Go for the snow and no line-ups for lifts

Prince George, BC - Most ski resorts in North America get annual snowfalls in the area of 20 feet in a season. At northern BC's smaller but friendly, uncrowded and challenging ski areas, big snow dumps are common. But 51 feet in one season? Outrageous but true at Powder King Mountain Resort, 195km north of Prince George, BC.

"What else could we call it but Powder King?" asks Jim Salisbury, the resort's owner and operator. "It's light, dry Rocky Mountain powder, and it just keeps on falling, all winter long. We have more snow this year than at this time last year - and last year we had 51 feet."

Located in the beautiful Pine Pass, Powder King (powderking.com) has 1475 acres of terrain with 24 marked runs, 33 per cent novice, 37 per cent intermediate, and 30 per cent advanced. The vertical drop is 2500 feet. All services are offered, including accommodations in a 60-room hostel.  A new terrain park for snowboarders will be ready by end of December. Operating days are Thursday to Sunday, and holiday periods. 

Deep powder and no crowds are the attraction at Ski & Ride Smithers, located near the bustling, Bavarian-influenced town of Smithers. The area offers 300 acres of skiable terrain with 35 runs and a drop of nearly 2000 vertical feet, with plenty of white stuff great for carving powder turns.

"We had 26 feet of snow last year. If you piled it up, it would be as high as the lift towers. We're off to a great start this year too. We are blessed with consistent snow conditions.  You can book your holiday five years in advance, because you know exactly what the conditions here will be: excellent," says Borden Armstrong, Ski & Ride Smithers director of marketing.

The Ski & Ride Smithers "Ski and Stay" Packages offer an ideal way for two couples to check out the mountain. Packages include two nights accommodation for four people, two days of skiing or riding for four people, and appetizers in the lounge - all from just $324 CAD per couple. There are deals for families and kids too. For more information, visit skismithers.com.

Another northern BC ski area that records ridiculous amounts of snowfall annually is Shames Mountain (shamesmountain.com). Located 35 km west of Terrace in the spectacular Shames Valley, nestled in the majestic Coast Mountains, this relatively unknown (except to local skiers and riders) offers 28 runs, 252 acres of skiable terrain and 1600 feet of vertical.

Just 15 minutes east of Prince George is Tabor Mountain Ski Resort & Bike Park (tabormountain.com). It's perfect for a short jaunt from Prince George. Tabor Mountain offers an 800-foot vertical drop, 12 runs, and 180 acres of skiable terrain.

For more information on the incredible range of winter activities in northern BC, visit the Northern British Columbia Tourism Association web site at nbctourism.com or call 1-800-663-8843.

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