Snowwater Heli Skiing

The Snowwater lodge sits on 21 private acres nestled deep within the Kootenay Mountains. Only accommodating 12 guests at a time, skiers have the chance to meet lifelong friends within the quarters. With 6 double occupancy rooms, each with its own en suite bathroom and in-floor heating, comfort is a guarantee. High speed internet is available throughout the lodge, keeping you connected to modernity while being immersed in nature.

Snowwater focuses on fine dining, with a selection of organic ingredients and in-house smoked wild game. Any dietary requests can be accommodated. In addition, there is a wine cellar and the Snowwater bar is the place for drinks, games, and boisterous fun.

The main lodge has six double-occupancy rooms, each with an ensuite bathroom and in-floor heating. The limited capacity gives the lodge an intimate feel, with guests, guides, and staff getting to know one another over the course of the trip.

For those looking to step up the accommodations, Snowwater's Evergreen Spa includes four luxury King Suites available as an upgrade.

The Evergreen also houses a state-of-the-art hot tub, cold plunge pool, sauna, steam room, gym, and dedicated massage rooms. After several days of skiing powder, it's a serious recovery setup rather than simply another lodge amenity.

Snowwater puts similar effort into its food and wine program. The kitchen emphasizes fine dining, organic ingredients where possible, and specialties including in-house smoked wild game. Dietary requirements can also be accommodated.

The wine program is worth highlighting. Snowwater has been a repeat recipient of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, with a dedicated wine cellar complementing the lodge bar and dining experience.

Ski hard, recover in the spa, sit down to a great meal and a good bottle of wine. It's not a bad routine

If you've skied around Nelson, you already know why this part of British Columbia has such a loyal following.

Situated in the Kootenays, Snowwater has direct access to legendary “Kootenay powder.” Renowned for its light, fluffy nature, and ridiculous annual snowpack, there’s no question as to whether or not you’ll be skiing through some waist-high goods. Snowwater flies their A-Star helicopters in three main ranges: the Bonningtons, the Valkyrs, and the Valhallas. Even on a smaller scale with a 150,000-acre tenure, there are still endless glades and granite cliffs to explore.

There are much larger heli-ski tenures in British Columbia, but acreage alone doesn't tell the whole story. With only 12 heli-ski guests accessing Snowwater's terrain, 150,000 acres provides plenty of room to explore.

Expect classic BC variety: gladed tree skiing, open powder, alpine terrain, steep pitches, and the granite features that give these mountains so much character.

Guests ski in three groups of four, matched as closely as possible by ability and pace. You don't need to be an extreme skier, but you should be confident skiing or riding off-piste in powder and variable conditions.

For anyone wanting to get their ski legs underneath them before the trip, Whitewater Ski Resort outside Nelson and Red Mountain Resort in Rossland are both excellent options.

The 12 guests staying at the lodge are grouped into three groups of four, meaning you’ll be paired with others at a similar ability level. So long as you can ski confidently, you’ll do just fine here. Skiers can always warm up at nearby Whitewater Ski Resort the day before arrival.

Snowwater Heli Skiing combines small-group skiing and unlimited vertical to create one of the best all-inclusive packages found in the industry. Available in 3, 4, or 5-day sessions, skiers can expect the following with each booking:

• That format also makes Snowwater relatively easy to incorporate into a larger Kootenay ski vacation. A few resort days at Whitewater or Red Mountain can pair naturally with several days in the backcountry.

  Packages include many of the essentials you'd otherwise have to organize separately, including:

  • Unlimited vertical
  • Snowcat backup for no-fly days
  • Avalanche safety equipment, including an airbag backpack
  • Powder skis or snowboard
  • Lodge accommodations
  • Meals

  Unlimited Vertical & Snowcat Backup

  This is where Snowwater becomes particularly interesting from a skier's perspective.

  The heli-ski program includes unlimited vertical. When conditions are good and your group is moving well, there isn't a predetermined vertical allowance dictating when the day needs to end.

  The other major advantage is Snowwater's dedicated snowcat backup.

  Weather is always the wildcard on a heli-ski trip. Heavy snowfall can deliver incredible powder while simultaneously preventing a helicopter from flying. At Snowwater, a no-fly day doesn't necessarily mean sitting inside waiting for visibility to improve.

  The operation can transition to cat-accessed terrain and keep skiing.

  In a region known for excellent tree skiing during storms, we consider that a meaningful advantage. Unlimited vertical is great when the helicopter is flying; having another way into the mountains when it isn't can be just as important.

If you value a casual, friendly lodging experience and a ridiculously large number of runs, Snowwater is the operator to book with.