Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/252637
57 FEBRUARY 4 | bcliving.ca Y es, Whistler, Sun Peaks and Big White are go-tos for a reason, but with a wealth of legendary mountains to choose from, the following lesser-known ski destinations should be on your must-try powder list. Red Mountain, Rossland Tucked into B.C.'s Kootenay region along the "Powder High- way" – a group of ski resorts in the southeast corner of the province – this long-beloved ski resort (Canada's oldest) has gotten even better, boasting an additional 22 runs plus a new quad chair this winter. It's been called the last great unspoiled resort, which is ski bum for "tons of skiable acreage with no peeps!" as one devotee puts it. Traditionally known for fall- line tree skiing and challenging terrain, Red Mountain now has plenty of wide-open groomed runs for bunnies and interme- diates (stick to the Silverlode and Paradise areas). And you won't nd a better après-ski scene than in Ross- land, "Alpine City," where the legendary Rafters (voted "North America's Best Ski Area Bar" by Powder magazine) houses a shrine to the local Old Bastards Ski Club. And, with e New York Times rating Rossland as the eighth "Best Place in the World to Visit in 2013," you need to get there before everyone else. BY THE NUMBERS: 2,682 skiable acres; 890 metres of vertical drop; 110 runs; 7 lifts; 7.5 metres of annual snowfall; $72 for adult day ticket EXTRAS: Rockstar Energy Terrain Park; Grey Mountain Cat Skiing ($10/ride); snow- shoe loop STAY: Ski in/out accommoda- tions; Rossland is 10 minutes away redresort.com Whitewater, Nelson Whitewater has the highest base elevation of any ski resort in Canada (1,626 metres), which means some 12 metres of powder on aver- age. Powder magazine calls it "one of the best powder mountains on the continent." at mountain, Ymir, radiates runs in every direction – fall- line cut runs, glades, chutes, open bowls and groomers. ink steeps and deeps, plus unnamed stashes and back- country access for hardcore powder hounds. Plus, there are no crowds, despite just three lifts. MUSTSKI: Local pros' fave run, The Blast EXTRAS: 15 km of Nordic ski trails; 10 km of snowshoeing trails STAY: No slope-side accommo- dations, but Nelson is 15 minutes away skiwhitewater.com Apex Mountain, Penticton Just west of Penticton, Apex Mountain Resort is slightly smaller in skiable acreage and vertical drop than Red or Whitewater but makes up for it with fun terrain, from steep chutes to bump runs (includ- ing a World Cup mogul course). As one fan says, "It may be small, but it packs a wallop in terrain." Ski Canada Magazine even named it the "Best Small Destination Resort" in Canada. And for freestyle skiing – moguls, aerials, ski-cross – Apex is becoming a mecca. It boasts three terrain parks with a good mix of jumps, rails, boxes and the "Bus," a rideable feature that's, you guessed it, a school bus. After a full day of runs, head to the Gunbarrel Saloon, where the classic warm-up is the Gunbarrel co ee into which aming Grand Marnier is poured through a double- barrelled shotgun. MUSTSKI: For those who like moguls, try the K, or go nice and easy on the 5-km Grandfather's Trail, the longest scenic run BY THE NUMBERS: 1,112 skiable acres; 610 metres of vertical drop; 67 runs; 4 lifts; 6 metres of annual snowfall; $66 for adult day ticket EXTRAS: Orage Terrain Park, Claim Jumper Park and Crooked Park; Adventure Skating Loop; Tube Park STAY: Ski in/out accommoda- tions; Penticton is 30 minutes away apexresort.com Whitewater Eats! Then there's the rather upscale food scene. Refuel between runs at the resort's Fresh Tracks Café (daily specials pictured right), where gourmet granola fare includes bison burgers and the local favourite Glory Bowl, a skillet dish with brown rice, beets, carrots, almonds, spinach leaves and tofu that's dressed with a soy-garlic vinaigrette (there's now even a food truck and cookbook that features this dish, Whitewater Cooks). It's high season for bowls, bumps, big air, bunnies and maybe an après-ski brew or two. B.C. skiers and snowboarders enjoy the best of all these things – with a heaping side of sweet scenery, terrain and powder, especially if you go o the beaten track. by Barb Sligl Whitewater by the Numbers 1,184 acres of skiable terrain; 623 metres of vertical drop; 78 runs; 3 lifts; 12 metres of average annual snowfall; $68 for adult day ticket SUPPLIED (RED MOUNTAIN) FRANCOIS MARSEILLE p56-59_Feature-SkiDestinations.indd 57 2014-01-20 3:59 PM