PEMBERTON

Discover a Winter Playground

Nestled in the heart of the Coast Mountains, Pemberton is a small, unassuming town. But despite its sleepy ambiance, it is home to a vibrant community of outdoor enthusiasts. Whether it’s skiing steep chutes on the surrounding mountains, jumping off cliffs on snowmobiles or hiking from cabin to cabin through the backcountry, Pemberton’s residents make a lifestyle out of enjoying their natural playground.

Upon entering Pemberton, you’ll quickly take note of the surroundings. Endless expanses of snow-capped mountains surround the community, and the magnificent Mount Currie looms over the south side of the town — its rocky face standing 2,591 metres (8,500 feet) above sea level (And yes, people ski down it!). Even though Pemberton’s winters are relatively mild in temperature, big snowfalls are certainly not rare in the village. Backcountry skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers flock to Pemberton to take advantage of several excellent backcountry areas. To the west is the massive Pemberton Ice Cap, with access from several points south of town; and to the north and northeast, the Hurley and Duffey Lake roads offer access to world-renowned backcountry terrain. For the ultimate one-day backcountry experience, heli-skiing and snowmobile tours are available. Many local attractions, such as Nairn Falls Provincial Park, are accessible in the winter. Following the Sea to Sky Trail, visitors can access Nairn Falls directly from One Mile Lake on a wide, crushed-gravel path that’s popular for winter hiking and snowshoeing. For crosscountry skiers, trails are track-set around the Nairn Falls campground each winter.

In January, the Village of Pemberton marks the season with its annual Winterfest celebration. Most Winterfest activities occur at One Mile Lake, where the frozen surface is the venue for a shinny hockey tournament, curling tournament and skating rinks, as well as the ever-popular Polar Bear Plunge. Other event features include live music, outdoor movies and fireworks. (Activities are weather dependent. For up-to-date information visit pembertonwinterfest. com). One Mile Lake is also an ideal place for younger anglers to try ice fishing; and during Winterfest a youth fishing derby is hosted by local guides. For more experienced anglers, local waters such as Mosquito Lake, Blackwater Lake and Gates Lake offer great ice fishing for rainbow trout, bull trout and Dolly Varden.

For those who wish to escape the cold of winter, soaking in one of the area’s natural hot springs is a sublime experience. Visiting the Skookumchuk/T’sek or Sloquet hot springs is a popular day trip from Pemberton, each offering its own unique setting and character.

After a day of adventure, why not settle in for a warm, hearty meal at one of Pemberton’s restaurants? The Pony, The Station, Mile One Eating House and the recently opened Town Square all offer a wide variety of entrées and often feature local produce and meats.

Each restaurant serves its own signature dishes, ranging from gourmet pizzas and burgers to hearty pastas and wild game entrées.

In the evening Pemberton has a few places to wet your whistle with a cold beer, a stiff shot or glass of wine. The Pony’s bar offers a rotating selection of B.C.’s finest craft beers, and The Beer Farmers and Pemberton Brewing Co. craft breweries feature cozy taphouses where guests can sample their brews. Fescues Restaurant at Big Sky Golf Club features fondues and comforting winter favourites, pub and board games, and is the place to watch all the latest sports action. The Prospect Pub is the place to go for nightlife, live music and comedy.

While only a 30-minute drive north from Whistler, Pemberton seems far removed from the hustle and bustle of Whistler Village. Its quaint, old-western downtown harkens back to simpler times, yet all the thrills and adventure you can imagine exist a mere arm’s length away.