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980 m · 07:00 · Sixmile road plowed to town

The end of the plowed road

We are in Muleshoe, BC, an old silver-mining town at the top of the Sixmile road switchbacks, where the plowing stops and the tenure begins. It takes some getting to, and that is the point: nobody ends up here by accident. Fly into Castlegar or Kelowna, drive the valley in, and we take it from town.

the two airports

Castlegar

YCG · about 2.5 hours

The closest airport and the one most guests use. It puts you in the West Kootenay valley with the shortest drive up to town. Small airport, mountain weather, so the odd flight gets held; build a little slack into your travel day and you will be fine. The Muleshoe shuttle meets flights here.

Kelowna

YLW · about 4.5 hours drive

The bigger, more reliable airport with more flights and fewer weather holds. It is a longer valley drive in, so a lot of guests fly into Kelowna, pick up a car, and make an afternoon of the drive. A good choice if your home connection into Castlegar is awkward.

the muleshoe shuttle

Let someone else drive

Most guests park the rental at the airport and ride in with the Muleshoe shuttle, our transfer partner running the valley from Castlegar. It meets the flights we point it at, handles the winter road for you, and drops you at the lodge door. It is the easiest way in, and it means nobody in your group is driving switchbacks in the dark after a travel day. Ask us and we will book the timing to match your flights.

if you drive yourself

Winter road notes

  • Proper winter tires are not optional on the Sixmile road, and in a storm you want chains in the trunk.
  • The last stretch is unlit switchbacks. Drive it in daylight your first time if you possibly can.
  • Fuel up in the valley. The last reliable pump is well below town, so arrive with a full tank.
  • Give the drive more time than the map says. Winter and switchbacks do not care about a routing estimate.
  • Call us from the valley if the weather looks big. We know the road and will tell you straight whether to push on or wait.

1,540 m · the last switchback

Dinner is on when you arrive.

980 m · when the weather closes the road

It happens, and we plan for it

A few times a winter, a big storm closes the pass or the road for a while. We will not pretend otherwise, and we will not let you drive into it. The same snow that closes the road is the snow that fills the basin, so this is a feature of the place, not a failure of it.

When it happens, we adjust. We move your days, hold your spot, and get you up the moment the road opens. The board bends around the weather every winter and everyone still gets their skiing. What we do not do is send anyone onto a closed road to keep a schedule.

If the road closes

  • We call you before you leave the valley.
  • We move your ski days, not lose them.
  • Your spot at the lodge is held.
  • You go up the moment the road is open and safe.

the last word before you leave

Not sure about the drive? Call us

We would rather talk you through the road, the shuttle, and the timing than have you guess. Tap to call and we will sort the whole trip in a few minutes.

Call 1-250-555-0184Book your seat