Visited Mar 15-17, 2015. Warm rainstorm to top of their terrain preceded our arrival as well as a meager snowpack all winter. Owners should have closed down the operation and offered refunds or rainchecks.

First 2 days of cat skiing (heli did not fly) on dust-on-ice-crust in marginal terrain (stump and avi debris) then last day in Valhallas in nice powder, but only a half day due to the long shuttle for all the guests.

For our "unlimited" package we skied about 10k vertical in a helicopter over 3 days. Owners had no interest in discussing any fair adjustment.

Must say that the lodging and food and staff were top notch, however. I have skied at 7-8 heli operations in BC and all were superior to Snowwater. Go elsewhere if your priority is powder skiing, go to to Snowwater if your priority is nice food/lodging/firework show.
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Zero hyperbole in marketing and advertising info. Been twice - 6 day Kootenay Sampler '11 and last season ('13) 4-day. Absolute perfection.

Start with a group of folks as full of class as they are superbly efficient and competent as they are fun-loving and unpretentious. A superb group of owners, managers, guides, pilots, hospitality professionals, chefs. Everyone. To a man and woman. Patric and Maria's love, commitment and passion for the experience is truly shared by the entire staff.

The product? Oh lord. Terrain. Snow. Variety. Unmatched and unparalleled. Guided so professionally every hour. Every hour a new revelation. Yup. No bull.

Then to the Lodges? Yeah, clearly and obviously, where someone like me goes to heaven if the powers that be decide I've been good here on earth. A 24 hour experience like no other. Then get up...and do it all over again.

The first trip, I convinced my wife "bucket list." The 2nd time, she said, "bucket list only once b4 U die; u ain't dead yet." Went anyway.
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A group of us recently experienced Snowwater. We had a great time, the accommodations, food, guides (Josh, Kevin, Stephan, Christian) and staff were first class. Really first class. Skiing was very good - not much for steeps, and runs a little short, but the snow was excellent.

However, all of us were in agreement after we left that we would not return because of the way Patrick treated everyone. He had no interest in his guests. Was very arrogant, only wanted to tell you about himself, and never once asked anyone how they were doing, were they having a good time etc. His limp handshake and personal gestures only portrayed someone who wants to take your money and get you to leave. He seemed like he couldn't get you out quick enough. On the last day, when we all got to the bottom and were raving about the awesome day, all he could say was "give me your beacons". His wife's demeanor was not much better. I would not recommend Snowwater, and I believe I speak for our whole group.
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Personalized attention, excellent staff, meals are #1. The terrain, the pow and the guides are some of the best in the business. I am booked for trip 2.
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Each season my buddies and I venture north to the hippy town of Nelson, BC, which is in my book, the heart of powder skiing. This Snow Belt gets hammered each year with over 500 inches of some of the lightest, driest snow to be found anywhere. This is what the locals call, Kootenay “COLD SMOKE”.

Just a few klicks west of Nelson is home to Snowwater Heli Skiing. Here owners Patric Maloney and Maria Grant guide riders through impressive terrain via an A-Star Helicopter which seats 4 of your best friends. They also have a 12 person biodiesel snowcat for those extreme weather days.

Snowwaters tenure is over 150 thousand skiable acres and they play in three different ranges, the Selkirks, Bonnington and Valhalla mountain ranges. With big wide open bowls, steeps that will make a Billy goat cringe and some of the best tree skiing to be had it’s no wonder riders keep flocking back. The riding gets them here but it’s the hospitality that brings them back year after year! The place has an incredible vibe.

For starters the Timber frame lodge was built by Patric and a few of his friends back in 94. This powder sanctuary was just a dream when they built the lodge, but now Snowwater has come to fruition.

The main Timber frame lodge is the now the dining and lounging area and now there are two more large 4 bedroom cabins, Big Spruce which sleeps 8 and Little Spruce which sleeps 4. All lodges are heated by Radiant heat which makes walking on them a dream after a long day of skiing. If you just can’t get away from civilization there’s high speed wireless internet to keep you in touch. Most of my friends use this service not for keeping in touch with work, but to e-mail pictures from the days skiing just to make sure their buddies back home know exactly how much fun they're having.

With a FULL blown chef on staff you're going to experience some of the best gourmet meals you’ll ever encountered. PERIOD. Entrees like, Five Spice Green Tea smoked Duck or my personal favorite Bison Tenderloin wrapped with smoked Wild Boar. Make sure you leave room for dessert like a crowd favorite, Phyllo wrapped banana with homemade Madagascar Vanilla Ice cream. The food is definitely five star!

One of the biggest advantages to Snowwater Heli skiing is they guarantee you're going to ride everyday. If the weather is too bad for flying in the bird then Patric will get you loaded up into the Biodiesel snow cat for some of the sickest tree skiing you’ll ever experience. Being able to arc turns at full speed through old growth forests is something to behold. It’s recommended you’re an advanced skier and you’re in good physical shape. Be ready to charge hard all day long. Make sure you ask Patric about his favorite drink, the Stoplight.
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