Featured Picture: Ryan Creary
THE TRANS CANADA HIGHWAY, in any other case generally known as Freeway 1, stretches from coast to coast to create the nation’s largest roadway. The agricultural mountain city of Revelstoke, B.C. is nestled within the criminal of this large transportation hall however right here, within the Columbia River Valley, the highway doesn’t appear like a lot. Hardly surpassing two lanes, it weaves by way of mountain passes and gorgeous nationwide parks, connecting the cities of Calgary—5 hours east—and Kelowna—two and a half hours west.
The humorous factor about getting into the inside of Western Canada is that your world expands and shrinks concurrently. On the one hand, cities are fewer and farther between—the gaps of wilderness make you assume twice about following indicators to Revelstoke with out first fueling up. Then again, this idyllic mountain city is a powder oasis that gives every part wanted for a full escape. ‘Watch out,” locals say. “You would possibly get Revelstuck.”—each actually and figuratively. You might get bodily caught on the town when avalanche management shuts down the one main highway, otherwise you would possibly simply fall in love with the place and by no means go away.
On my first go to to Revelstoke, I used to be charmed by sidewalks bordered by chiseled, waist-high snowbanks and heritage-style homes that have been adorned with fluffy white mounds. The pure world as I knew it had expanded tenfold, and I by no means seemed again. Mountains dusted by snow in late September, rivers that originate on the base of hanging glaciers and bushes so giant you’d want six individuals to encircle it, arms outstretched. I by no means knew what number of espresso outlets a rural mountain city wanted till they grew to become my neighbors. Or how the three blocks at metropolis heart come to life after a Revelstoke Grizzlies hockey sport—excited followers leaping from bar to bar.
Revelstoke is particular in additional methods than one, however the snowboarding is past comparability. Expansive and distant terrain combines with the world’s solely inland temperate rainforest local weather to create a spot that’s not simply distinctive; it’s one-of-a-kind. Think about the quantity of precipitation in a rainforest, solely it’s snow. That is the explanation that Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR) is residence to a number of world-renowned freeride competitions—the terrain offers an unparalleled snowboarding expertise.
The skilled skiers who name Revelstoke residence would characterize themselves as those who bought figuratively caught right here. Many resident professional skiers like Izzy Lynch, Chris Rubens, Logan Pehota and JJ Vinet got here to Revelstoke to compete within the many competitions hosted right here and, impressed by the world-class venues and terrain, determined to remain put. Lynch ended up shifting to city after a number of journeys that allowed her to discover the newly opened resort in 2008. With essentially the most top-to-bottom vertical ft of any ski resort in North America and three,121 acres of lift-accessed terrain, averaging greater than 34 ft of snow yearly, Lynch says, “I used to be in love with Revelstoke and knew I needed to make it residence.”
Native movie icon Chris Rubens would agree. He got here for the pillow playgrounds however stayed for the individuals. “The straightforward reply is that I got here for the snow,” says Rubens. “The longer story is I stayed for the neighborhood, the summer season and the unbelievable atmosphere surrounding Revelstoke. Even because it will get busier, it‘s nonetheless very easy to search out distant adventures with out touring removed from city. The mountains listed below are sufficient to maintain you busy for a lot of lifetimes of journey.”
Very similar to the terrain, the ski business right here is critical. Rubens says there’s a cause why so {many professional} organizations are primarily based right here—from a myriad of heli and cat ski operations to religious public security organizations like Avalanche Canada. “We will get some actually difficult avalanche circumstances,” he says. “Whereas these are difficult, it has formed me as a skier, having to essentially dive deep into avalanche schooling. You’ll discover that the common leisure skier from Revelstoke may be very dialed-in.”
Very similar to the encompassing mountains, RMR has extra terrain than meets the attention. Whereas a frontside run like Kill The Banker seems to be thrilling with its steep cliff bands, and Separate Actuality calls to you as you journey the aptly-named Stoke Chair, there’s a lot greater than the entrance face of the mountain in case you’re up for an journey.
JJ Vinet is aware of the mountain intimately. The skilled freeskier bought his begin competing within the Freeride World Qualifier collection and dealing as an expert ski patroller at RMR. He says the steepness is what makes the resort’s terrain so distinctive. “A whole lot of the groomed runs require winches on the snowcats simply to groom them,” he says. “There’s additionally loads of in-bounds terrain that you would be able to hike to, and whereas it could be a little bit extra work, it retains the recent snow longer. Once you combine that with the quantity of snow we get and the frequency of these snowfalls, it makes for some nice days.”
I felt the joys of discovering this terrain on one in every of my first journeys. I took a tough left off the Stoke Chair—the mountain’s highest elevate—onto the Lemming Line hike, which, from the chair, seems to be like a colourful conga line of Arc’teryx-clad figures with skis slung over their shoulders. For those who get there early on one of many resort’s considerable pow days, you’ll see a small group of individuals gathered round a solitary patroller who’s guarding the bootpack whereas the avalanche management crew does what they do finest. You higher imagine that you just wish to be there when that rope drops.
The gentle hike doesn’t take lengthy and when you attain the highest, the candy salvation and definition of North Bowl comes into view. At that second, the potential of the general panorama and terrain unfolds—encompassing the rugged peak of Mount Mackenzie, Gracias Ridge and Greeley Bowl. Traverse the bowl to Greeley notch on Gracias Ridge and also you’re virtually assured freshies as you drop into one in every of 5 chutes—Uno, Dos, Tres, Quatro or Cinco—earlier than funneling again into the vast runout of the bowl under the Sub Peak. Take it a step additional and deal with the Yamoto Hike and also you received’t see a soul as you float by way of a future of powder pockets and small cliff drops main all the way down to the Ripper Chair.
RMR has come a good distance since first opening in 2007 and, trying ahead, has formidable plans for continued growth. With simply six lifts constructed out of over 20 proposed within the grasp plan, RMR is on observe for regular enchancment. However the fantastic thing about the present format of the resort is that it retains a wild and free spirit, with virtually zero elevate traces.
Experiencing the abundance of world- famend terrain at RMR is a ceremony of passage for any professional skier. My notion of the pure world expanded upon shifting to Revelstoke, as did my connection to this place. To me, the hidden ski zones change into much more intriguing when discovering or reaching them requires effort—problem-solving, navigating troublesome terrain and even understanding the proper individual to inform you about them. In Revelstoke, the hidden experiences have change into a day by day lifestyle, however I’m nonetheless exploring and discovering, from discovering new zones on the resort to immersing myself within the distinctive neighborhood. Day-after-day, the terrain reveals extra, and the key continues to unfold.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort
BASE ELEVATION: 1,680 ft
SUMMIT ELEVATION: 7,300 ft
VERTICAL RELIEF: 5,620 ft
SKIABLE ACRES: 3,121
LIFTS: 6
AVG. ANNUAL SNOWFALL: 416 inches
LOGISTICS
GETTING THERE
By AirKelowna Airport (YLW): Often called the gatewayto Revelstoke, YLW gives day by day continuous flights from a number of cities within the U.S. and Canada and is a 2.5 hour drive from Revy. Shuttle providers and automotive shuttle schedules are a-plenty to seamlessly arrive on time for recent tracks.
Revelstoke Airport (YRV): Situated a mere two miles from Revelstoke, YRV’s flight value tags are definitely worth the respectable in case you’re extra on the hunt for a fast weekend jaunt.
By LandFor those that want the scenic route from the bottom to start out their ski journey ventures, driving Revy permits the powder lovers the flexibleness of chasing the storms. Whereas the drive will contain trusty tires and most well-liked 4WD, the journey will outweigh the white-knuckle moments. Make sure you keep updated with DriveBC for stay highway situation updates.
WHERE TO STAY
The Sutton Place HotelThe solely ski-in/ski-out resort on the resort, the Sutton Place Resort gives hosts three on-site eating services—no stroll mode wanted. Their rooms can accommodate all kinds of get together sizes from studio-sized rooms to 3 bed room condos (additionally pup-friendly).
Stoke HotelThis funky, boutique model resort sits alongside the attractive Columbia River and is located smack dab in between downtown Revelstoke and the resort. Add a comfy ambiance, a newly renovated out of doors sizzling tub and a complimentary shuttle service to/ from the resort and take into account us booked.
VRGE HotelThis resort caters in the direction of essentially the most diehard of out of doors lovers. The VRGE gives a variety of resort room sizes together with bunk choices and occupies its total third flooring with an open-use kitchen and lounge. Solely a ten minute stroll from residence, you’ll end up within the coronary heart of all of it.
LOCAL TIPS
FOOD & DRINKS
Logan Pehota — EAT ON RESORT “The spicy crispy rooster burger on the Rockford on the base of the resort is a go-to, or the Smash burgers at Mackenzie Outpost on the prime of the gondola. You’ll be able to’t go flawed with both!”
JJ Vinet — INDULGE IN TOWN “The Village Fool has a laid-back ambiance with a fairly large menu. A go-to must be The Higher Burger with no mushrooms, a facet Caesar salad and an order of sizzling sauce.
JJ Vinet —Monashee Spirits Craft Distillery makes bespoke cocktails and has a HUGE spirits index. I’m a fan of Scotch, and so they have one of many largest whiskey choices in Canada. A pleasant peaty Islay is all the time a favourite, however their smoked Negroni is out of this world, and their Monashee Mule, a tackle a traditional Moscow Mule, has bought to be one of many freshest and finest mules I’ve ever had.”
BEYOND THE RESORT
Ski touring close to Revelstoke on the enduring Roger’s Go is not any secret however the terrain simply outsidethe resort is nearer, and equally gorgeous. Rent Revelstoke Backcountry Guides to point out you the steep, powder-laden bushes of Montana Bowl, the place the 2024 Pure Choice Tour happened, or crest the Ridge of Kokanee Bowl for breathtaking views of Mount Cartier.
Make the most of being within the heli-ski capital of Canada and e book a visit with with Selkirk Tangiers, Mica, CMH or Eagle Go to discover the terrain that makes Revelstoke, B.C., a must-visit-ski vacation spot.
