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.

Shuttles

There are many shuttles that service traveling to the Kootenays. Click here for a list of shuttles from Spokane, Kelowna, Vancouver, Castelgar, Calgary and more...

Border Information

Within Canada 1-800-461-9999

Nelway Border Crossing

Location: Between Metaline Falls, WA and Salmo, BC.
NEW Hours: US and Canadian customs open 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 pm, daily.

*** Please be sure to upload your arrive can app in Spokane as there is no internet at this border crossing and this could hinder your ability to cross the border.

Paterson Border Crossing

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

Do you have a criminal record or DUI?

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 imperative that 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

*Please note: 

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 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: kootenay gateway

2. Fly Pacific Coastal Airlines (www.pacific-coastal.com) to Trail, BC (YZZ), from Vancouver’s south terminal. This airport is 1 hour from our base, but it is a little more reliable (11% actually) than Castlegar. Book your practicar rental ahead and pick it up directly from the airport (www.practicar.ca).

Private Aircraft

NEW!!! Castlegar is no longer able to clear customs.  This means all private air crafts must first clear customs in Cranbrook, Kelowna, or Vancouver.  Once done you can then land at Castlegar.

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 $250 per person. We do not operate lodge shuttles past 6:30pm. If you are too 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.