Safety & Risk Awareness

Once Whitewater Ski Resort is open for the season, there will be no hiking or ski touring allowed within the Whitewater Ski Area boundary before, during, or after operating hours. This is due to avalanches and other operational hazards. Information on recommended routes outside the ski area boundary is located outside the main entrance across from Guest Services.

When Whitewater is open for the season, there will be no sledding, tobogganing, tubing, hiking, or ski touring allowed within the Whitewater Ski Area boundary before, during, or after operating hours through to our final day of operations. This is due to avalanches and other operational hazards. Skiing/snowboarding privileges will be suspended if this policy is not respected.

We have information on recommended ascent routes outside the ski area boundary for you to check out! These are posted on the wall outside the lodge between the Guest Services building and the main Lodge.  Please note if you are skiing/riding down after operational hours you are required to take the ascent route down.

Before heading into the backcountry ask yourself and your skiing/riding partner(s) the following:

1. Do I/we have knowledge of avalanche terrain and phenomena?
2. Do I/we have the necessary rescue and safety equipment and the skills to use them?
3. Do I/we have a competent partner?
4. Do I/we have a map/compass and skills to use it in all weather conditions?
5. Did I/we get a weather forecast? (past and future)
6. Are we prepared to do our own rescue?
7. Have I/we talked to the locals or the Snow Safety Staff about the area and conditions?

If you cannot answer YES to all seven of these questions you should stay in the ski area boundary! For more information on avalanche conditions, please visit Avalanche Canada.

Uphill Touring Route:
The uphill touring route is shown on the far left side of this map outside of the ski area boundary.

During the resort's off-season, recreational vehicles (snowmobiles, ATVs, dirt bikes, etc.), sledding, tobogganing, and tubing are NOT PERMITTED within the ski area boundary. Please ensure you read the exclusion of liability notice prior to visiting the resort. When Whitewater Ski Resort is shut down for the off-season, visiting the resort is NOT recommended as the area is uncontrolled, unpatrolled and numerous risks and hazards exist included but not limited to, avalanche hazards, variable snow conditions, exposed rocks/trees, machine work, lift maintenance, etc. Please read the exclusion of liability notice.

Please Click Here for more information on Whitewater's Off-Season Policy

Resort Signage:
Resort Closed
Travel Beyond not Recommended

If you are visiting the resort during the off-season, please do not block access to any parking lots or roads. Do not drive recklessly in any parking lots. If you decide to leave your vehicle unattended for more than 24 hours, please send an email to 

As the tenure holder, Whitewater reserves the right to restrict access to the operational area for safety reasons to our staff, guests, and the public. Those that do not respect closures will be reported to the RCMP for trespassing.

The Alpine Responsibility Code provides the basic rules of conduct and must be followed by all using the terrain. This Responsibility Code is consistent across all Ski Areas of Western Canada.

1. Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
2. People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
3. Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
4. Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
5. You must prevent runaway equipment.
6. Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazard markings.
7. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
8. You must know how and be able to load, ride, and and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
9. Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
10. If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.

Know the code - be safety conscious. It is your responsibility. Helmets are strongly recommended for skiing & riding.

Alpine Responsibility Code Signage

The Cross Country Responsibility Code provides the basic rules of conduct and must be followed by all using the terrain. This Responsibility Code is consistent across all Ski Areas of Western Canada.

1. Always check posted trail conditions.
2. Ski in indicated direction and obey all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails.
3. Always ski to right when meeting on-coming skiers and when skiing on double track.
4. Yield the track to faster skiers and skiers calling 'track'.
5. Ski in control. On two-way trails descending skiers have the right-of-way.
6. Do not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible to others. Move off the track quickly if you fall or during rest stops.
7. Do not litter. Take out what you pack in. Respect all property.
8. Report all incidents.

Cross Country Responsibility Code Signage

The Mountain Biker's Responsibility Code provides the basic rules of conduct and must be followed by all using the terrain. This Responsibility Code is consistent across all Ski Areas of Western Canada.

1. RIDE IN CONTROL AND WITHIN YOUR ABILITY LEVEL. You must be able to stop and avoid other people or objects. You must understand bike park signage, trail ratings and trail progression. Start slow and small. Ride trails and features matching your ability.
2. PROTECT YOURSELF. Helmets are mandatory in Bike Parks and strongly recommended on all other trails. Other protective equipment is strongly recommended.
3. DO NOT RIDE if your ability or judgement is impaired by drugs, alcohol or fatigue.
4. INSPECT AND MAINTAIN YOUR BIKE or have it checked by a qualified bike mechanic before you ride.
5. OBEY SIGNS AND WARNINGS. Stay on marked trails. Do not cut switchbacks and keep off of closed areas.
6. RIDE IN CONTROL INSPECT TRAILS AND FEATURES. Conditions change constantly on trails and features. Inspect features before use and throughout the day.
7. RIDE IN CONTROL BE LIFT SMART. Make sure you have the physical dexterity, ability and knowledge to safely load, ride and unload lifts when riding at lift access resorts. Ask for assistance with chairlifts and surface lifts if unsure.
8. LOOK OUT FOR OTHERS. Avoid riders ahead of you. They have the right of way. Yield to other riders when entering a trail. Conditions change constantly on trails and features. Inspect features before use and throughout the day.
9. BE VISIBLE. Do not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.
10. COOPERATE. If you are involved in or witness a Collision or accident, you must identify yourself to the Bike Patrol, staff member or local authority.

Know and follow the code - be safety conscious. It is your responsibility.

Mountain Biker's Responsibility Code Signage

The use of ski area premises and facilities and participation in activities at ski areas involves various risks, dangers, and hazards. It is a condition of your use of the premises and facilities and your participation in these activities that you assume all risk of personal injury, death or property loss resulting from any cause whatsoever, including negligence, breach of contract, or breach of any duty of care on the part of the ski area operator. Your legal responsibility as a user of the ski area premises and facilities or participant in activities at the ski area is explained in the following notice, which you will see posted at the ski area.

Exclusion of Liability Signage

Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding

Alpine skiing and snowboarding involve various risks, dangers and hazards. To learn more about the Exclusion of Liability please visit

SkiSafety.ca

Sledding, Sliding, Tobogganing, and Tubing are not permitted within the Ski Resort Boundary. 

All alternative sliding devices like snow bikes and snow skates require prior approval/inspection from Whitewater staff prior to lift ticket purchase or terrain access via our lift system. For lift use, safety leashes and foot straps or skis with metal edges are required.

Children in backpacks or chest carriers are not permitted on the chairlifts. 

It is not recommended that women ski/snowboard during their third trimester. 

For further inquiries please contact or 250-354-4944.

Unless prior arrangements have been made with management, Whitewater prohibits the operation or use of drones by staff or the public, including drones for filming or drone use by media or journalists operating above or within Whitewater’s ski area boundary. 

This includes any drones launched or operated from within the ski area boundary or launched from outside the ski area boundary but flown in.

Dogs are allowed only on the designated dog-friendly multi-use trails or ski ways along parking lots 2, 3, 4, and 5. Leashes are recommended. The following is important information to be aware of: 

• Only one dog per skier.
• You must be in control of your dog.
• No extendable leashes are allowed. Max leash length is 2 metres.
• If skiing, the handle of the leash must be attached to the owner. 
• Clean up after your dog.
• Any animals showing aggressive behaviour will not be permitted on the premises.
• Dog owners assume all responsibility for their dogs.

We ask that dogs are leashed when outside of the car and kept in the dog-friendly areas at all times. Dogs found running loose will be detained. Owners will be charged a $10.00 release fee and lose skiing/riding privileges. 

Violation of these rules will result in either a single warning or immediate removal of the owner's Season Pass or Lift Ticket.

Service dogs are allowed throughout the resort and may even be loaded on chairs. These owners will need to check in with Guest Services to confirm their dog has the appropriate training to do so.

Users should be familiar with the use of lifts for their own safety and the safety of others. There are many signs to inform you about the process of loading, riding, and unloading the chair. Please obey these signs. If you are unfamiliar with a lift or have questions, please ask a lift attendant for assistance.

No foot passengers are allowed on Whitewater's lift system without prior approval. 

You must not use lifts or terrain if your ability is impaired through the use of alcohol or drugs.

Children seven (7) years and younger must be accompanied by an individual who is thirteen (13) years or older when riding lifts at Whitewater. 

Alcohol consumption outside of the licensed areas within the Whitewater resort property, including outdoors, is strictly prohibited.  

Bringing your own personal alcohol for consumption anywhere on resort property is not permitted.

Walking in the resort presents hazards that pose a potential for serious risk. Surfaces including roadways, walkways, parking lots, decks, and stairs can become icy and slippery throughout the day and night making slips and falls a potential risk. Whitewater Ski Resort staff do their best to keep all surfaces as safe as possible however, guests should take extra precautions when walking throughout the resort. Ski boots do not offer proper traction and guests are encouraged to wear microspikes or footwear designed for walking in a winter environment.  Guests are also encouraged to use the proper skiways while traveling to and from their cars.  Please always use extra caution while walking in and around the resort.

Below is some resort signage that all skiers and riders should be aware of:

Exclusion of Liability
Resort Closed
Travel beyond not recommended
Caution Tree Wells
Caution Snowmobile Route
Caution Ungroomed Slope
Avalanche Caution
Avalanche Closure
Blasting in Progress
Avalanche Closure Boards

To keep our alpine air clean and to protect our natural environment from dangerous forest fires, smoking of any kind (including tobacco, marijuana, e-cigarettes, and vaporizers) is strictly prohibited at Whitewater Ski Resort outside of designated smoking areas. 

Whitewater Ski Resort management strongly recommends that all guests who choose to ski/ride in the trees do so with a friend, stay within visual and voice contact, and carry a whistle for your own safety.