging terrain.

The original Riblet office in Nelson still stands, a reminder of the deep connection between the ski industry and the area’s mining past. Though Riblet closed operations about a decade ago, its legacy lives on in ski resorts across North America—including Whitewater.

Looking Ahead

A view of the recently completed Raven Chair from the top of Summit Chair | Image: Brett Ploss

Whitewater is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, marking a half-century of deep snow and dedicated community support. In recent years, the resort has replaced two of its older lifts with modern European chairlifts, improving uphill capacity while maintaining its low-key vibe. Future expansion plans include real estate development in the valley, ensuring that Whitewater remains a sustainable, community-driven ski area for years to come.

Despite its growing reputation, Whitewater remains refreshingly simple—no condos, no high-speed quads, just incredible skiing and an authentic mountain experience. As Ross put it, “We want to stay with the fabric of the community.”

The Resort

Whitewater Ski Resort Trail Map | Image: Whitewater website

Whitewater Ski Resort is located just 20 minutes from Nelson, British Columbia, in the rugged Selkirk Mountains. Known for its deep, dry powder and extensive backcountry terrain, the resort features 1,300 acres of lift-serviced skiing, with an additional 10,000 acres of accessible terrain for ski touring.

Whitewater receives an average snowfall of 40 feet per season, making it one of the snowiest resorts in North America. Its four chairlifts access a mix of open bowls, tree runs, and steep chutes, catering primarily to advanced and expert skiers.

Despite its challenging terrain, Whitewater remains a community-focused ski area, attracting those who value deep snow, a friendly atmosphere, and a love for the outdoors.