Rainbow Valley Ski Area is a real fun hill, usually great weather & easily accessed. It's the local hill for people in Nelson or Blenheim & is great for families with safe slopes. There is a terrain park & steep slopes here & there for the guns, but mostly it's cruisy skiing. There is an active race department with training most weekends & several good quality GS & slalom events throughout the season (ex Olympic racers have trained & raced here - true!) with Big-air comps & such for the boarders. One t-bar & 3 drag lifts, snowmaking, good snow-farming. Friendly locals & lifties, great cafe, ski school 7 days, and quite cheap skiing. Spend a couple of days here & everyone will know you.