Skiing in Pemberton
Backcountry, Cross Country, Alpine, Oh My!
With the recent record snowfall in nearby Whistler (76 cm in 72 hours) coupled with the news on CNN that Whistler/Blackcomb has 9 of the top ski runs in the world, we thought to remind you of the great skiing in Pemberton...
We're only 30 minutes away from the number one ski resort in the world, but we're eons away in spirit. Whereas Whistler gets upwards of 2 million visitors per year, we're a bit quieter here in Pemberton. Whistler may have throngs of cars and tour buses, whereas we've got horses, both wild and tame. It's a different world. We've got our free shuttle to Whistler for visitors of the Pemberton Valley Lodge, which we like to think of as the perfect way to experience the rush of Whistler, but then come home again to Pemberton and experience that all-too-rare treat these days: quiet countryside bliss.
Some of the top athletes in the world make their home here in Pemberton, and one of the main reasons is that, from the Village hub, you can easily experience a range of sports, some within walking distance. Pemberton may be best known now for its biking, but skiing is not far behind. We've got some of the best backcountry skiing in western Canada (which arguably means best in the world) and cross country trails, too. Not to mention heli skiing if you'd like to try that out. Start from Pemberton and you can't go wrong.
Cross Country Skiing in Pemberton
There are also 13 kilometres of trails out Pemberton Meadows Road, maintained by volunteers. These trails are on private property, but the property owners are kind enough to allow skiers in the winter. The cross country ski club in Pemberton is called the Spud Valley Nordics and they're a great source of information about where to go and what conditions are like. The club is hosting the Coast Cup #3 this Sunday, January 19th, so if you are in town for that, try to make it out. Spud Valley Nordic also maintains the Nairn Falls trail in the winter, making it a great trail to ski on. The trail goes from One Mile Lake to Nairn Falls, and is free to use.
Backcountry Skiing in Pemberton
Recently, Canada's iconic newspaper wrote a piece on backcountry skiing in Pemberton, detailing what locals have known for quite some time. We live on the boundary of epic backcountry skiing. To ski the backcountry, which is becoming more and more popular, you need to know that you are an expert Alpine skier. This is the first step. Second, you need to have had avalanche training, first aid training, and you need to have the specialized gear. A good way to go for your first time is to hire a guide. They won't be able to help you become an expert skier, but they will have the gear and training you need. Pemberton is lucky to have a few backcountry guides. Click through to the Tourism Pemberton website for more details.
Alpine Skiing near Pemberton
And, of course, a very short drive away is North America's number one ski resort: Whistler Blackcomb. We truly feel like we have the perfect location to enjoy the epic, over-the-top business and glitz that is Whistler, and still retain our sense of calm and serenity. Pembertonians know too well that as you drive from Whistler to Pemberton, when you reach the sign that says "Welcome to Pemberton" and the valley opens up before you, often you see the sun again :), with One Mile Lake greeting you to your right, everything just feels right in the world again.
We'd love to help you experience any and all types of skiing Pemberton has to offer. Let us know how we can help!
Posted: Friday, January 17, 2014
