Revy, or Revelstoke to the uninitiated, is a favourite among those who love the steep and deep of British Columbia – along with those searching for unique adventures for their snow holidays.
Nestled in between the Selkirk Mountains and Glacier National Park, close to both Kelowna and Kamloops, this is a town that was built on mining and railway. Despite now being on the world stage as being home to one of the most epic ski resorts in Canada, it’s maintained the authentic feel of a place that knows what it’s like to work hard and play hard.
With so much to do here, we have some inside tips on our favourite activities throughout the area to suit the entire family, along with every level of skier and boarder.
Go skiing, of course
There are no less than 3121 acres (1263 hectares) of skiing and snowboarding terrain to explore in the resort, with over 40 runs and five chairlifts. And while the resort has a reputation for being pretty gnarly – in a good way, of course – there’s truly something here for everyone.
Beginners will appreciate the learning zones across the mountain, along with the green run, The Last Spike, which runs all the way from top to bottom and allows them to experience all 5620 feet (1713 metres) of vertical.
Intermediates will love the groomers, or the tree runs, which are some of the best to be found in British Columbia; and advanced skiers and boarders will be in their element with the wide-open alpine bowls, ridges and steeps.
With up to 69 feet (18 metres) of snowfall here each season, all natural, you’re essentially guaranteed a good time. Just make sure you’re up early on a powder day to nab first lifts. You know what they say….no friends on a powder day.
Experience the snowmobiling
Some of the world’s professional snowmobilers call Revelstoke home, and it’s easy to see why. Whether you’re going out on a guided tour or confidently exploring the trails on your own, there are plenty of options to discover across the alpine playground.
There’s a Revelstoke Snowmobile Club where you’ll find plenty of info, and several tour operators scattered around town to book with.
Get into the backcountry
If you’re ready to earn your turns, the backcountry of Revelstoke is the best way to do so. You’ll find some of the deepest, driest snow in the world, alongside moderate winter temperatures.
With the Monashee and Selkirk Mountain ranges both up for exploration, it’s best to hire a guide if you’re new to the area; they’ll be able to choose the perfect area to match up with your fitness, goals and skills. With safety always the primary consideration, expert guides will assist in reading over the avalanche forecast beforehand to ensure your safety adventuring in complex terrain.
Go cat or heli skiing
It’s a big one to tick off the bucket list, and where better to do it? Revelstoke is the heli skiing capital of the world, with no less than four heli skiing companies based out of the town. There are a variety of single day and multi-day options to choose from, with something for everyone, whether it’s your first day as a heli-skier or one of many.
Cat skiing is another possibility, and it’s especially well-suited to those who have already tried heli skiing or who don’t quite have the budget to stretch to it. Imagine lap after lap of powder skiing and boarding, with a snowcat ready to take you back up to the top when your run is complete. You can choose to join a group as a solo rider or look to fill an entire cat with your friends – the choice is yours.
We’ve had client tick both cat and heli skiing off their bucket list, so we can give you the inside scoop on what to expect, share stories and get you pumped, ready for your own backcountry adventures.
Get star gazing
There’s nothing like a cold, crisp, winter’s night in a small Canadian town to encourage you to look up and realise just how spectacular the night sky can be.
Staying in Revelstoke, you’re on the doorstep of Mount Revelstoke National Park, a 260 square-kilometre park that is rich in activities. Locals recommend driving up the Meadows in the Sky parkway at night for stargazing – even better if you can bring binoculars.
Try dogsledding
Everyone loves dogsledding for a unique experience, and Revelstoke is no exception. The entire family will be thrilled as a team of Alaskan racing huskies whisk you around snowy trails and over hills among spectacular scenery.
The team will also teach you all about the sport, the history of dog sledding in Revelstoke and why the pips are so keen to be up and racing.
A little bit of après action
There’s only one way to wind down after all those adventures, and that’s by discovering the local brews and spirits on offer with a cheeky après beverage or two. Mt. Begbie Brewery is one favourite; an amazing local brewery that has been brewing since 1996, they create their beer from the surrounding mountain water.
Or there’s Monashee Spirits, named ‘Canada’s Best Apres Distillery’ by FORBES. They produce small batch, organic spirits and absolutely everything is local; from the grains to the honey they use to ferment. Their ethos is that nothing they make there can be made exactly the same anywhere else in the world, and you can really taste the difference.
There’s plenty more to be found around downtown Revelstoke, so have a wander, pick your favourite and sample a brew or two.
A couple of our favourite local spots are The Quartermaster Eatery and the Old School House Trattoria. There is no shortage of decent coffee as well – head to La Baguette, Dose Coffee and The Modern.
Ready to visit Revelstoke? Click here to speak to one of our experts and book your next adventure there.
