A trip to the Kootenays with The Snowboarders Journal
A trip to the Kootenays with The Snowboarders Journal
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A trip to the Kootenays with The Snowboarders Journal

Smartwool •

A Place That Feels Like Home

There is something about Whitewater that feels like stepping back in time in the best way possible. No frills, no hype. Just a gravel road leading to four lifts and a whole lot of terrain that makes you feel like a kid again. The kind of place where powder lines linger for days and locals are stoked to share their secret stashes, sometimes.

In March 2025, Smartwool athletes Mary Rand, Austin Smith, and Ben Poechman headed up to Nelson, British Columbia, to meet up with Eva Van Vugt and River Slootweg, two riders who know this mountain like the back of their hand. What they found wasn’t just deep snow and dreamy pillow lines, though there was plenty of that. It was a community that lives and breathes the mountains, where the vibe is humble, welcoming, and refreshingly real.

Why we ride

Whitewater reminds us why we fell in love with snowboardingin the first place. It is not just about chasing powder. It is about finding connection. To the land. To the people. To the quiet moments in between.

Why we ride

Whitewater reminds us why we fell in love with snowboardingin the first place. It is not just about chasing powder. It is about finding connection. To the land. To the people. To the quiet moments in between.

More Than the Riding

Every day brought something new. Short hikes to untouched lines. Sun breaking through storm clouds. Laughter echoing off the ridgelines. But what stood out most wasn’t the riding, it was the people. 

The way everyone here moves through the mountains with intention and respect. The way they show up for each other. The way they make you feel like you belong, even if you are visiting for the first time. 
Read more about the team’s trip to Whitewater in The Snowboarder’s Journal Issue Feature.