Men's Journal

Join some of the crazies descending on Nelson, B.C., for this weekend's Cold Smoke Powder Fest. Photo credit: Courtesy Angela Percival/Arc'teryx

Since the last days of February provide some of the deepest powder of the year, we give you the best places to get your skiing, sled dog racing, and even snowkiting fix this weekend.

By Christian DeBenedetti and Cannon Kinnard

Kootenay Cold Smoke Powder Fest, February 20-23
Nelson, British Columbia

The Third Annual Kootenay Cold Smoke Powder Fest kicks off in Nelson, B.C.’s tiny Whitewater ski area, located in what’s known as the Powder Triangle, thanks to 300 feet of annual snowfall. Twice daily, pros like Eric Pehota (a star of 2007’s big mountain ski film Steep) lead small (usually 4-7 persons) seminars on the fundamentals of steep and tree skiing, not to mention avalanche safety and general backcountry skills. Half-serious slalom races (read: in costume), slope-style competitions, local ski films, photo competitions, and beer-fueled parties in the old lodge round out the draw ($445 per person for 3 days, $315 for 2 days; mountaingear.com/coldsmoke).

Accommodations and Travel: Individual event tickets are also available at the Cold Smoke website here, but if you do spring for the two- and three-day options you’ll get free shuttle service to and from all events. The best options for everything from hotels to hostels can be found at the Whitewater Winter Resort website (skiwhitewater.com).

UP 200 Sled Dog Race, February 20
Marquette, Michigan

The self-proclaimed “Queen City of the North” will host its 20th annual Upper Peninsula sled dog race starting this Friday. You won’t be able to join any of the 40 teams on the grueling 240-mile race, but after watching the dogs mush off the starting line you can fall in with the expected 15,000 other spectators to partake in the town’s festivities. Take a walk through local artists’ ice-sculpture creations and enjoy the Kitty Mutt Race — a kid’s mini-dog sled race for future mushing champs (free; up200.org). For a cross-country ski or snowshoe fix, visit the nearby Harlow Lake Ski Trail. Just a few miles from the UP 200 finish line, this trail has both groomed and skier-set tracks. Bring your own equipment, or rent from the SkiGuys in Marquette.

Accommodations and Travel: Located on the edge of Lake Superior, access to Marquette by plane is difficult (it’s 229 miles to the nearest airport), so you might want to consider putting together your own sled dog team just to get there. Check out the city’s website for places to stay (marquettemi.com)

Kite Soldiers, February 20-22
Fairfield, Idaho

This weekend, snowkiters of all skill levels are invited to compete on more than 1,500 vertical feet of Idaho’s most pristine mountain resort terrain. Participants will fight their way up Mt. Soldier, competing in a reckless poker game: Snowkiters will navigate their way through either three (beginner) or five (intermediate/advanced) checkpoints, collecting a poker card at each stop. At the finish line, they’ll show their hands to win everything from snowboards to backpacks ($45 for five-card event, $40 for three; snowkitesoldier.com/events). If cards and hurdling over mountains aren’t your game, you can watch the entire event for free, take part in free kite clinics throughout the weekend, and get a peek at Idaho’s first backcountry terrain park, which will be unveiled this weekend.

Accommodations and Travel: The best way to get there is to fly into the Friedman Memorial Airport, located 14 miles from the resort area, or catch the twice-daily $50 shuttle from the Boise airport. The Sun Valley Lodge is the best place to set up camp for the weekend (sunvalley.com).

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