Shames, Smithers and Powder King - BC. Info needed.

[MadPatSki]

Hi,

I'm looking for some information on these three Northern BC ski areas for someone that has first hand knowledge about them.

I know they receive a ton of snow and it's far, but what is the terrain like and how challenging is it?

Ah yes, I also know there a ton of backcountry skiing off Shames and there was a article in Ski Canada a few years ago.

Thanks...

[weibo]

Friend of mine runs Patrol at Smithers. What do you need? It's a small place mellow cheap and fun. Two sides one with a chair one with two t-bars. Chair side is the best fairly long runs and good vertical drop. Good short OB terrain and some alpine day tours. Seems like a nice town and the ski area vibe is very mellow and home towny.

[OneEyedDog]

Shames inbounds is pretty small (One lift, one T-bar), but the touring is awesome, and there's a good bunch of people hanging around. See here for crappy topo and photos of the terrain. (click for photos).

http://www.mrbs.ca/bcpgs/home.html

[MadPatSki]

Thanks weibo and OneEyedDog.

I'm thinking of Northern BC ski trip, but besides the stats like vertical, runs, lift and snow amounts, I don't know how the terrain and challenge of the runs are.

It's nice to have great snow, but I rather sacrifice great snow and consider going elsewhere if the terrain isn't challenging and the runs boring. What are these places like?

I've had already seen that link on the Shames backcountry, definitely interesting.

[PlayHarder]

I've only been to Powder King of those three, but my impression based on that and word of mouth about the rest is that they're okay if you're there for some reason and not worth a special trip.
That said, if you have an extremely adventurous streak, the mountains in N BC and the southern Yukon are unbelievable. Head northwest of Ft Nelson for a taste of true wilderness.

[Ginger]

I used to live in Prince rupert about 10 years ago, and was never impressed with Shames. Hated driving the road along the skeena in bad weather (almost went in after hitting black ice), but from terrace it is much better. Its very small and not much to do inbounds, and I was never really impressed with the snow. I wasn't into backcountry then so I can't help you there. I really liked smithers, better snow, but pretty mellow terrain.
Never been to powder king

[Beaver]

Been to Shames & Smithers. Smithers is often windy and fogged in real bad. There is some really good touring. The hill is decent sized for the population but not huge at all. Ther is a small area of steep trees that is good but you've got to watch where you go in the trees because if you stray to the wild trees it's like skiing through a box of toothpicks. Not so fun. I've never known the hill to get heaping shit piles of pow, probably due to the winds. Shames is small but the back country rocks. They can get huge dumps of fluff one day then have it all turned to cement overnight so it's best to get it whileit falls. Shames generally gets more snow than Smithers. Never been to PK but I've JR tells me it's a pretty lack lustre hill with huge amounts of snow. You've got to take that in context though cause we live and skin the Kootenays.

[splat]

Met the Smithers tourism dude in Quebec City last winter at a conference. He's a good guy. Prolly find him through Tourism Canadia if you don't get enough info here. Prolly could use some help to justify his job by helping you. Canada's Tourism Bureau is the best I've ever worked with, nationwide, and really helpful.

[MadPatSki]

Thanks for all the info.

I was wondering if those areas we worth a trio-trip on their own. From what I just heared, not necessarly unless I'm in the neighbourhood.

If my friend goes and spends a few months up there then I might go, if not I would probably look into a Calgary loop via Castle-Fernie-Kick then back through Banff. THAT IF I have the money saved after I empty my saving for crazy year (ie. 3 trip out West season).