Winter Carnival Combo
What better way to embrace winter than with a weekend double header on the slopes? The one-two punch of Whitewater’s Winter Carnival and Avalanche Awareness Day had the resort hopping in the middle of January.
In a nod to Quebec’s renowned Carnival d’Hiver, Whitewater gave locals and visitors plenty of reasons to celebrate winter.
What’s a winter carnival Kootenay style you ask? Start with a generous helping of fresh snow, add in some outdoor entertainment, an extra serving of culinary creations, and top it off with the friendly camaraderie that the resort is known for and “voila!” - you’ve got a recipe for success.
The family friendly festivity was bustling with action during the day. The kiddos had a blast. From marshmallow roasting to maple syrup on a stick (or tir d’erable as it’s known in la belle province), scavenger hunts with sweet treats to face painting, they were buzzing with excitement. The combo of sugary delights and festive atmosphere made for smiles all around.
Due to a Fortis Power Outage, the evening festivities were postponed to February 3rd with a real throwback 70's style party accompanied by live music from Kaslo's Lost Ledge and top notch buffet menu from Fresh Track Cafe.
The vibe continued on Sunday with the resort hosting Avalanche Awareness Day programs and learning opportunities. With the resort drawing in backcountry enthusiasts from far and wide to its famed off-piste terrain, getting a little extra knowhow to play safe is valuable intel.
A snow pit demo and companion rescue demo appealed to alpine touring beginners and veterans. Plus, having the chance to chat with the Snow Safety team about the local conditions and terrain is always a bonus.
The powder formula vibe is building with the annual Coldsmoke Festival coming up February 23-25, with tons of clinics and opportunities to take your skiing and riding to the next level. Add in fond memories of last February’s ridiculous powder dumps, and it’s hard not to get pumped for plenty of steep and deep experiences ahead!