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Whitewater Ski Resort is a ski resort near Nelson in British Columbia, Canada. The resort is situated in Ymir bowl, beneath the 2400 m high Ymir Mountain, in the Selkirk Mountains. The Selkirks receive plentiful, dry snow, and the location in a high alpine bowl provides an annual snowfall average of over 10 m. The elevation of the parking is 1605 m and the highest lift accessed point is 2000 m. While Ymir Peak is not included within the ski area boundary, lifts climb both shoulders of the bowl, and provide easy traverse routes along ridges to the top. In addition to its snow, the resort is renowned for its excellent tree skiing and steep runs; only 20% of the runs are beginner, while 40% are intermediate and the remaining 40% are advanced. The resort consists of two antiquated double chairs, a handle tow, and lodge with an award winning cafeteria, a rental shop and guest services. The Summit Chairlift accesses the south ridge of Ymir bowl, and offers a wide variety of gladed blue and black runs. The Silverking Double chair runs up the north ridge of Ymir bowl, and provides access to the resorts only beginner runs. The Summit lift was purchased from the Spokane world fair, while the Silver King was purchased from Whistler, where it had previously been the Olive chair. From the top of either chair, skiiers who are properly equipped can traverse the ridges towards Ymir Peak, and then choose from a multitude of lines that lead back to the base area. The Summit Chair also provides access to the popular Backside area, a steep, treed west facing slope that leads to the access road. While these areas are beyond the ski area boundary, and are not patrolled or controlled for avalanches, they are popular areas and frequently see as much traffic as the in bound areas of the ski area. Because of its steep terrain and plentiful snow, Whitewater is frequented by many back country skiiers; this situation however, creates a significant avalanche hazard, and avalanche control is among the company's largest expenditures. Skiing began in Nelson in 1932, with the Silver King Skiers, following Danny McKay's success in the National ski jumping contests. In 1974, a coalition of locals residents backed the creation of a new resort in a more suitable location, and Ymir bowl was chosen. Alpine skiing, and backcountry skiing are available at Whitewater. heliskiing and catskiing are available out of Nelson.
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