Stevens Pass, WA

Words / Donny O’Neill

A Seattle favorite, Stevens Pass is an easy 80-minute drive from the Emerald City. Stevens enjoys 460 inches of average annual snowfall, and skeptics worrying about “Cascade Concrete” should take note: The resort’s location allows for cold air to blow in from the east, making for light, dry, dreamy snow to blanket the slopes regularly.

On a pow day, find your way to the Seventh Heaven lift. This double chair deposits you atop several steep stashes, including runs like Rock Garden and Nancy Chute, as well as several hefty cliff bands—prime for going airborne. On the other side of the mountain lies the Double Diamond lift and Big Chief Bowl. The wide-open face is peppered with rocks and cliff drops just itching to be hit. Following a few laps on Double Diamond drop off the backside to Mill Valley for a righteous selection of comfortably spaced trees.

After all that shred-tacular action, you’ll have worked up quite the appetite. Stop into the Bull’s Tooth Pub & Eatery in the Granite Peaks Lodge for a wide selection of food and drink.

Fernie, BC

Words / Henrik Lampert

Fernie is a place full of rockin’, somewhat debaucherous character and top-notch skiing, too. Situated three hours from Calgary International Airport (by car) the resort boasts 2,500-plus acres of skiable terrain, 3,550 feet of vert, five alpine bowls and 142 runs. It’s steep, deep (up to 37 feet of snow in a season), free of nasty lift lines and ideal for those who seek variable, playful terrain.

When the flakes really fly, you’ll appreciate laps on the Timber Bowl chair in the early a.m. Keep an eye out for runs like Big Bang, Heartland and the Mitchy Chutes, where natural features litter the landscape. As patrol begins its systematic opening of the high alpine terrain, be prepared for the ropes to drop on the Currie Bowl. There, you’ll dig fast, open turns and even more of those natural hits. The day after a storm, seek out the gladed Snake Ridge, where pow stashes remain prime for days.

Come après, make for the Griz Bar, where you’ll hear tales of naked table-sliding from the “Califernians” — those who venture regularly from Calgary to the ski hill. A handful of bars in historic downtown Fernie keep the party rolling into the night. P.S. Mark your calendar for spring events including Griz Days and Hot Dog Day. Babes. Neon. Corn snow. Nuff said.

Kicking Horse, BC

Words / Henrik Lampert

Nine miles from historic Golden, BC, Kicking Horse is a must-visit resort for those with a hankering for steep, challenging terrain. The ski area is somewhat obstructed from view at first, but just wait until you unload the gondola on the mountain summit: Four massive cirques await, separated by three spectacular ridgelines.

You’ll enjoy 4,133 feet of vert (fourth most in North America) and 2,800-plus acres of skiable terrain, including beautiful basins, wide gullies, hefty cliffs and hair-raising couloirs. In fact, there are 85 inbounds chutes, more than any other resort in Canada—the challenging terrain will test even the hardest of rippers, like competitors who venture here for the famed 4-Star FWQ Wrangle the Chute contest.

Most of the runs at Kicking Horse funnel to the base and the central gondola, so prepare for some serious, well-earned leg burn. Taking this into consideration, believe us when we tell you this place breeds some remarkable talent. Just try to tail a local on a deep day—we bet you can’t keep up.

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