Record Snow and Plenty of Fun on the Slopes in British Columbia

Record Snow

The records are falling - snowfall records, that is. Post Christmas, the skies have opened and fresh powder has been the order of the day at virtually every ski area in the province. Whistler Blackcomb set a record for its snowiest month ever, and Mount Seymour has received over 500 centimeters (197 inches) so far this season. In the interior, base depths are well ahead of seasonal averages with Big White reporting 270 centimeters (106 inches), Sun Peaks registering a solid 170 centimeters (67 inches), Red Resort coming in at 270 centimeters, and Fernie Alpine Resort well over the 300-centimeter (118-inch) mark. After facing a couple of challenging seasons, Mount Washington has taken its place as one of BC’s snowfall leaders with a mid-mountain base of over 440 centimeters (173 inches). On a recent “Powder Thursday” at Mount Baldy in the south Thompson Okanagan, skiers and riders were treated to over 58 centimeters (23 inches) of fresh powder. And the best news is - the snowy weather shows no sign of letting up.

Biking in the Snow

Sun Peaks Resort, situated just north of Kamloops in the Thompson Okanagan, has joined the ranks of North American resorts offering snow biking on its slopes. For the second year in a row, Sun Peaks has rolled out its rental fleet of fifteen Brentner Snow Bikes for use on all runs serviced by the resort’s high-speed quads. If you need a diversion from plain old skiing or snowboarding - or simply want to take one of these bikes for a whirl - snow biking is even easier to learn than riding a two-wheeler. All first-timers must take a two-hour introductory lesson ($40) before renting. Lessons are offered at 1:30 pm daily, and bikes can be rented for either half a day (three hours, for $40) or a full day ($60). Snow bikers must be 42 inches (106 centimeters) in height, and helmets are recommended.

The 2006 Freestyle FIS World Cup Finals

If you think the Torino Olympics are exciting, you’ll enjoy the atmosphere at Apex Resort in mid-March when this intimate Okanagan ski village hosts the 2006 Freestyle FIS World Cup Finals. Hundreds of fans will be in attendance to watch this event and cheer on Canadian Olympic team favorites like multiple medal winner Jennifer Heil and the Thompson Okanagan’s Kristi Richards (who hails from nearby Summerland, BC, and has trained at Apex Resort). Kristi even boasts her own website where you can follow her progress as she competes at both the Olympics and on her home turf at Apex Resort. The 2006 Freestyle FIS World Cup Finals will be held from March 16 - 19, 2006.

Panorama Safari

April 7th – 9th marks the annual Sunpit Safari at Panorama Mountain Village - and this year celebrations will take on a whole new exuberance as 2006 marks the 20th anniversary of this Downhill Riders event. With a weekend that’s all about festivity and fun on the slopes, guests to the resort can take in plenty of activity with or without the skis and snowboards. Crowd favorites for the weekend include the annual Downhill Dummy Race (dummies constructed by teams will race to the finish in style) and the resort’s ever-entertaining Slush Cup (a large slush pit near the bottom of the Mile One Quad poses the challenge as daring - and often costumed - skiing contestants attempt to gather enough speed to clear the pit, without sinking in the slush). Spectators won’t be left out of the fun and are sure to feel the beat with rock ‘n’ roll themed flair including countless costumes (the more outlandish the better) as well as live music rising from the Great Hall Deck.

Article provided by Tourism British Columbia.

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