Published by the Boston Herald o November 28, 2017
Written by Cassidy Randall

When most skiers think of skiing in Canada's British Columbia, they think of Whistler Blackcomb, a famous staple of resort culture. As Whistler becomes increasingly popular though, it can get harder and harder to find an untracked line — or a true local experience as tourists flock to its storied runs.

For those who love skiing powder and who are ready to get away from the lift lines, it might be time for a trip along the legendary Powder Highway in B.C.’s interior.

If you enjoy mountains with plenty of varied terrain that regularly see dumps of famous B.C. powder, small-town atmospheres with authentic downtowns, and après drinks with the locals, plan your next trip around these less hyped-up gems.

Welcome to the five best small-town ski resorts on the Powder Highway.

Kicking Horse

Lift Ticket: $104.95
Vertical: 4133 ft

The Mountain

A spectacular drive over Rogers Pass from Revelstoke will bring powder hunters to Kicking Horse. This down-to-earth resort has enough beginner and intermediate terrain to satisfy families — but it’s known for its steep alpine terrain full of double black diamond bowls and chutes. Some of the bowls call for a bit of a hike to get to, but the advantage of the alpine is that you can see how to get to most things you’d want to ski — always a plus when exploring new resort. Keen skiers can’t leave without climbing the Stairway to Heaven, a literal wrought iron stairway at the end of the Stairway to Heaven Chair that leads to the Whitewall face and Feuz Bowl.

The Town

Golden is an unpretentious mountain town in every sense. It still feels like the railroad town of its roots, and has never pandered to tourists the way you’d expect a resort town to, keeping its die-hard local atmosphere. Head to the Wolf’s Den, a historic log building near the banks of the Kicking Horse River, for a gourmet burger and beer after a day of leg-burning descents on the mountain.

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