Any time spent in the Nelson area is time well spent. The area is teeming with good food, good people and good shredding. Straight up. Our first day up at Whitewater was met with a virtual empty parking lot, a colourful local guide, and VIP treatment from the resort crew. We were hitting this spot fairly late in the season, and it's been a light winter, so we weren't too sure what to expect in terms of conditions. Our guide, Orry, was born and raised in the area and knew exactly where to take us to make work of a few spots.

After a few warmup laps, we didn't have to venture far to find an in-bounds cliff band loaded with spines, trees, diving board drops and pillows. That's the beauty of this place. Even with its relatively small size (and that's all about to change with a master plan build out about to get underway), there are oodles of zones to session and hike off to in search of undiscovered gems. The locals are here to reap the rewards of the surrounding bounty and most are interested in touring the sidecountry aspects of the terrain here in search for perfect lines. Dave Short fit in quickly making work of several different features over the course of the day. Even Orry got into it, throwing massive backflips off a super high ledge for Dalby's clicking camera.

One day was just not enough time to get the full scope of how diverse the terrain is here so we decided to spend a few extra days in Nelson to get a better idea. Next day we headed to Ainsworth hotsprings and spent some time on the shores of Kootenay Lake before dining on hands-down the best meal we'd all had in some time at local hot spot All Seasons Cafe. Do yourself a favour and make a reservation at this culinary enclave next time you're in the area. Order the Ahi Tuna with black pepper crust, you won't regret it.

After dinner, we were lucky enough to be retiring for the night at one of Nelson's finest hotels — the Prestige Lakeside Resort — right on the shores of Kootenay Lake. For the more discerning traveler, this place is a gem and only moderately more expensive than some of the grimier hotels downtown. But since you are only a few blocks away, it's easy to take in some of the nearby pubs and restaurants and be within a short walk of your pillow. The lobby gives you a feeling of elegance and the rooms have all received a modern touch, certainly a everything-taken-care-for-you refuge after a day of riding out in the mountains.

Dave all business in the morning before heading up to Whitewater.

No modern lifts here, and that's a good thing. It's about the riding afterall, isn't it?

Dave thinks so as he gets back to snowboarding's roots with this Japan grab off a drop at Whitewater.

Spooky larch trees.

Not limited to the terrain, the lodge grub at Whitewater rivals that of any major resort in North America. Fresh, organic ingredients at the same price as a stale burger anywhere else.

It was definitely enough to fuel up for an afternoon session.

Dave strapped his snowboard boots into Leah Evans' skis and ripped the bank off the parking lot.

Shores of Kootenay Lake.

Dalby in front of the lens for a change.

Tough choices at All Seasons Cafe in Nelson.

After a day of riding, it doesn't get much more inviting than this. Prestige Lakeside Resort, Nelson, BC.