Powder Highway 2025

Recently, Mark and I went to Canada for our annual ski trip. This was our third time to B.C. for skiing, and we were headed back to Revelstoke with stops at three other resorts as well.  

We flew into Calgary and then drove to God knows where first, or last, or even in the middle because my short-term memory continues to be a major challenge- so I just now reached out to Mark and he set me straight: Kicking Horse was first followed by Revelstoke, Cat skiing in Rossland, Whitewater in Nelson, and we finished up at Fernie Alpine Resort.

We skied a total of 8 days and missed one day at Whitewater because of a remarkably long snaking line of cars creeping up the mountain waiting to get into the parking lot, which was still kilometers away; as well as the fact that we had forgotten to put gas in the car that morning and only realized it on the way up.

View from the top of Kicking Horse

We turned around with much swearing and frustration from Mark; drove back to town, got gas, and then tried again unsuccessfully to return because of what was still a long wait to enter the deeply congested and pearly gates of Whitewater. We did return there the next day, mostly refreshed and less agitated, and the skiing was damn good.

However, lest I confuse myself and/or others, we started our sojourn at Kicking Horse, which both Mark and I found to be remarkable, relatively good snow and lots of “out of bounds” areas with small and large cliffs with drops and tangles and angles- rugged terrain.

I had to stay sharp (and that isn’t easy these days) as Mark is a more skilled skier than I and I had to weigh out when and where I could follow his line without losing my shit.

Revelstoke - Gorgeous as always

Next came Revelstoke, one of my favorite places, as it seems to be one of the friendliest places on earth.  The people there seem to have a heavy mix of both gravitas and moxie, and a sensible, folksy mien. Memories of our first time there years ago are still strong in feeling, if not in actual memory- and the skiing was good.

Our next stop was Rossland for Cat skiing, which was both challenging and exhausting, and this was the first time for me to Cat ski ever. Wet, heavy, powder delighted me, and I felt God-like in such a pristine and wild place- I wanted to kiss the trees and eat the snow. I wanted to sing out loud and simultaneously wanted to cry for this new level of, get it, deep joy.

Cat Skiing

Next was Whitewater, as mentioned above, and then Fernie:  Oh, Fernie, we really loved ya! You were somehow both small and large to me in my mind, and perhaps because this was our last location, I remember you the best!

Of course, we had our down time in the hotels and hot tubs and talked it up a bit here and there with local folk and other tourists- all in all I would rate the journey and the skiing and the company with my ski buddy as a 96 out of 100 and would do it all over again next year if I’m still living and breathing. Let's hope so!

Check out more photos and videos of our trip here.