Powder Highway: A Ski.com Guide to the Ultimate Road Trip

If you’re searching for a ski adventure that goes beyond the ordinary, Canada’s famed Powder Highway should be at the top of your list. This legendary 630-mile loop winds through the heart of British Columbia’s snow-rich Kootenay Rockies, connecting a bucket-list lineup of resorts – Revelstoke (Ikon Pass), Kicking Horse (Epic Pass), Panorama (Ikon Pass), Kimberley (Epic Pass), Fernie (Epic Pass), Whitewater and Red Mountain (Ikon Pass) – plus dozens of cat- and heli-skiing operations in between.

What sets the Powder Highway apart from other ski destinations? For starters, it’s one of the snowiest regions in North America, with consistent storms delivering light, dry powder all season long. On top of that, each stop offers a distinct vibe, from Revelstoke’s massive vertical and epic tree runs to Whitewater’s laid-back, retro charm and soul-stirring terrain. The region is uncrowded, affordable, and refreshingly genuine, offering a ski culture that feels rooted, welcoming and real.

Related Reading: Epic Pass vs Ikon Pass

Many skiers choose to settle in at one resort and explore nearby areas with day trips, while others embrace the full road-trip spirit and tackle the Powder Highway in its entirety. If you're up for the adventure, give yourself at least two weeks to experience the full loop. Along the way, you’ll discover deep snow, jaw-dropping scenery and some of the best lift-accessed and backcountry terrain in the world.

Whether you follow the full itinerary or cherry-pick your favorite stops, one thing’s for sure: skiing the Powder Highway is a winter experience you’ll never forget, and often at a better value than many U.S. resorts, thanks to favorable exchange rates and lower lift and lodging costs. Our Mountain Travel Experts have crafted a dream itinerary for the ultimate Powder Highway road trip, designed to help you make the most of every snowy mile.

The Ultimate Powder Highway Road Trip

1. Spokane International Airport
2. Red Mountain Resort
3. Whitewater Mountain Resort
4. Kimberley Alpine Resort
5. Fernie Alpine Resort
6. Panorama Mountain Resort
7. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
8. Revelstoke Mountain Resort
9. Drive back to Spokane 

1. Fly into Spokane International Airport, Washington

Spokane is the perfect place to start your Powder Highway ski trip. Located just 92 miles from the Canadian border, Spokane International Airport offers non-stop service from 20 major U.S. cities via 8 domestic airlines, making it a convenient gateway no matter where you're coming from. The airport also features 8 on-site rental car providers, including Hertz and Avis. We recommend reserving your vehicle in advance to ensure you get a winter-ready ride for the journey ahead. Need help booking flights or a rental car? Chat with a Mountain Travel Expert today – we’ll make it easy.

2. Drive to Red Mountain – Home of the world's largest cat-skiing operation

From Spokane, your Powder Highway journey officially begins with a scenic 2.5-hour drive north along US-395. As you approach the Canadian border, the jagged peaks of the Kootenay Rockies begin to rise on the horizon, welcoming you to one of North America's best-kept ski secrets: Red Mountain Resort. Boasting a 2,912-foot vertical drop and 3,850 acres of uncrowded, fall-line terrain spread across four distinct peaks (Red, Granite, Grey and Mount Kirkup), Red delivers the goods for skiers and riders looking for deep snow, minimal lift lines and a raw, authentic ski experience. But Red’s true claim to fame is its proximity to Big Red Cats, the world’s largest cat-skiing operation, with a powder-filled 20,000-acre tenure.

Kick off your trip with a bang and book a day (or two) with Big Red Cats. And cat-skiing isn’t just for the elites anymore – this outfit proudly offers guided trips for all abilities, making the backcountry more accessible than ever. It’s one of the few cat-skiing operators in B.C. to cater to different skill levels, so don’t let hesitation hold you back. Connect with a Mountain Travel Expert today and they’ll do all the heavy lifting to plan your perfect trip.

Where to ski: For insider tips on hidden stashes and the best lunch spots, take advantage of Red’s free Snow Hosts program, led by passionate locals who love sharing their mountain. And for powder hounds, the trees accessed via the Powder Fields Traverse are hard to beat.

Where to stay: Located slopeside in charming Rossland, The Josie Hotel offers modern luxury with thoughtful mountain-town character. Guests enjoy ski valet service, an in-house sauna and wellness center and walkable access to Red’s base area. Step inside and you’ll see why The Josie is consistently ranked among Canada’s best boutique ski hotels.

3. Drive to Whitewater for some seriously deep snow

The next playground on your Powder Highway adventure: Whitewater Ski Resort. Just an hour’s scenic drive northeast from Red via Route 22 and 3A, Whitewater is right outside the mountain town of Nelson, B.C., a historic mining hub turned ski haven that National Geographic recently named one of North America’s Best Ski Towns.

Whitewater is the definition of laid-back, uncrowded skiing. Averaging nearly 462 inches of snowfall annually, this powder magnet is known for its deep snow, playful terrain and no-frills vibe. The resort features a 2,000-foot vertical drop and 1,320 acres of natural, ungroomed terrain and some of the best sidecountry and backcountry access in British Columbia. Get ready to discover why Powder Magazine calls Whitewater “one of the best powder mountains on the continent.” Off the slopes, Nelson rounds out the experience with hot springs, more than 40 restaurants and a welcoming après scene that feels refreshingly real.

Where to ski: Avid skiers will enjoy the pristine black diamond glades located skier’s left off the Glory Ridge chairlift. Summit Side is another challenge seekers’ paradise with plenty more glades, steeps and cliffs. Pro tip: Fat powder skis are an absolute must because more often than not, it’s snowing.

Where to stay: One of Nelson's most charming establishments, The Prestige Inn, is modeled in the traditional style of the French countryside and features its own in-house restaurant and ski valet.

4. Head to Kimberley for Bavarian ambiance and incredible tree skiing

Next up: Kimberley Alpine Resort, a 3.5-hour drive north via the Powder Highway’s main artery, Route 95A. Tucked into British Columbia’s scenic Purcell Mountains, Kimberley is a true hidden gem, renowned for its light, dry “Purcell powder” and comfy, crowd-free vibe. Formerly a mining town with deep Bavarian roots, Kimberley blends alpine charm with classic mountain culture. You’ll feel it in the ski-in ski-out base village and throughout downtown Kimberley, where timbered architecture, snug cafés and German-influenced shops create a warm, festive atmosphere.

On the slopes, Kimberley is the most family-friendly stop on the Powder Highway, with 20% of its terrain dedicated to beginners and plenty of wide-open runs perfect for learning. The mellow vibe and minimal lift lines make it an ideal place for kids and first-timers to build confidence. Off the mountain, Kimberley shines with smile-worthy winter activities, including dog sledding, tubing, snowshoeing, mine tours, ice skating and evening kids’ events that keep the fun going long after the lifts stop spinning.

Where to ski: Kimberley is home to British Columbia's best tree skiing: the Black Forest. The resort’s night skiing is also worth checking out, available Thursday through Saturday until 8:30 p.m. on the resort's main thoroughfare.

Where to stay: The new ski-in ski-out Trickle Creek Lodge is the place to be in Kimberley. Thoughtfully built, the rooms come with warm in-room fireplaces and the lodge features a skier's breakfast cafe conveniently situated near the ski room, which leads right out to the slopes.

5. Visit Fernie for sunny, powder-filled bowl skiing

Fernie Alpine Resort is a short 1.5-hour drive off the main 95 A route, but well worth the detour. Famed for its mild weather and steep and deep skiing, Fernie's 2,500-plus acres of terrain includes five powder-filled bowls and an impressive 2,800-plus-foot vertical. The resort boasts the most ski runs in the Canadian Rockies as well as some seriously fun glades and ridges. Fernie is another family favorite, where parents can relax knowing the little ones are in good hands at ski school or having a blast at the Griz Kids Centre. While the kids learn and play, adults can sneak in some fresh tracks or unwind with a well-earned treatment at the luxurious Névé Spa.

Where to ski: The Polar Peak lift—installed in 2011—propels skiers to a 7,800-foot summit and provides access to a bowl chock-full of expansive steeps.

Where to stay: Providing convenient ski-in ski-out access to the Elk Quad chairlift, Lizard Creek Lodge offers a spectacular outdoor pool and spa, four-star dining, health spa, conference facilities and pre-arrival grocery shopping.

6. Drive to Panorama for big vertical descents

For your next Powder Highway stop, head back on Route 3 to 95 N and enjoy the picturesque three-hour drive to Panorama Mountain Resort. Here you'll be greeted with an impressive 4,000-vertical-foot descent and some of Canada's best below-tree-line skiing and longest fall-line cruisers. If you've been waiting for your chance to go cat-skiing, this is it. Panorama is home to the Monster X Snowcats, which shuttle riders to untouched Purcell powder Thursday to Sunday mornings, conditions permitting. Our Mountain Travel Experts can tell you firsthand: we’ve never had a bad day cat-skiing at Panorama. Connect with an expert to line up all the details.

Where to ski: The Monster X Snowcat carries advanced skiers to 9 double black diamond lines in Taynton Bowl, an expert-only zone that was once accessible only by helicopter. For those craving big mountain adrenaline without the heli price tag, this is a must. And if you're looking to catch some airtime, Panorama is also home to one of the best terrain parks on the Powder Highway, offering progressive features for all levels.

Where to stay: The Rocky Mountain Springs Lodge serves up a cozy stay with easy access to Radium Hot Springs Pools, Kootenay National Park and the gorgeous Columbia River. 

7. Ski and Stay at Kicking Horse – an expert skier's paradise

Continue your Powder Highway journey north on Route 95 for just over two hours until you reach Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, one of Canada’s most legendary destinations for advanced and expert skiers. With 60% of its terrain rated black or double black, this resort is a dream for those looking to push their limits on steep chutes, open alpine bowls and technical descents. Before lifts were installed in 2000, Kicking Horse was a heli-skiing-only zone, and standing atop one of the resort's 85 chutes quickly reminds you why. The resort boasts a staggering 4,314 feet of vertical drop and is often compared to Jackson Hole for its rugged terrain, rowdy steeps and big-mountain feel. There are plenty of fun non-skiing activities, too, like the on-mountain Grizzly Bear Refuge (home to Boo, the resident grizzly), or nearby Golden, a historic mountain town with a surprisingly vibrant dining scene.

Where to ski: Don't miss the chutes off Revelation Ridge. Some of the terrain requires a short hike, but the incredible snow, challenging pitch and uber-long descent make it well worth the effort.

Where to stay: Whispering Pines’ luxurious three-bedroom townhomes provide exclusive ski-in ski-out access to the gondola and Village Plaza. If your muscles are tired from tackling the slopes, the private six-person hot tub offers a stylish and soothing respite.

8. Head to Revelstoke for Canada's deepest snow

Head west along the iconic Trans-Canada Highway for just over two hours and you’ll arrive at Revelstoke, the undisputed king of British Columbia when it comes to snowfall and vertical drop. Nestled between the Selkirk and Monashee mountain ranges, Revelstoke sees an unimaginable 480 to 720 inches of snow each season. The terrain here is steep, deep and endlessly playful, designed for skiers and riders who crave a true big-mountain experience. 

The numbers don’t lie: Revelstoke boasts North America’s longest lift-served vertical descent at 5,620 feet. Add in a moderate 15–25 minute hike from the top of The Stoke Chair, and you can stretch that to a full 6,000 vertical feet, with unbeatable access to North Bowl. And if heli-skiing is still on your bucket list, Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing, based right at the resort, offers direct access to some of the most epic backcountry terrain in the region. Just 6 miles down the road, the town of Revelstoke adds to the charm with a walkable downtown, a surprising lineup of great restaurants, cozy cafés, and a few lively après-ski spots where locals and visitors swap powder stories over craft beer or cocktails.

Related: Book a Heli-Skiing Package with the pros for a guaranteed good time!

Where to ski: For access to long, sustained blue and black runs, glades and hike-to, above-tree-line bowl terrain, a ride on The Stoke Chair is an absolute must.

Where to stay: It's easier to be first on the chair if you're staying close to it. The slopeside Sutton Place Hotel is located right in Revelstoke's base village and provides convenient access for getting out the door in the morning on powder days (plus stunning alpine views and a relaxing hot tub)

9. Tack on a day of skiing at Red Mountain or Whitewater on your drive back to Spokane

To break up the six-plus-hour drive from Revelstoke back to Spokane, consider stopping at Red Mountain or Whitewater for one last day of powder skiing and a well-earned place to rest your head. Whether you're chasing one last face shot or simply soaking in the alpine views, it’s the perfect way to end on a high note. After getting your last turns in, hit the road, drive to Spokane, drop off the rental car and hop on your flight home. Congratulations, you’ve just checked off the ski road trip of a lifetime!

Related: Browse Red Mountain Lodging and Browse Whitewater Ski Vacation Packages

Book Your Trip on the Powder Highway

Ready to plan the perfect Powder Highway ski trip? Whether you're tackling the full loop or just hitting a few iconic stops along the way, we’ve got you covered. Our Mountain Travel Experts can help you bundle and save on everything from lodging, lift tickets, transportation, rentals, lessons and more. Get a free custom quote and let us take care of the details. Start planning your dream mountain getaway today!