February 16, 2018

Kootenay Coldsmoke Powder Festival

From February 23 to 25 Whitewater Ski Resort and the nearby city of Nelson will host the 12th annual Kootenay Coldsmoke Powder Festival. Locals and visitors alike will take part in the various activities, which range from on-hill competitions and backcountry clinics to evening presentations and, of course, plenty of aprés festivities.

The Kootenay Coldsmoke Powder Festival began as a grassroots gathering where mountain enthusiasts of all levels celebrated Kootenay mountain culture and general stoke for all forms of powder activities. That mission is still upheld today, which is why it’s the perfect event for skiers, snowboarders and winter lovers of all abilities. One of the most fun events at the Festival is the Sunday Poker Run, which sees pairs of competitors skin up to various checkpoints and then ski down to collect playing cards. The best hand wins but so do the best costumes and people have really upped their game in the past few years. In 2016 the best dressed prize went to Marley Bassett and Kellie Leedham who not only looked great dressed as old men (Larry and Barry), but they stayed in character all day. They won new sets of skis and set the bar for the following years. In 2017 the winners of the Best Costume prize were Nashira Birch and her husband Kevin Armstrong who dressed as the Yep Yep aliens from Sesame Street. We look forward to seeing the costumes this year.

The festival gets its name from the world-renowned snow of the region, which is so light and dry it’s like cold smoke. Add to that Whitewater Ski Resort’s incredible terrain and down-to-earth hospitality and all levels of skiers and boarders have the opportunity to have fun, learn, share, compete, and celebrate on-area and backcountry pursuits.

In addition to seasoned mountain veterans, Coldsmoke will please snow enthusiasts of all disciplines and ability level. Whether you’re a film festival enthusiast, on the dance floor competing for swag, enjoying a backcountry tour with an ACMG guide, on a clinic with some of the industry’s best coaches, hucking in one of the contests, racing randonnée, or frying an egg in the Backcountry Olympics, you’re sure to have a good time.