Northern BC.. Anyone tried the mountains there? - Snowboarding Forum

Jenzo · 10-06-2009, 07:10 AM

I am considering relocating father north, I love the idea of less people, but of course the hills are smaller.

Anyone been to Powder King, Purden, or Hudson Bay? (Smithers) or any other hill in Northern BC for that matter.

bakesale · 10-06-2009, 06:06 PM

Powder King lives up to it's name but the hill is a fucking joke, two old slow chairlifts, no amenities, and the road up there can be really really dangerous. I haven't been back in years but I hear they have a terrain park now. Bring your backcountry gear and talk to someone who knows the way out, thats where the most fun is.

Purden is well kept but it's small, rarely any powder, no park, two chairlifts, and it gets boring quickly. Tabor mtn is on the same highway but closer to Prince George and it's really shitty.

Smithers is nice for backcountry riding like Powder King but really boring for everything else. Plus it's a long way to drive.

chupacabraman · 10-06-2009, 08:51 PM

Yeah like he said.
Powder King = epic snowfall but super mellow relatively boring terrain. it's all about the backcountry there, which is alright... it's no Rogers Pass though that's for sure.
Hudson Bay Smithers has better in-bounds than Powder King, and probably better backcountry too, just less snowfall (still usually powder to be had though)
Not sure about Purden, I don't think there's much there or much snow.
I noticed you didn't mention Shames... this place gets over 1200cm of snow per season! It's basically a backcountry shredders paradise, with super easy access right off the chairlift, which is easy to get back to as well.

Jenzo · 10-06-2009, 10:25 PM

Cool thanks for the info. Checking out Shames.

Did you happen to try Murray Ridge?

chupacabraman · 10-07-2009, 07:28 AM

Haven't been to Purden or Murray Ridge, I try to not make a habit of driving 10hrs to get to crappy small ski hills that only gets 200-300cm a year :P
Northern BC...
Most Snow: Powder King & Shames
Best Backcountry: Shames
Best In-bounds: Hudson Bay Smithers
All Other Resorts Not Mentioned: suck

Shames is for sale for dirt cheap, buy it!

10-06-2009, 07:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jenzo Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vernon, BC Posts: 819	Northern BC.. Anyone tried the mountains there? I am considering relocating father north, I love the idea of less people, but of course the hills are smaller. Anyone been to Powder King, Purden, or Hudson Bay? (Smithers) or any other hill in Northern BC for that matter.

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10-06-2009, 06:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
bakesale Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Vancouver Posts: 883	Powder King lives up to it's name but the hill is a fucking joke, two old slow chairlifts, no amenities, and the road up there can be really really dangerous. I haven't been back in years but I hear they have a terrain park now. Bring your backcountry gear and talk to someone who knows the way out, thats where the most fun is. Purden is well kept but it's small, rarely any powder, no park, two chairlifts, and it gets boring quickly. Tabor mtn is on the same highway but closer to Prince George and it's really shitty. Smithers is nice for backcountry riding like Powder King but really boring for everything else. Plus it's a long way to drive.

10-06-2009, 08:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
chupacabraman Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Revy Posts: 861	Yeah like he said. Powder King = epic snowfall but super mellow relatively boring terrain. it's all about the backcountry there, which is alright... it's no Rogers Pass though that's for sure. Hudson Bay Smithers has better in-bounds than Powder King, and probably better backcountry too, just less snowfall (still usually powder to be had though) Not sure about Purden, I don't think there's much there or much snow. I noticed you didn't mention Shames... this place gets over 1200cm of snow per season! It's basically a backcountry shredders paradise, with super easy access right off the chairlift, which is easy to get back to as well.

10-06-2009, 10:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jenzo Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vernon, BC Posts: 819	Cool thanks for the info. Checking out Shames. Did you happen to try Murray Ridge?

10-07-2009, 07:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
chupacabraman Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Revy Posts: 861	Haven't been to Purden or Murray Ridge, I try to not make a habit of driving 10hrs to get to crappy small ski hills that only gets 200-300cm a year :P Northern BC... Most Snow: Powder King & Shames Best Backcountry: Shames Best In-bounds: Hudson Bay Smithers All Other Resorts Not Mentioned: suck Shames is for sale for dirt cheap, buy it!