Ski Town Breweries in British Columbia
Special to Road Trips for Foodies
By Destination British Columbia
Craft breweries are popping up everywhere in British Columbia, Canada, including in ski towns and resorts where a cold one is the perfect end to a downhill day and an ideal après-ski starter.
Order a flight of beers brewed on-site at Whistler’s popular Brewhouse, sample Coast Mountain Brewing’s offerings at Function Junction, or prowl Village restaurants and pubs for an on-tap pint from Whistler Brewing Co. You could leave the organizing to Canadian Craft Tours and take in three Whistler breweries, or opt for the trio of hot spots in nearby, adventure-active Squamish, including Howe Sound Brewing, rated one of BC’s best for food and beer. Two newer kids on the Squamish block are A-Frame Brewing Company and Backcountry Brewing.
Vancouver Island has long been on BC’s craft beer forefront and continues with breweries around powder heaven Mount Washington Alpine Resort—there’s Forbidden Brewing Co. and Gladstone Brewing Company in Courtenay/Comox and Cumberland Brewing Co. in charming, historic Cumberland.
The Thompson Okanagan’s three ski resorts boast a strong craft beer culture. Kelowna, near Big White Ski Resort, has been home to ground-breaking Tree Brewing Co. since 1996. Head down the road to BNA Brewing Co. for beer and bowling on their new 10-pin lanes. Vernon, near SilverStar Mountain Resort, has Marten Brewing Co. After a day at Apex Mountain Resort, Penticton has three hot spots to prowl: Bad Tattoo Brewing Company, Cannery Brewing, and Tin Whistle Brewing Company. Apex also hosts an annual craft beer, cider, and spirits festival called Brewski every February.
Over in Kamloops near Sun Peaks Resort, Noble Pig Brewhouse offers fine pub fare to accompany their brews, and Red Collar Brewing Co. serves pints and various nibbles.
Pair skiing with beer in the Kootenay Rockies, and sample pours from Mt. Begbie Brewing Co. at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. In Golden, see how Whitetooth Brewing Co. is quenching skiers’ thirsts at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. After a great run at Panorama Mountain Resort or Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, sip a little something from Arrowhead Brewing Company located in nearby Invermere. Following a day at Fernie Alpine Resort, Fernie Brewing Co. has cold ones to sample back in town.
Skiers needn’t go dry at Whitewater Ski Resort either with Torchlight Brewing Co. and the 1991 veteran of organic beers, the Nelson Brewing Company, in nearby Nelson. And finally, pop into Rossland Beer Co. after a day on RED Mountain Resort or plan to be there March 15 and 16, 2019, for Beer Goggles Craft Brew Fest, a two-day craft beer celebration for those who are “Thirsty for Beer, and Hungry for Powder!”
(Photos courtesy of Coast Mountain Brewing and Whitetooth Brewing Company)