Powder Mountain Icefield

Powder Mountain Icefield is a vast glacial expanse in the Pacific Ranges of southwestern British Columbia. The formation stretches between the Squamish River valley on its western edge and Callaghan Valley to the east, with Mount Cayley rising as a central geographic anchor.

The area became the subject of ski resort development proposals in the mid-1980s, triggering legal disputes over its future use. The Supreme Court of British Columbia rendered a decision in 1999 that shaped the outcome of these contested plans.

The eastern side of the icefield borders Callaghan Valley, which later became the location for Nordic events during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The site sits roughly 20 kilometers west of Whistler and about 90 kilometers north of Vancouver in a mountainous region. Access can be restricted during certain seasons due to snow and weather conditions that make the terrain challenging to navigate.

The formation contains volcanic rock features like Ember Ridge and Slag Hill composed of stone with up to 70 percent glass content. These unusual formations were created through subglacial volcanic activity occurring beneath the ice.

Location: British Columbia

GPS coordinates: 50.14690,-123.27700

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:06