Ski Canada

Owning a remote cat- or heli-ski operation in B.C. is a dreamysounding vocation. Winter after winter of playing in untracked powder, socializing and eating, right? Or so glows the aura. I like to think I know how to literally keep the lights on at an off-grid cabin—but not in the winter. Nor do I know how to deal with paying guests, or how to keep them safe and satisfied in avalanche country, or how to handle myriad other 24/7 responsibilities and logistics involved in running a backcountry operation, from schlepping food, kegs, cases of wine and garbage to maintaining hot tub hygiene. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that across B.C. the days of mums and pops starting, owning and operating these dreams are dwindling. “The days of mums and…

STILL SEXY AFTER 60? Turning the big 6-0 in 2026, Whistler Mountain is throwing a season-long party. Don’t expect a reprise of the go-go dancers at Tommy Africa’s or the 1973 nudists of Toad Hall—the mountain is 60, after all. Do expect memory-packed, do-it-yourself tours along Whistler’s new Wonder Routes, a curated collection of mapped trails leading skiers from one storied Whistler spot to the next, including the Gold Medal Route and the Glade Stashes Checklist. The sexiest we’ve found so far: the Après Route, leading your merry band from onhill huts to village après bars. Recommended ability: all levels! Time to complete: only two to three hours—you’ll be home by seven. whistlerblackcomb.com _LORI KNOWLES SKIING'S FIRST SKI SUBSCRIPTION WANTS YOU AS A FRIEND RenounPro may be one of skiing’s…

Skiing is packed with gods and goddesses, many of whom scowl down upon us as we make a mockery of the sport they love. (Rear-entry boots? Heated chairlifts? Skis with built-in microchips?) Perhaps you already pray at the temple of Ullr, the God of Snow and a patron saint of skiers. As the stepson of Thor, God of Thunder, it’s hard not to know Ullr, immortalized as he is in place names settled by the Norse: Ullensaker, Ulleval, and of course, Ullswater in Ontario and England. Ullr also has a sweet sponsorship deal with a line of clothing from Helly Hansen, perhaps that’s how you know him? Ullr’s female equivalent is Skadi, Goddess of Winter. Here we don’t even get the pronunciation right. Her name is actually Skaði, the ð…

When we think of museums, we think of the Louvre, the Smithsonian and the ROM, where the world’s cultural treasures are displayed for all to see. Similarly, halls of fame commemorate the deeds of both heroes and villains, enshrining them in brass statues and bronze plaques in Cooperstown (baseball), Cleveland (rock and roll) and on Hollywood’s star-studded Walk of Fame. It might come as a surprise to skiers to learn that the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame and Museum (CSHFM) has been around for 50 years—well, kind of. Like many sports history organizations, the Hall of Fame and the Museum function differently. The Hall recognizes both athletic and business achievements, while the Museum’s broader goal is to preserve artifacts of historical significance. The Museum forfeited its physical space on Scott…

1 Of the dozens of ski jackets we tested last winter, the Ortovox Ravine Plus 3L was a stand-out. Made in Europe, using recycled fishing nets, the jacket’s three-layer waterproofbreathable construction has a durable and burly feel. But it’s also cozy and versatile. Patches of fleecy merino wool on the chest and back add moisture wicking and a touch of insulation, which make the shell feel warmer than expected. With a loose but not baggy fit, it’s ideal for layering. There are generous pit zips for venting while uptracking or bashing turns on warm days. Plus, there are seven pockets. With that many, who needs a pack? $1,000; ortovox.com 2 If you’ve ever shared a chairlift with a devotee (there are many) of the Carv school of analytical feedback, you…

The sun is beginning to set behind Quebec’s hardwood hills. It’s magic hour—that picture-perfect moment when the golden sky calls skiers home for an après ski beer. But, for many Quebecers, après ski means… well…more skiing. Above a silhouette of increasingly black peaks, the stars just starting to enliven the sky become overpowered by the earthly floodlights illuminating Bromont’s famously groomed ski runs. The voices of kids yelling to each other start to see competition from the sound of shearing skis as a thin crust begins to form on the snow. The lack of sun, the colder temps, both seem to be strange things for skiers to seek out. But night skiing in Quebec attracts its own devoted crowd. There is a different vibe to night skiing. And there’s no…