Revelstoke Skiing & Snowboarding Resort Guide
It is difficult to come up with superlatives to explain Revelstoke Mountain Resort. To put it simply, the mountain is big, the vertical drop is bigger, and the terrain is some of the best lift accessed skiing and snowboarding in North America. The on-mountain infrastructure is bare-bones, with only one Gondola and two chairlifts access the mountain’s 3,121 acres of skiable terrain, however, it’s just enough to get around and experience the bounty of steep chute, couloirs, and pillows. The town of Revelstoke has fully embraced the mountain culture and is home to some hard core local skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers. The town is also home to several heli skiing and cat skiing operations.
Photo: Royce Sihlis/Revelstoke Mountain Resort
Arriving at the base of Revelstoke Mountain Resort is very deceptive. Skiers and snowboarders are greeted by the base area village, and the bottom of the Revelation Gondola, with only one beginner run accessing it. The gondola then takes skiers and snowboarders up a whopping 3,839’ of vertical to access the mountain.
From the gondola, revelstoke is a tale of two mountains. There is the terrain below the gondola, and the terrain above the gondola off of the two chairlifts, The Stoke Chair and The Ripper. The gondola has one mid-station. Below the mid-station there are a couple beginner and intermediate runs. The snow is often wet and sticky down here due to the lower elevation, however. Between the top of the gondola and the mid-station, there are some good intermediate and advanced groomers, as well as some expert glades. The glades, like Kill the Banker, can be a good first run as the upper mountain waits for ski patrol to do avalanche control work.
Above the gondola is the terrain that Revelstoke is famous for. The Stoke Chair is accessible from the top of the gondola, and accesses terrain for all abilities. This is where The Last Spike run starts, a beginner run that winds its way nearly 10 miles all the way back to the village. While there is intermediate terrain here, The Ripper Chair is more suited to intermediate skiers and snowboarders.
Options for advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders really open up from the top of the Stoke Chair. After a big snowstorm it will usually take ski patrol some time to perform avalanche control work and safely open North Bowl. This means that the mornings are usually spent on the Stoke Chair exploring Separate Reality and South Bowl.
North Bowl is home to many of the gnarly, steep and technical lines at Revelstoke. Once ski patrol opens the bowl, take the small hike and traverse over from the top of the Stoke Chair. Some of the lines that drop into North Bowl are accessed by hiking farther up the ridge. From here, runs either drop towards the top of The Ripper Chair, or traverse into Greely Bowl. The runs, lines, ridges and glades out here are full of features to jump off of and jib on. Some of the big lines are technical and gnarly, make sure you scout your lines carefully before hiking out and committing. Make friends with the locals to learn the names and secrets of this area.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort offers not only all of this great lift-served skiing and snowboarding, but also cat skiing, and heli skiing with the Selkirk Tangiers.
Revelstoke is somewhat remote, located on the bank of the Columbia River in Interior British Columbia, however, getting there isn’t as hard as it seems. Driving, Revelstoke Mountains Resort is about two and a half hours from Kelowna, four and a half hours from Calgary, and six hours from both Spokane and Vancouver. These are the closest cities with airports. There is a shuttle from the Kelowna airport to Revelstoke. Once in town, there are buses around town and from town to the resort.
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Getting to Revelstoke
Revelstoke is somewhat remote, located on the bank of the Columbia River in Interior British Columbia, however, getting there isn’t as hard as it seems. Driving, Revelstoke Mountains Resort is about two and a half hours from Kelowna, four and a half hours from Calgary, and six hours from both Spokane and Vancouver. These are the closest cities with airports. There is a shuttle from the Kelowna airport to Revelstoke. Once in town, there are buses around town and from town to the resort.
Getting to Revelstoke
There is lodging available at the base of the mountain or in the town of Revelstoke. The Sutton Place Hotel is just steps away from the gondola, offering unmatched convenience. Down in town there is a wider range of options, including more budget friendly hotels. The Regent Hotel is a favorite, and very nicely located. The Swiss Chalet Motel is one of the preferred budget choices and has a mountain shuttle stop right outside the door.
Big Revelstoke Lodging Overview
Regent Hotel
Swiss Chalet Motel
Regent Hotel
Swiss Chalet Motel
Our Favorite Snowboards Revelstoke
Local Food Picks
On the mountain and in the village Revelstoke has plenty of restaurants and cafes to keep hungry skiers and snowboarders satisfied. After a long day on the slopes, there are lots of dining options down in town, too. Wednesday is wing night at the Big Eddy, head there for half priced wings. The Village Idiot is good ski town bar and grill, the pizza is good and the pulled-pork poutine is even better. The River City Pub at The Regent Hotel is usually a pretty happening spot after-hours.The Big Eddy
The Village Idiot
River City Pub at The Regent
Our Favorite Skis For Revelstoke
Where to Find Lift Tickets to Revelstoke?
Revelstoke ski and snowboard lift tickets are averagely priced compared to the other large Interior British Columbia ski and snowboard resorts like Big White and Fernie. Children, youth, and seniors all receive discount Fernie lift tickets. Purchasing lift tickets online, at least seven days in advance can save up to %40 off of the window price.Revelstoke Conditions & Weather Information
Rather than reporting an average annual snowfall, Revelstoke Mountain reports gives a range of between 30’ and 45’ annually. On a good year, it can snow over 500”, and a “low year” is still over 350”. This all means that there is a lot of powder at Revelstoke. The abundance of storms does mean that there can be low visibility on the mountain, so be prepared for changing conditions.Revelstoke Ski Report
Local Avalanche Report
While it has been developing rapidly since opening in 2007, Revelstoke Mountain Resort still lacks the crowds and busyness of other large ski and snowboard areas in North America. This due, in part, to its remote location. However, those skiers and snowboarders that do make it out to Revelstoke are rewarded with deep powder riding on some of the best inbounds terrain in British Columbia.
