Shames Mountain

http://www.powderhounds.com/site/DefaultSite/filesystem/images/Canada/ShamesMountain/Shames-01.jpg
Pic: Luke Perry
Pic: Luke Perry
Pic: Robin Cecioni
Pic: Robin Cecioni
Lovely side country chutes in the background
Lovely side country chutes in the background
The upper part of Shame Mountain ski area
The upper part of Shame Mountain ski area
Eye Candy indeed
Eye Candy indeed
Pic: Robert Weary
Pic: Robert Weary
Pic: Christian Theberge
Pic: Christian Theberge
Shames Mountain Ski Resort BC
Shames Mountain Ski Resort BC
Shames Mountain Canada
Shames Mountain Canada
Shames Mountain is a backcountry Mecca
Shames Mountain is a backcountry Mecca
Shames Mountain Ski Resort
Shames Mountain Ski Resort
Extensive sidecountry and backcountry
Extensive sidecountry and backcountry
The chair lift at the base
The chair lift at the base
Several runs are groomed
Several runs are groomed
Shame Mountain - extensive crowds!
Shame Mountain - extensive crowds!
The facilities are housed in two buildings at the base
The facilities are housed in two buildings at the base
Shames Mountain Northern BC
Shames Mountain Northern BC
Shames Mountain BC
Shames Mountain BC
Busy day at Shames Mtn
Busy day at Shames Mtn
Lots of fantastic sidecountry lines
Lots of fantastic sidecountry lines

Shames Mountain

Readers Ratings

Shames Mountain

Shames Mountain3.5/52
Shames Mountain3.5 out of 5 based on 2 reviews
  • Recommend
    100%
  • Would Revisit
    50%
The Shames Mountain Ski Resort is just a small little ski hill in northern BC, but it receives big snowfalls, and it is a gateway to some big sidecountry and backcountry skiing. Shames Mountain is ideal for a couple of warm up days prior to heli skiing with Northern Escape, Last Frontier or Skeena Heli Skiing or you could use it to come down from your ecstatic heli skiing experience! Or Terrace BC skiing is worthwhile as part of a road trip of the northern BC Powder Highway.

The nearby town of Terrace BC has a very small population, and considering it’s a huge jaunt for out-of-towners to head that far north, it comes as no great surprise that Shames Mountain doesn’t get crowds. It’s also no revelation that Shames Ski Resort has experienced some economic viability issues considering barely anyone goes there. Thankfully the Terrace locals came to the rescue and Shames is now funded under a non-profit co-op model.

Pros and Cons of Shames Mountain

Pros
  • Shames Ski Resort scores a lot of snowfall.
  • Shames Mountain is a lift accessed backcountry mecca.
  • The staff are sooooo friendly and the locals are not precious about others skiing or snowboarding in their backyard.
Cons
  • The in-bounds terrain is rather small and if there’s been no fresh snow, the in-bounds terrain would get boring rather quickly.
  • The lift infrastructure is very limited.
  • There is no accommodation on-mountain so a daily commute from Terrace is required.
Pro or Con Depending On Your Perspective
  • The ski resort isn’t open every day, which may make it a little difficult to fit Shames into your itinerary. It’s open Friday to Monday for December, January and March, and during February it’s also open on Thursdays.

Shames Mountain Ski and Snowboard Terrain

The Shames Mountain Ski Resort is below the treeline and is reasonably petite with only 28 runs, 102 hectares of skiable terrain, and 3 lifts: a slow double chair; a T-bar (which has short handles so it’s a bit hard to ride by yourself compared to most T-bars); and a tiny handle tow. The 488 metres of lift serviced vertical spreads from 1,189m at the top down to 700 metres at the base.

In addition to the handle tow at the base for novices, beginners have a few trails off the chair lift on which to learn. Several blue runs are generally groomed for intermediates, including a couple of trails with decent pitch that drop down the fall line. There is also generally a small terrain park.

For advanced riders, there are a handful of cut runs that typically don’t mogul up much considering the negligible skier traffic. Between the trails is some nice tree skiing for when the snow is reasonably fresh.

The main attraction of Shames Mountain Terrace is the terrain beyond the resort boundaries. The Dome is accessed from the T-bar with a 45 minute hike to the top, and then there are a huge number of steep lines to skiers’ left of the resort that all have egress into the drainage back into the resort. Out the other side of the ski area is a backcountry smorgasbord, with a combination of treed terrain and grand alpine slopes that offer some nice challenges. And if you’re mega fit, Super Bowl is considered the ultimate in Shames BC touring.

Shames Mountain Snow

Don’t expect lots of fine weather in the height of winter because it snows a lot at Shames, with an average of 12 metres (475 inches) of snow per season. Snowpack depth is usually not a problem!

The snow quality is very coastal so fresh is best and then the snow generally sets up hard. And the south to southeast aspect of many of the runs doesn’t help with the snow quality either.

Where is Shames Mountain Terrace?

The Terrace ski area of Shames Mountain is located 37km west of Terrace in northern British Columbia. The Shames Mountain Rd off Highway 16 (Trans-Canada/Yellowhead Highway) is about 13.5km long, and despite it being unpaved, the road is well maintained and the drive very pretty.

Terrace is about 1,360km northwest of Vancouver by road or a 2 hour flight. Direct flights from Vancouver to Terrace BC can be arranged with Air Canada or Westjet. You can look at flight options here.

The Shames Express runs between Terrace and Shames Mountain on weekends and holidays but you’ll probably want to have a rental car (especially if you’re on a road trip of the Northern Powder Highway).

Terrace Accommodation

There are a couple of Terrace hotels in “downtown” Terrace, whilst most of the lodgings are located on the outskirts of Terrace on Highway 16. The Terrace hotels provide very good value for money and there are also various motels if you want to save some more dough.

The Powderhounds stayed at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Terrace, which offered a high standard of accommodation. The Sandman Inn is also a popular choice for decent quality accommodation.

Terrace Hotel Listings

Ski Resort Facilities

It’s all reasonably no frills at Shames Mountain but very adequate considering it’s a day trippers ski area. The ski resort facilities and services are housed in two building at the base, and mostly inside the day lodge. Galloway’s Mountain Bar is a really friendly pub for some après ski festivities, or the deck is also a nice perching spot. The Panhandler Café offers reasonably typical self-service cafeteria fare at rock bottom prices. There are also amenities for brown baggers including a microwave.

Other facilities include ski and snowboard rentals, equipment repairs and tuning, a small ski school, and a family room.
Terrace Tour Listings

Heli Skiing Tours

Skeena Heliskiing - Bear Claw Lodge
6 Ski Days Heliskiing - Unlimited Vertical!
7 Nights Deluxe Accommodation
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
The Bear Claw Lodge offers unlimited vertical heli skiing & very exclusive, personal and high quality accommodation, located only 6 minutes by helicopter to your first run. The lodge caters to a maximum of 12 guests per week, with 2-3 groups of 4 guests.
Price p/p From price based on 7-night package twin/double-share regular season 2024.
Base/invoice currency is in CAD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 13,172
View Details
 
Northern Escape Classic Package
MIXED SMALL GROUP HELISKIING
North West BC | 3, 4, 5 & 7 Day Packages
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
The Classic package is offered in 3, 4, 5 or 7 day increments and you can join as a solo skier/boarder or small group. Twin/double lodging is provided at the Yellow Cedar Lodge with the option to upgrade to a single room. Option to upgrade to unlimited vertical. Share
Price p/p From price based on 3-day package (regular season 2023-24), twin/double-share room.
Base/invoice currency is in CAD ex taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 6,215
View Details
 Early bird special for 24/25 season - discounted prices listed
Ripley Creek Inn Packages
MULTI-DAY HELI SKIING PACKAGE
From 4 Nights / 4 Days Heli Skiing
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
Whether you are a solo traveler, a couple or group, heli skiing with Last Frontier will deliver memories that last a lifetime! The Ripley Creek Inn packages offer both mixed or private groups (4, 5 or 7 days). Packages include all meals & great Canadian hospitality.
Price p/p From price based on 4-day package in HIGH SEASON for 23-24 (Feb 12 - March 15), mixed group, twin/double-share (price per person)
Base/invoice currency is in CAD inc taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations
USD 7,652
View Details
 
See all Heli Skiing tours that visit Shames Mountain here

Cat Skiing Tours

Skeena Cat Skiing - Backcountry Basecamp
BASECAMP CATSKI PACKAGES
3 & 4 Days | Lodging in Backcountry Tents
Ability: Advanced to Expert
Looking for an amazing powder adventure with a difference? This amazing backcountry base camp package offers incredible snowcat accessed powder skiing with lodging in well equipped tents in the backcountry, quality meals + hot tub. 3 & 4 day package options. Easy access via helicopter.
Price p/p From price based on 3-day/3-night package twin-share in low season for 2024.
Base/invoice currency is in CAD ex taxes (5%).
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 2,886
View Details
 
See all Cat Skiing tours that visit Shames Mountain here
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