The Through the Lens series offers insight to some of the best destinations in the world from the perspective of some of our favorite photographers.

For many outdoors enthusiasts, the mystical Powder Highway is the top of winter bucket lists the world over, but for photographer Ashley Voykin, it's simply home. Raised in Interior British Columbia and living in Rossland, BC, Voykin has carved a career from the rugged nature out her backdoor, including publishing work with outdoors outlets like Powder, tourism boards, and commercial clients like IKON Pass.

When she's not out shooting, she's ripping around RED Mountain Resort, biking through immense pine forests or soaking up the small town charm in Rossland. We caught up with Voykin to tap into the best her hometown has to offer. Here's Rossland, BC, through the lens.

Best Cup of Coffee

Seven Summits Coffee. It's locally roasted and a great early morning stop on the way to the ski hill or the bike trails.

Favorite Cocktail

The Velvet Restaurant and Lounge on the slopes of RED Mountain at the Josie Hotel. My go-to cocktail is the Mountain Mule, and throw in an order of the crispy calamari. Best enjoyed on the slopeside deck during the spring time, while soaking up the sunshine.

Favorite Quick Bite

Rossland is graced with what I'd consider the best grocery store (and deli!) in the Kootenay region, Ferraro Foods. Their sandwich counter has a few different options for sandwiches, and you can select your own toppings to go with them. The Grimaldi is packed with spicy meats, and they load you up with veggies. While also delicious, it is a great bang for your buck. I highly recommend adding the crispy onions.

Best Sunset

My most memorable sunrises in Rossland have either been from on top of, or looking out at the tallest peak in the Rossland Range: Old Glory. There’s a historic fire lookout tower at the summit, and sunrises are as incredible from inside of it as they are looking up at it from the Seven Summits Trail below.

Favorite Spot for a Night Out

B&T’s Hardknock Cafe. You can party hard and then come back early the next morning for the best breakfast and brunch in town.

Best People Watching

Alpine Grind Coffeehouse & Eatery has the best view of downtown Rossland. As far as towns go, Rossland is fairly quiet but the windows at Alpine Grind are my favorite spot to look out onto the street and see everyone going about their day.

Favorite Place to Get Outside

Just a short drive from Rossland is Strawberry Pass (Highway 3B) and an extensive network of day-use cabins. There are 12 different volunteer maintained cabins to explore either by skis/snowshoes in the winter, or hiking in the summer. Each cabin has its own character and it’s a great spot to stop in and warm up during a winter ski tour, or to visit with friends for a potluck get-together.

Best Outdoor Activity

Skiing at RED Mountain Resort, or touring the backcountry in the Rossland Range.

Favorite Ski Zone

Any terrain off the Motherlode Chair and Granite Mountain at RED Mountain Resort. There’s 360 degrees of skiing off the top, so there’s lots to choose from. If there’s sunshine and fresh powder, you’ll find me lapping the south facing slopes of the mountain on runs like Powderfields, and Ledges.

Best Après

Rafters at RED Mountain is located quite literally within the upper floor and rafters of the base lodge. The best way to finish a ski day is seated together with friends, sharing a large plate of nachos, a few jugs of beer, and watching the snowcats groom the slopes out the window.

Best Season

Winter, and not just because of the fantastic skiing! There’s a love of winter here that is
infectious, no matter what sport you pass the cold months of the year with.

The entire town comes together to celebrate the season with the annual Rossland Winter Carnival, which is Canada’s longest running winter carnival since 1898. There’s the bobsled race going through the streets of town, a rail jam, music every night, ice sculptures, the annual parade, and so much more.

Favorite Tourist Trap

Rossland doesn’t have anywhere that fits the bill for a traditional tourist trap, but the Rossland Museum is a must stop to learn about the rich mining and skiing history which shaped Rossland into the town it is today.

Why Rossland?

I grew up not far from Rossland, just 20 minutes to the North in a small community called Genelle. Winter school trips were to the ski hill, and in the summer I would take swimming lessons at the community pool in downtown Rossland.

I moved to Rossland for skiing, photography, and work, but the community is what’s kept me here. Rossland is a bit off the beaten path, and you have to put in a degree of effort to visit here, let alone move here. The people here are equally as passionate about powder days as they are about building a strong community, and it makes for a wonderful place to live.