Canadians are generally regarded as relaxed and friendly contemporaries, but even by Canadian standards, the people in the small town of Nelson seem particularly laid-back. Why be in a bad mood? After all, Whitewater is a great ski resort right nearby.
CMH Kootenays has its base in the middle of Nakusp, so if you take a trip to the town with its colorful freeride scene after heliskiing, there's a good chance you'll meet some really cool guys. And yet: a little further south, the relaxed lifestyle is perhaps celebrated a little more extensively, across all social classes and countries of origin.
We are talking about Nelson. With its stepped streets, the small town on Kootenay Lake is reminiscent of a mini version of San Francisco at first glance. Instead of the hustle and bustle of the big city, however, there is usually a deep serenity in southern British Columbia. This feeling is intensified when thick clouds of fog creep across the lake and, in addition to the Big Orange Bridge - BOB for short - also drown out most sounds.
The studios of numerous artists, who have made Nelson the "Number One Small Arts Town in Canada", also disappear in the gray haze. Many of the workshops are located directly on the shores of Kootenay Lake. Nelson is also a good place for musicians. Their hour strikes in the evening, when they heat up the atmosphere in the town's bars and clubs with live performances. The most popular venues include Mike's Place and the Spiritbar in the Hume Hotel. Fans of electronic music are particularly drawn to Bloom Nightclub. And in summer, the big Shambhala Festival a few kilometers away is one big party with world-class DJs from all over the world.
Martin Weber
In winter, skiing and snowboarding set the pace. Less than 20 minutes from Nelson, Whitewater Ski Resort is a stop on the legendary Powder Highway, which connects some of Canada's most exciting ski resorts as well as several heliski and catski areas.
"With its twelve meters of snow per season, Whitewater is a real dream for freeriders," writes the Canadian ski travel magazine SKI KANADA. And they can almost always find untracked corners to let off steam, as the area is anything but overcrowded. This can probably be explained above all by its somewhat remote location with no major airport nearby.
The conditions are excellent: average winter temperatures of just below zero degrees Celsius and dry, light snow make Whitewater the ideal playground for powder enthusiasts. The Canadian ski magazine Ski Canada has already recognized the area for the best deeps, bowls and glades. And the American Powder Magazine considers Ymir Peak to be "one of the best powder mountains on the continent". Thanks to its fair prices, the Whitewater Ski Resort is also very popular with families.
The terrain is served by just three lifts. A few beginner and pleasure runs are spread around the Silver King Chair, while the Glory Ridge has given experts access to several Black and Double Black Diamonds as well as the Backside Bowl since 2010.
The most famous run, however, is located directly below the Summit Chair. The steep "The Blast" is the stage for all those who want to present their skills to an expert audience: the guys and girls in the four-person chairs above the descent, who often give loud feedback on their performance on their way up. There is more time for an exchange of ideas later, when you mingle with the locals over a drink and discuss the finer points of a day at Whitewater Ski Resort.
Strong enough?
Not sure if you're strong enough for heliskiing? Get in touch with us. We're also happy to do a video check-up. We have been heliskiing with thousands of skiers and know all the areas. So we can assess with you where you will have the most fun in the powder!
