Whitewater Wonder

We have wanted to visit Nelson, B.C. for quite some time, but it is typically dumping snow at home and we never want to leave good snow. So, this year was the perfect year to go, with no snow at home.

Whitewater Ski Resort is pretty awesome. With just three, slow, two-seater lifts, it has a nice ma-&-pa ski area feeling. Despite having just those three lifts, there were no lines. The lodge was crowded at lunchtime with rosy-cheeked kids and families enjoying some excellent food.

[Our camping view for the week, in the parking lot of Whitewater]

Whitewater is part of what is called "The Powder Highway"; this year, it wasn't exactly powder, but there was white stuff covering the whole hill, and that's better than our hill, so we were pleased.

Kye and I spent some time one day on the rope tow, while Brandon did a little 'touring' for exercise. At one point, Kye decided it was super fun to go backwards, calling himself 'Tow Mater' (the best backwards driver in Carburetor County, for those unaware). 

[Tow Mater]

The next day, Kye said he was ready for the chairlift, so we enjoyed a few lift runs in the sunshine as a family. Pretty awesome experience.

[His legs didn't reach the edge of the seat.]

[Heather's view: is that blue jacket attached to a person?!?]

Little guy straight-lined the whole ski run unless we forced a turn (manually grabbing his binding). He said, "I'm Lightning McQueen. I want to go FAST!" 

[An evening skin, after lifts closed.]

We spent a day wandering around the town of Nelson, getting groceries and propane. Then, we drove to Ainsworth Hot Springs and set up camp nearby. We enjoyed an evening soak and shower. It's a cool spot, with a warm family pool and some hotter caves.

 [The nice Kootenay Lake campground near Ainsworth]

After cleaning up a bit, we headed back to Whitewater. Brandon got up early and headed out (with plenty of time, phew) to do the Coldsmoke Randonee Race . He felt strong and good during the race, finishing in 3rd place.

[B is far left front with orange pack, 

hidden next to dude in blue skinsuit...the start.]

1st- Philipp Schaedler (center); 2nd place- Ben Parsons (right); 3rd place- Brandon Kern (left)

And one last run for little man, after the race and before we hit the road to head home.

 Somehow he managed to sneak out his sleepy sheep.