Deep Pow & Endless Fun

The Kootenays are known worldwide for deep powder snow…and the Slocan Valley is no exception. The Slocan Valley is on the Powder Highway, with many local options for backcountry skiing, catskiing, cross-country skiing and more.

Winter temperatures in the Valley stay at a pleasant -5C to 5C (12F to 41F), but can range from +5C to -25C (41 to -13F).

The best months to catch big snow are December, January and February…averaging about 130cm or 51 inches per month.

From December through early March, snow cover is about 40cm ( about a foot and a half) or more at lower Valley levels.

There are a few cat-skiing and heli-skiing operations in the Slocan Valley (check out the Outdoor Adventure section of the Valley Directory) who can offer you a thrilling adventure in the backcountry. But if you prefer to head out on a more relaxed adventure, cross-country skiing is popular along the Slocan Valley Rail Trail, our 50km volunteer-groomed classic and skate ski trail, which doubles as a walking, biking and equestrian trail in the summer. Alternatively, you can break your own trail out your back door.

Skiing is not the only thing that’s popular here in the winter – snowshoeing, ice fishing at Summit Lake and polar bear dips in the Slocan River are a ton of fun as well.

The Powder Highway website contains snow reports travel information and current highway conditions. For more on backcountry skiing visit Backcountry Skiing Canada.

There are two ski hills near the Slocan Valley. Whitewater Ski Resort is about 25 minutes from Crescent Valley and Red Mountain Resort is located in Rossland, about an hour from Crescent Valley.

If you have a favourite snow story, route or image you want to share, or if you have an update on a trail condition, please contact us at info@slocanvalley.com.

Caution:

As fun as the snow can be, avalanches are a real and formidable threat here. If you are going out in the backcountry in the winter, be informed, well equipped and know the current snow conditions.

The Canadian Avalanche Association’s avalanche bulletin is your best resource for up to date conditions.

Many local outfitters offer backcountry winter awareness courses, can outfit you for your time in the snow, and give you the skinny on where to go. If you don’t know the area, and you’re going into avalanche country (which is pretty much any country off the established roadways), consider employing a local professional who will make your trip more enjoyable.

Check out “Outdoor Adventure” in our Valley Directory for more info.

Endless Trails

The Kootenays have some of the best mountain bike terrain and trails in the world. In the Slocan Valley, there are hundreds of miles of old logging and mining roads – some deactivated and some not.

New Denver is a hub of converted rail beds such as the Galena Trail – popular with hikers and cyclists alike and the Lemon Creek area has some especially good trails for fatty tires.

You can cycle north of New Denver along the lake or head east to the upper elevations of the famous Sandon ghost town. The cycle up to Idaho peak is a bit of a puffer (6,000 feet) and a heart-stopper on the way down.

Road biking the Slocan Valley has been popular with tour companies because of the beauty and relatively uncrowded highways. You do have to watch for logging trucks and other dangers on logging roads.

For more mountain biking and road cycling information, check out the Outdoor Adventure section in our Valley Directory.

A Great Place to Horse Around

Although it may not look exactly like Kentucky horse country here, it’s surprising how many people in the Slocan Valley keep a horse, or two, or three. Farriers are booked weeks in advance and a common conversation topic is, “Where’d you get your hay from?”

With all the old logging roads and paths through the bushes, you don’t have to go far to find a trail you’d love to discover on horseback.

The Slocan Valley Rail Trail, which runs along the Slocan River, is a good place to take your “hay burner”. The trail has been bedded and groomed by the Slocan Valley Heritage Trail Society and is lovely horse footing.

Horses and riders that are used to traveling on roads and encountering cars, wildlife, domestic animals, the occasional dirt bike, skidoo or logging truck, do just fine here.

If you want more information about ‘horsing around’ in the Valley, contact the Slocan Valley Outriders – a club where horse lovers share their equine passion, and coordinate equine play-days, clinics, and trail rides. For more information contact Tammy Steen or visit the Slocan Valley Outriders profile page in the Community Organizations section of the Valley Directory.

There are two Recreation Commissions that offer residents and visitors wonderful day programs and events like: hikes, stargazing, bee-keeping, interpretive programs, movies under the stars, and much more.

The Slocan Valley Recreation Commission coordinates recreation activities in the Southern Valley.

Slocan Valley Recreation Commission No. 8
(South Electoral Area H and the Village of Slocan)

P.O. Box 8, Slocan Park, B.C., V0G 2E0

• Phone: 250.226.0008 or Fax: 250.226.7778
• email: slocanvalleyrec@rdck.bc.ca
• www.facebook.com/slocanvalleyrec

For the north Slocan Valley Recreation Commission meetings or more info, contact Carol Pengelly at 250.358.2863.