- Overview
- Snow Cams
- Lodging
- Terrain
- Statistics
- Getting There
- Lift Passes
- Snow School
- Activities
- Heli Skiing
- Shopping
- Trail Maps
Whitewater Ski Resort
If you are after a deep powder uncrowded in resort inbounds skiing and riding adventure, then Whitewater Ski Resort on the famed British Columbia’s Powder Highway will be one of your best opportunities this winter thanks to their 12 metres (40 feet) of annual snowfall.
Whitewater is located just outside Nelson BC and offers a vertical drop of 623 metres (2044 ft) and 1184 lift accessible acres of steeps, deeps, chutes, bowls and glades. The three lifts also give you access to some of the best backcountry skiing on the planet but be warned you need to know what you are doing, check in with the Snow Safety Patrol before you go and have all the right back country equipment.

There is a day loge but there is no on hill accommodation, so you stay in the nearby town of Nelson. Whitewater has a relaxed local vibe with no cell or wifi service at the resort, so a ski trip to Whitewater is a step back in time.

Whitewater Snow Cams
Whitewater Accommodation, Lodging & Hotel Options
Please note there is no on-mountain accommodation at Whitewater so guest stay in the town of Nelson, that is 22 km away with a daily shuttle service to and from the town of Nelson and Whitewater.
Whitewater Ski Resort Mountain & Terrain
Whitewater is an intermediate skier and rider to experts’ powder paradise. It’s a steep resort with every type of challenging terrain right at your fingertips. If you have a Gopro, it’s the kind of ski terrain that will push your limits and impress your friends with the amazing footage you can capture.

With 12 metres (40 ft) of annual snowfall, on a good day, and there are plenty of these, you will get to enjoy your share of powder. The ski area is serviced by three lifts offering over 1000 acres of terrain and a vertical drop of 623 metres (2044 ft).

If you get the chance, Whitewater is a must for every skier and rider who enjoys the conditions knee deep and deeper.



Whitewater Ski Resort Statistics
Skiable Terrain | 479ha / 1184 acres |
Vertical | 623m / 2044ft |
Top Elevation | 2045m / 6710ft |
Base Elevation | 1646m / 5400ft |
Average Snowfall | 12 metres / 1200 cm / 40 feet |
Intermediate Terrain | 32% |
Advanced Terrain | 58% |
Trails | 82 |
Winter lifts Total | 4 |
Chair Lifts | 3 |
Surface Lifts | 1 |
Season Opens | December |
Season Closes | April |
How To Get To Whitewater Ski Resort
As there is no accommodation on mountain so guests stay in Nelson.
Driving From Nelson
Whitewater Ski Resort is located 22km outside of the city of Nelson. Head south out of Nelson along Highway 6 (toward Salmo). Travel for approximately 12km until you see the sign for Whitewater Ski Resort. Turn left and head up the mountain for another 10km.
Daily Winter Shuttle From Nelson
Departure point | Early run | Late run |
Safeway | 8:05am | 9:05am |
Prestige Inn | 8:10am | 9:10am |
Prestige Lakeside | 8:15am | 9:15am |
WH2O Downtown | 8:20am | 9:20am |
Adventure Hotel | 8:25am | 9:25am |
Best Western | 8:30am | 9:30am |
Hume Hotel | 8:35am | 9:35am |
Alpine Inn & Suites | 8:40am | 9:40am |
RETURN | ||
Departs the Mountain | 3:00pm | 4:45pm |
Flying To Closest Airports
Canadian Rockies International Airport (Cranbrook, British Columbia) – direct flights to Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton.
West Kootenay Regional Airport (Castlegar, British Columbia) – flights to Vancouver and Calgary
Kelowna International Airport (Kelowna, British Columbia) – International airport offering flights to a variety of locations on Air Canada and WestJet, including direct to Toronto
Spokane International Airport (Spokane, WA, USA) – International Airport with an abundance of affordable flights
Driving distances
City | Driving Distance (km) | Driving Distance (mi) |
Castlegar | 44 | 27 |
Creston | 125 | 78 |
Cranbrook | 231 | 144 |
Spokane, WA | 240 | 149 |
Osoyoos | 262 | 163 |
Penticton | 323 | 201 |
Kelowna | 346 | 215 |
Kamloops | 459 | 285 |
Banff, AB | 509 | 316 |
Calgary, AB | 619 | 385 |
Vancouver | 661 | 411 |

Whitewater Lift Pass Options
Whitewater offers Adult (19-64), Youth (13-18), Junior (7-12) and Senior (65-74) pass pricing options and we have negotiated the very best rates for you.
Good news for Super Senior (75+) and Child (6 & under) as they ski for free.
There is also single ride backcountry pass that you can purchase at the ticket window.

Whitewater Snowsports & Ski School
Whitewater offers adult, kids & youth lessons from their all mountain seasoned ski instructor professionals who are patient and know the mountain like the back of their hands.


Whitewater Things to Do, Activities & Tours.
The main activities at Whitewater Ski Resort are skiing and riding along with exploring the backcountry.
Local Backcountry Guide Options Include
Kootenay Backcountry Guides
Kootenay Backcountry Guides specializes in guiding the Whitewater Ski Resort and Kootenay Pass backcountry. Their guides have logged decades exploring our local backcountry.
They offer Private Guided Trips, Group Guided Trips The Kootenay Combo and Avalanche Education.
610 Mill St, Nelson BC
kootenaybackcountryguides.com
+1 250-354-7233

Vertical Ventures
Vertical Ventures is a professional tour company with years of experience guiding travellers who want to explore British Columbia’s mountain ranges just like the locals do. We offer group shuttles, on resort guided experiences and road trips.We are happy to share our locals’ knowledge of where to ride, relax, eat and drink in Nelson. Allow us to make your vacation memorable!
1511 Vancouver St, Nelson BC
verticalventures.ca/
+ 1 250-551-5151
Whitewater Heli Skiing
Stellar Heliskiing is located an hour’s drive north of Whitewater and is based in Kaslo BC, with access to over 80,000 acres of untouched terrain in the epic Selkirk and Purcell mountain ranges. With over 18 meters of snow every winter and open bowls, high alpine peaks, and steep forests, we are sure all your powder dreams will be satisfied. The freedom to explore with unlimited vertical. Whether you are looking for a single day trip, a multi-day adventure or a custom private package.
Highway 31 Kaslo British Columbia
stellarheliskiing.com/
[email protected]


Nelson Restaurants, Bars & Night Life
The town of Nelson offers a collection of great restaurants, heritage pubs, art cafes and metro night life with authentic local tastes along downtown Nelson’s Baker Street. Restaurant options include:

Pitchfork Eatery
Cocktail Bars, French
518 Hall Street
+1 (250) 352-2744
Outer Clove Restaurant
International
536 Stanley Street
+1 (250) 354-1667
Rel-ish Bistro
Bistros
301 Baker Street
+1 (250) 352-5232
Loka
Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Greek
449 Baker Street
+1 (250) 352-0460
Yum Son
Vietnamese, Noodles, Chicken Wings
522 Victoria Street
+1 (778) 463-2234
Cantina del Centro
Mexican
561 Baker Street
+1 (250) 352-3737
Red Light Ramen Bar
Ramen, Bars, Music Venues
308 Herridge Lane
+1 (250) 352-0966
All Seasons Cafe
Canadian (New)
620 Herridge Lane
+1 (250) 352-0101
Kootenay Tamil Kitchen
Indian
660 Baker Street
+1 (778) 463-1008
Yellow Deli
Cafes, Canadian (New)
202 Vernon Street
+1 (250) 352-0325
Silver Root Taphouse
Gastropubs
198 Baker Street
+1 (778) 463-0050
Jackson’s Hole & Grill
Canadian (New), Bars, Fish & Chips
524 Vernon Street
+1 (250) 354-1919
Main Street Diner
Sandwiches, Salad, Seafood
616 Baker St
+1 (250) 354-4848
Sage Tapas & Wine Bar
705 Vernon Street
+1 (250) 352-5140
Torchlight Brewing
125 Hall Street
+1 (250) 352-0094
Louie’s Steakhouse & Lounge
American (Traditional)
616 Vernon Street
+1 (250) 352-5570
Marzano
Wine Bars, Italian, Pizza
153 Baker Street
+1 (250) 352-9205
Smokewood BBQ
Barbeque
301 Victoria Street
+1 (250) 352-0044
El Taco
Mexican
306 Victoria Street
+1 (250) 352-2060
Tandoori Indian Grill & Lounge
Indian
409 Kootenay Street
+1 (250) 352-5999
Sprout Plant Based Eatery
Vegan
569 Ward Street
+1 (778) 463-3366
Mediterranean 57 Pizza & Spaghetti House
Italian, Pizza, Mediterranean
413 Hall Street
+1 (250) 352-3573
Thor’s Pizza
Pizza
303 Victoria Street
+1 (250) 352-1212
Busaba Thai Cafe
Thai
524 Victoria St
+1 (250) 352-2185
Finley’s Irish Bar & Grill
Bars, Canadian (New), Burgers
705 Vernon Street
+1 (250) 352-5121
West Coast Grill
Canadian (New), Seafood
701 Lakeside Drive
+1 (778) 463-2236
Fishermans Market Seafood & Deli
Delis, Sandwiches, Seafood
577 Ward Street
+1 (250) 505-5515
The Enlightened Coconut
Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Vegan, Desserts
563 Ward Street
+1 (250) 800-7638
The Vienna Cafe
German, Cafes, Breakfast & Brunch
411 Kootenay Street
+1 (250) 354-4646
How Shang Shway Tea House
Tea Rooms, Vegetarian
112 Vernon Street
+1 (250) 352-5266
Whitewater & Nelson Shopping

Whitewater Retail Store
#1 Whitewater Road Nelson BC
+1 250.354.4944
Rivers, Oceans and Mountains Shop
639 Baker St
+1 (250) 354-2056
Village Ski Hut
367 Baker Street Nelson British Columbia
+1 250.352.6326
Gerick Cycle & Ski
702 Baker Street Nelson BC
+1 250-354-4622
Valhalla-Pure Outfitters
624 Baker St. Nelson B.C.
+1 250-354-1006
Whitewater Repair Shop
#1 Whitewater Road Nelson BC
+1 250.354.4944
Sacred Ride – Skis, Boards, & Bikes
213 Baker Street Nelson British Columbia
+1 250.354.3831
Whitewater Trail Maps
Explore Whitewater trail maps to find your ideal place to ride, cat


