Driving from Spokane, Wa.

Most of our guests travel to our location by flying into Spokane, WA, and take a shuttle or rental vehicle (preferably a 4x4 with winter tires) from the airport.

Border Information

Within Canada 1-800-461-9999

Nelway Border Crossing

Location: Between Metaline Falls, WA and Salmo, BC.
Hours: US and Canadian customs open 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. (midnight), daily

Patterson Border CrossingM

Location: Between Northport, WA and Rossland, BC.
Hours: Canadian and US customs open 24 hours a day, daily

Do you have a criminal record?

Canadian Immigration regulations restrict anyone from entering the country who has a conviction that would be considered a criminal charge in Canada. People with DUI charges or drug convictions (anytime in recent or ancient history) have a very high probability of being denied entry into Canada. Your records in the US can be accessed by Canadian Customs & Immigration officers through cooperative agreements between the US and Canada. For those who have a record, it is recommended you pre-determine your entry status prior to arriving at the border. Snowwater Heli Skiing is not responsible, or liable, to make any compensation for guests who are denied access at the border.

Canadian and International travelers

All European flights arrive to major Canadian cities like Toronto, Calgary or Vancouver and from there you can where to fly to locally. From Canadian cities, you have two options:

1. Fly Air Canada to Castlegar airport (YCG), with a local shuttle a ride to Nelson. Rental cars are also available (Budget and Practicar). Please be warned, flights are often cancelled due to stormy weather so we recommend spending a day on the slopes at Red Mountain Resort or Whitewater Resort prior to your arrival day.

   Local Shuttle www.kootenayshuttle.com

2. Fly Pacific Coastal Airlines to Trail, BC (YZZ), from Vancouver’s south terminal. This airport is 1 hour from our base, but it is a little more reliable than Castlegar (www.pacific-coastal.com). Book your car rental ahead and practicar will pick you up from the airport and take you to their office, where you can pick up your rental vehicle:

   www.practicar.ca

Private Aircraft

Castlegar is the only airport locally that allows for international private jets. Please call for details.

It is the responsibility of the guest to be on time. Please call us if you are running late (250-359-7665). Guests who miss the scheduled departure, will need a private shuttle to the lodge at a cost of $200 per person. We do not operate lodge shuttles past 6:30pm. If you are late, you will have to spend the night in Nelson and incur extra accommodation and food expenses.

We recommend flying/driving in a day early and warming up on a local ski hill if you think you might not make your trip on time. We are conveniently positioned between two great ski areas. Both Whitewater Ski Resort and Red mountain are located with an hour from our base.