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. 

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 Info@skiwhitewater.com

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, and is consistent across all Ski Areas of Western Canada.

1. Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
2. People ahead of you have the right-of-way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
3. Do not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.
4. Before starting downhill or merging onto a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
5. If you are involved in or witness a collision/accident you must remain at the scene and identify yourself to the Ski Patrol.
6. Always use proper devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
7. Observe and obey all posted signs and warnings.
8. Keep off closed trails and obey area closures.
9. You must not use lifts or terrain if your ability is impaired through the use of alcohol or drugs.
10. You must have sufficient physical dexterity, ability, and knowledge to safely load, ride, and unload lifts. If in doubt, ask the lift attendant.

1. Always check posted trail conditions

2. Ski in the indicated direction and obey all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails.

3. Always ski to the 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. Tke out what you pack in. Respect all property.

8. Report all incidents. 

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. 

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 info@skiwhitewater.com or 250-354-4944.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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. 

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

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.