If your idea of a good time involves strapping a pair of planks to your feet and getting out onto the snow, then Wells Gray Country has much to offer. Skiing is popular here in all its forms, and this is a great place to try them out. It's all here, from cross-country skiing to downhill and some of the best back-country skiing to be found in BC.

Ski Nordic
Wells Gray Country area boasts an extensive network of groomed cross-country ski trails, totalling up to as much as 85km when conditions are ideal. The groomed trails range from loops for skate and classic skiing, to adventure-touring routes: there’s something for everyone, from the go-fast athlete to the novice. Ski-rentals are available locally.

Half of the trails are in the Candle Creek system: to find them, drive north-east on Highway 5 for a couple of kilometres from Clearwater, turn left onto Candle Creek Road, then up the hill for about 3km before turning right onto Barber Road - the trailhead is at the end of this road, with ample parking. There's a cosy log cabin with a wood-stove to warm up after your ski, and about 32km of well-groomed classic and skate trails.
Candle Creek trail-map

Most of the other trails are inside Wells Gray Park, about 40km up the Clearwater Valley Road from Highway 5. The principal trailhead is just south of Dawson Falls, where there's a warming-hut and parking-area. Ski from here onto the Blackwater trail, which descends over about 10km to Helmcken Falls Lodge, or along the South Murtle trail to the King Hut at 7km: if you're looking for a longer outing, continue on down the MacLeod Hill and Stillwater trails, again finishing at the Lodge - or carry on round the entire loop to complete the 30km of what was once the Wells Gray Loppet. In February, watch-out for hordes of friendly vikings here for the ‘Birchleg’ event.
Wells Gray Park trail-map
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In The Sticks
Those who prefer to venture off the prepared trails (and either have the experience and gear to do so, or have hired a guide to accompany them) have a huge variety of opportunities, ranging from extensive touring on accessible trails, to fantastic steep ‘n’ deep skiing in the mountains. There's more detail about individual areas here.

Some areas require a snowmobile for access, others a snowcat or helicopter ride to get in, and others are just a good, long hike.

If you haven't yet built-up the experience and gear required to venture away from the prepared trails of the front country independently, then several guides are based locally, and are available to accompany you. One business offers hut-to-hut traverses, powder clinics, and the essential avalanche-awareness courses.

If you’re keen to ‘earn the turn’ in spectacular surroundings, the rewards here are high!
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Downhill
Wells Gray Country's very own downhill ski-centre is to be found just over the North Thompson River from the lower townsite ('The Flats') in Clearwater. The hill offers some ????m of vertical, serviced by a single T-bar lift. There is also a rope-tow for beginners on the 'bunny hill'. Ski-rentals, refreshments and warmth are provided from the impressive ski-lodge: please see the Clearwater Ski-Club's site for full details.
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