The story of the Silver King Skiers begins in 1932.Inspired by high-flying Danny McKay's success in National ski jumping contests, skiing took off in Nelson. In 1934, the first ski lodge was opened in the north end of town; a small rope tow driven by the rear axle of an ancient Model-T Ford was the transport, long wooden skis and bear trap bindings the equipment of choice.

In search of more vertical, the area was moved to the old Silver King Mine site, south of Nelson. Local families built a small tow and log cabin lodge in 1956 and on opening day, 175 beginners were given lessons. In 1961, the Silver King Lodge was built. That lodge was the cozy home to many potluck dinners and work parties. Alder to clip in the summer, painting and ploughing - Danny McKay was still the force that kept everyone working. Nobody skied until it was done. Friday nights saw kids and adults alike boot packing and side slipping the towline and hill for Saturday's skiers. In classic Kootenay style, a late night dump often made their efforts in vain and they'd be back at it Saturday morning.

Through all the ups and downs of work and skiing, the hardcore volunteers of the Silver King Ski Club kept things going. In 1974, the search for the steep and deep led them on to the Whitewater Valley.

The club hired Sam Wormington, planner and developer from Spokane, Washington in 1975. The club's desire was that care would be taken to prevent unnecessaryupset of the natural environment. Skiers and riders today owe the sweetness of Whitewater's tree skiing and glades to Sam and his group's stand against the concept of the day - wide open, wind swept runs that followed the barren pistes of European example. "People won't think it's a ski area unless everything is all tore up", said Wormington in a news article from August 1975. He goes on to say that's why this was going to be one of the best ski areas in North America; for the first time, trees were being left intact.

In 1986, a group of local business people purchased Whitewater from the Ski Club. Over the next years, many memories were built on the gatherings and good times at Whitewater. The common bond between those who came to ski was the love of our epic snowfalls and the fall line terrain. By 1989 Whitewater was progressing, but the office phone was still in the goat shed at the farm at the bottom of the access road. Skiers were starting to realize that snowboarders were here to stay.In 1997, Mike and Shelley Adams purchased Whitewater and became sole owners.

In spite of the ongoing efforts of the Whitewater anti-marketing team, the mountain continues to gain notoriety in national ski magazines and the ski film scene. Today, skier visits are climbing steadily as skiers and riders search out an alternative to the larger resorts. Expansion plans for the future are modest and will only come with skier demand. The ambiance and reputation of Whitewater's Ski Resort charm will be closely guarded.