Back in April, the FREESKIER crew made our way up to the Great White North to explore five of the most iconic ski areas along British Columbia’s Powder Highway. But we didn’t go it alone—joined by The North Face athletes Tom Wallisch, Rob Heule and a group of hotshot Revelstoke-based ladies that call themselves “The Blondes,” we made our way from RED Mountain to Revelstoke over the course of a week, making sure to stop at Fernie, Panorama and Kicking Horse along the way. Over the course of seven days, we skied, ate, slept and admired the views of Canada’s Kootenay Rockies, documenting each stop with a precise itinerary. Now, we want you to take the trip for yourself—exactly how we did it last spring. Below, we’ve outlined every stop of the trip and we hope you use our agenda to plot your own route around the famed Powder Highway.
RED Mountain Resort
Red Mountain offers 360 degrees of terrain that’ll test any skier’s mettle. The ski area, located just north of Rossland—a mining-era town recognized as one of the first ski municipals in Canada—boasts over 2,600 acres of lift-served skiing with an additional 1,600 of hike-to terrain. The cherry on top is the Mt. Kirkup Cat Skiing, which charges a measly $10 per run to shred open bowls and top-notch trees.
WHERE TO GO IN ROSSLAND:
The Josie Hotel
Merging boutique accommodations with an authentic Rossland vibe, this is the place to shack up during your stay
Rafters Lounge
Experience après “Rossland style” with all-day bar fare, nightly specials and live music that’ll have your boots rockin’
The Velvet Restaurant
This restaurant and lounge offers locally-sourced dishes and top notch cocktails that’ll suit any skier’s palette
Rossland Beer Co.
At the only local brewery in Rossland, you’ll be treated to an array of Pale Ales, Lagers and Experimental Beers
Paradise Lodge
This on-hill lodge offers snacks and lunch options as well as a fully stocked bar
Alpine Grind Coffee
Freshly baked pastries, full lunch menu, coffee and espresso marks this coffeeshop as the best in town
Fernie Alpine Resort
Thanks to its complete lack of lift lines, the snow stays fresh at Fernie even days after the most recent storm. The resort’s terrain is defined by an incredible amount of natural features that allow skiers to get ultra-creative across five alpine bowls, 3,550 feet of vert, 2,500 skiable acres and 142 runs. We have a feeling you’ll want to come back before you even leave.
WHERE TO GO IN FERNIE:
The Griz Inn
Fernie’s only ski-in, ski-out accommodations offering an array of condo and hotel-style rooms
The Northern
Fernie’s biggest music venue also offers bar fare and TVs for watching the big game
Big Bang Bagels
Hands down, the best spot in town for brekky bagels and sandwiches, this spot gets a fat stamp of approval from the FREESKIER crew
Fernie Downtown
Established as a coal mining town in 1887, Fernie’s main drag is lined with historical buildings and modern shops
The Royal
One of Fernie’s best spots for nightlife, this boho-style bar features local acts and plenty of drink specials
The Griz Bar
Quintessential base area dining and bar service often features live music from the afternoon until evening
Fernie Distilliers
Sample small batch hand-crafted spirits in the custom tasting room, open regularly throughout the week
Ice Bar at Cirque
Taste a variety of vodkas at ultra low temperatures while rockin’ custom Helly Hansen parkas—pinky up!
Raging Elk Hostel
Home to one of the most happenin’ bars in town, this hostel features an array of rooms for individuals or groups
Panorama Mountain Resort
This under-the-radar resort doesn’t average quite the eye-popping snowfall totals as its Powder Highway brethren, but its terrain is still worth the effort to experience. Take Taynton Bowl, for example—its 750 acres of wide-open bowl skiing used to be part of a heli-skiing operation, but is now completely inbounds, patrolled terrain.
WHERE TO GO IN PANORAMA:
Restaurant ElevenFIFTY
The newest restaurant in the village, serving up homemade pasta and pizza with a variety of wine sourced locally from British Columbia
Summit Hut
Perched atop the Panorama Mountain, this pitstop is known for its grilled bratwursts, pirogies and “Ray’s Chili”
Radium Hot Springs
Located in Kootenay National Park, these natural hot springs offer the perfect respite following a day on the ski hill
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
The northernmost resort on The Powder Highway, the 2,800-acre Kicking Horse caters to those smitten with steep, challenging trails. Take your pick between four behemoth cirques, separated by three beastly ridgelines. While ascending the 4,133 feet of leg-burning vert, keep your eyes peeled for any one of the 85 inbounds chutes.
WHERE TO GO IN GOLDEN:
The Wolf’s Den
Get the steak and leave with a full belly at this top rated, country-style restaurant that offers uninhibited views of Golden’s stunning mountains
Double Back Cafe
Quick coffees, cappuccinos and breakfast items make this the spot to stop before heading up the Gondola
Glacier Mountaineer Lodge
In prime location at the base of the Golden Eagle Express Gondola offering comfortable suites with kitchens and private balconies
Eagle’s Eye
Lunch and dinner, served at 7,000 feet above sea level in a beautiful lodge, takes fine dining up a notch
Revelstoke Mountain Resort
You better have been keeping up with your leg exercises prior to visiting Revelstoke, because it boasts the most vertical—5,620 feet—of any resort in North America. The Stoke is also blessed with 400 inches of average annual snowfall, spread across its 3,121 acres of skiable terrain.
Sutton Place Hotel
A luxury, condominium-style hotel located in the heart of the resort’s main village
Mackenize Common Tavern
A classic mountain town restaurant with a focus on après cocktails, local beers and bar fare
Rockford Revelstoke
Asian-inspired wok dishes take the cake at this hip restaurant located in the Sutton Place Hotel
Peak Axe Throwing
Let loose at one of the most unique activities in Revelstoke, it’s only axe-throwing facility
La Baguette
A breakfast (or lunch) spot of choice for Revy locals, offering fresh croissants, wood-fired pizzas for lunch and local beers
River City Pub
With nightly drink specials and a stage for live music, this pub is your no-frills escape for cold beers and hot wings
