Powder to the People: Exploring the User Experience and Ski Area Design Elements of the Hankin-Evelyn Backcountry Ski Area

Abstract

North America’s first officially designated backcountry ski area, the Hankin-Evelyn Backcountry Ski Area (Hankin) in northern British Columbia, offers mountain communities seeking alternative recreational amenities an interesting model to emulate. The aim of the research is to explore backcountry ski area design by assessing the quality of both the ski area design elements and the ski experience at Hankin. A case study and a questionnaire were used to gather information about the ski experience and site design. Analysis explores the desired ski experience reported in the questionnaires and the preferred ski area design elements obtained from the case study, direct observations and the questionnaires. Conclusions suggest ski area design elements affect the quality of the ski experience and that backcountry skiers desire a wilderness experience. Findings can be used to inform the design of these unique wilderness recreation areas and expand upon the current knowledge of ski area design.