Activities & Tours
The region around
Whitewater Ski Resort and Nelson BC, Canada, is powder central. Not surprisingly most winter activities make the most of the abundant snow.
Ski Tours and Activities
Nordic ski trails are located at the Whitewater ski resort and start from the day lodge. The 15 kilometres of trails are suitable for beginner and intermediate skiers. The Mountain Learning Centre provides lessons if required. Nordic rates are very inexpensive per day or an adult season pass is just $75 (2010-11 rates not inclusive of GST). Cross-country ski rentals are available in Nelson at Gerick’s.
There are various mountaineering operators that provide backcountry tours in the Nelson area.
Summit Mountain Guides is one example who provides ski touring, avalanche skills training and ice climbing. Alternatively
Ymir Yurts provide ski touring accommodation in backcountry yurts. The packages have the options of being guided or self-guided, and catered or self-catered.
Cat Skiing Near Nelson BC
Cat skiing in the infamous Powder Triangle is legendary and there are various cat ski operations in the area.
Wildhorse Cat Skiing is one example, based in Ymir about 30 minutes from Nelson and 20 minutes from Whitewater ski resort. A quote from one of the female clients was “don’t wine and dine me, just take me powder skiing”, which pretty much sums up the operation. The single or multi-day packages are largely no frills and focus on what powderhounds want – great terrain and awesome powder. It’s fabulously wild.
Valhalla Powdercats is heaven for powder warriors and a place that proves that powderhounds and powdercats can in fact get along. The morning meeting spot for Valhalla Powdercats is in South Slocan, 20 minutes from Nelson. Valhalla cat skiing consists of single day trips but they also offer the week long Kootenay sampler that combines cat skiing with skiing at Red Mountain and heli skiing with Snowwater.
Retallack is another legendary cat skiing operation in the region. Based about an hour north of Nelson, Retallack provides multi-day packages that include accommodation, meals and the powder. They also offer day skiing on a standby arrangement. This is not cat skiing for the faint of heart!
Adventure Activities
Dog sledding is a great activity for the romantic, the adventure seeker, the family or anyone who wants a howling good time. Spirit of the North Kennels operates dog sledding tours out of Salmo, south of Nelson. The tours travel along 7km of beautiful groomed trails through woods, fields and along the Salmo River.
Leisure Activities
Go to the Visitor Information Centre (225 Hall Street, Nelson) and pick up a brochure for a self-guided heritage walking tour of Nelson. The walk explores the history of downtown Nelson and the buildings, including information on the architecture. Some of the hotels also stock these brochures as well as information on a driving tour of the area.
If you want to get high, a great way to see the area is with a scenic helicopter tour - try Range Helicopters or High Terrain Helicopters.
Relaxation
When skiing has worn you out, a visit to the
Ainsworth Hot Springs might be required to revitalize the body. The resort is about a 45 minute drive north of Nelson. Amidst the majestic scenery of the Purcell Mountain and Kootenay Lake it features three hot pools, a lounging pool and a stream-fed cold plunge pool. The hot springs are somewhat novel because parts of the hot pools are inside small caves.
If you’re in need of a day spa treatment, head to
Shalimar Health Spa at the Prestige Lakeside Resort, voted as Nelson’s number one health spa 7 years in a row. They offer hydrotherapy, facials, massages, and other treatments. The quality is great and the rates are very inexpensive as is typical of Nelson. As an example a 1 hour massage (relaxation, deep tissue, or shiatsu healing) is only $60, whilst a hot stone massage for 1 hour is just $75 (2010 rates).
A really economical option is available at
Essensia Spa at the Ymir Palace Inn (2503579586). As an example of rates, a hot stone massage for an hour is only $65 (2010 price) so it’s easy to justify the need to spoil yourself.
Another option is Mountain Waters Spa (205 Victoria St Nelson). They offer various massages and beauty treatments such as manicures and hair removal.
Events
Whitewater and Nelson host the annual Kootenay Cold Smoke Festival which celebrates backcountry skiing and boarding. The event includes education and equipment demos as well as plenty of fun.
Hosted / Guided Tours
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BC Powder Triangle Tour | 9 or 13 Days
Experience the some of BC's best powder skiing destinations including Fernie, Red Mountain & Whitewater (PLUS Kicking Horse for those on the 13 day tour).
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Cat Skiing Tours
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Selkirk Wilderness Skiing - Meadow Creek
Where cat skiing began in 1975. SWS has over 35 years to refine its operation to what it is today; nothing short of what could be the ultimate cat skiing adventure in the world!
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Wildhorse Cat Skiing - Very Affordable
Do the wild-thing and go cat skiing with Wildhorse - yeehaa!!! Located in Ymir only 20 minutes from Nelson. Alpine bowls and naturally gladed trees.; not to mention the dry & abundant Kootenay powder.
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Powder Safari | 4 Days Cat + 2 Days Resort
Can't decide whether to go out cat skiing with Big Red Cats or Valhalla Powdercats? Then do 2 days with each of them with this combined tour PLUS ski Red Mountain and/or Whitewater.
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Valhalla Cat Skiing - Big Terrain
Terrific terrain with alpine bowls, chutes, cliffs, drop-offs and some terrific gladed tree runs. Located near Nelson. Go for a day or book an entire week.
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Retallack Cat Skiing - Experts Only!
This is cat skiing for the hard-core experienced skier & boarder; intermediates need not apply! Very steep terrain & tight trees. However if you are up to it, the riding is awesome and the POW is deep; very deep!!
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Heli Skiing Tours
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Stellar Heliskiing | Meadow Creek BC Canada
A 5-star heliskiing experience in the remote Selkirk & Purcell ranges. Single days available but you will want to do at least 3 days here. This is heli skiing at its best!
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