British Columbia, Canada, is a haven for skiers. The province offers diverse terrain shaped by the towering peaks of the Coast and Columbia mountain ranges. Among its standout locations is Revelstoke Mountain Resort, home to North America's largest vertical drop. With steep chutes, expansive glades, deep snowpacks, and legendary powder, Revelstoke draws adventurers from across the globe.
If you’re itching to revel in the stoke and want to maximize your experience, let this trip planner guide you to the slopes.
The Revelstoke Ski Resort
Revelstoke Mountain Resort sits on Mount Mackenzie boasting a vertical drop of 1,713 m (5,620 ft). It offers 75 ski runs and 55 km of slopes spread over 3100 acres of skiable terrain. The resort village is tiny, offering a couple eateries, a single hotel and a few chalet rentals. The majority of guests stay in the nearby town of Revelstoke.
Revelstoke’s tall and skinny layout makes it hard to get lost here. The ski resort is best organized by dividing it into Lower Mountain, Upper Mountain and North Bowl.
Lower Mountain
Lower Mountain terrain refers to anything that can be accessed by the Revelation Gondola, a two-stage gondola with a vertical of 1,170 m (3839 ft).
Revelation I and II require disembarkation at mid-station. Your best advice is to stay at mid-station and above when it's busy, as this becomes a major muster point.
Lower Mountain terrain is classed as intermediate, except for two green runs, a few black runs, and some advanced glades.
Upper Mountain
Also known as South Bowl, Upper Mountain consists of top-to-bottom black groomed runs, steep double black alpine terrain, two green runs, and a couple bowls.
To access this ski area, take the Stoke Chair from Revelation to be whisked into the alpine. Lapping Stoke Chair is most certainly a crowd favourite given the fast-flowing groomed terrain
North Bowl
Finally, North Bowl is home to Revelstoke's impressive alpine learning area. Beginners can learn to ski or snowboard at Canada’s highest learning area. A mixture of meandering green and blue runs twist through large gladed skiing areas. The views up here are excellent and it's usually a quiet spot to hangout for some easy skiing.
Higher up in North Bowl, you’ll find hike-able terrain which takes you to the Sub Peak. Narrow chutes, cliffbands, windlips and drops into steep bowls welcome expert level riders.
The Denver Dollars Chair services the easier runs in North Bowl.
Best Runs at Revelstoke
For the novice skier, The Last Spike might just be the most fun and flowy green run you’ll ever ski. Over 15 km (1 mi), it starts right at the peak dropping into South Bowl.
Intermediate runs are plentiful around Revelstoke. Wolly Bully and Chopper are two with great fall lines.
For black runs, Kill the Banker sits right under the Revelation II gondola and offers an off-piste playground that’s long and steep.
Devil’s Club is your go to fast black diamond groomer. If you’re looking for advanced glade runs try Gnarnia and Critical Path. Both rated expert, these ru sit on either side of the gondola.
Finally, take the hike to the Sub Peak and drop into North Bowl. You’ll forget you’re still in bounds at a ski resort.
Revelstoke Snow and Weather Conditions
Revelstoke Mountain Resort is world famous for its snow. Each season, the resort gets a whopping 12 m (40 ft) of snow with some years getting even more. It’s the light and fluffy champagne powder dreams are made of, making it a great destination for powderhounds and heli-ski enthusiasts.
Temperatures range from -5°C to -15°C (23°F to 5°F) during the winter. Temperatures rise slightly in March and warm up more in April. Because of the resort’s massive vertical, temperatures can vary 10°C from the base to the peak.
To stay warm and dry amid varying temperatures, you should pack breathable layers and an outer shell.
For ski and snowboard equipment, you will be fine with something All-Mountain oriented. However, if you have free-ride equipment, definitely bring it or consider renting gear from a service.
Maximizing Your Experience
Are you wondering whether to stay in Revelstoke's resort village or the Town of Revelstoke? How to get around between town and the resort? Après and off-slope activities? Here are all the details you'll need for planning.
Accommodation
In Resort Lodging
To stay at the ski resort, there’s only one hotel option. Located right at the base, the Sutton Place offers luxurious condo-style suites with a pool, hot tub, and a few eateries.
In Town Lodging
Six kilometres down the road in the Town of Revelstoke, Mackenzie Plaza offers two and three bedroom condos. Places like this make you feel right at home with a full kitchen and ample space to relax. Amenities include a dedicated resort shuttle, parking, and more.
Transportation
Although you could rent a car, you’re not going to need it. A resort shuttle will get you to and from the ski resort and Revelstoke Public Transit will get you around town.
Après Ideas
If you're looking for old school ski vibes you'll find it at The Village Idiot, Mackenzie Common Tavern and Rockford Bar. Here, you can usually find trivia, karaoke and other events nightly. The town's only nightclub, Traverse, is where you can get your boogie on.
Dining options are plentiful here and include Canadian, Italian, Asian, Mexican, Steak and sushi. La Baguette is a quaint little spot for breakfast and lunch. Woolsey Creek Bistro is a popular upscale eatery for a high quality dining experience.
Off Slope Activities
The resort offers many unique outdoor activities that rival the fun you can have on the slopes.
Heli Skiing and Backcountry Touring
The mountains around Revelstoke offer some of the best and most accessible heli-skiing and ski touring. Multiple operators offer tours for intermediate and above skiers in the Monashee and Selkirk Ranges. Each range offers slightly different snow conditions so your experience for heli-skiing and backcountry touring will vary.
Ski touring options here are plentiful with lots of choice for difficulty and distance. Seasoned backcountry skiers can look towards Montanna Bowl, The Fingers on Mount Macpherson. Talk to a Lodging Company Travel Consultant if this is something of interest to you. They can connect you with local and reputable guides.
Nordic Skiing and Snowshoeing
There are 30 km (18 mi) of Nordic and snowshoe trails available for those looking for a lower impact activity to try.
Ice Skating
In town, the local arena puts on regular skating sessions which cater to families.
What’s Next?
From the terrain to the activities, a Revelstoke ski vacation will surely offer excitement, adrenaline and a ton of natural snow. While the resort is perfect for the advanced skier and snowboarder, there are multiple options for all ability levels.
Find your passion for winter in the mountains. Reach out to The Lodging Company to plan your vacation to Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
Originally from Northern Ontario, Anthony now calls Whistler, Canada home. As an outdoor enthusiast with a passion for science and tourism writing, he chases excitement and communicates his experiences through his work. Anthony holds CASI 2 and CSIA 1 certifications. He has over eight years of teaching and coaching experience as a snowsports instructor and 20+ seasons of skiing and snowboarding under his belt.
When away from the office, Anthony spends much of his free time immersed in mountain culture. Skiing, snowboarding and mountain biking take up his free time, often complimented by sailing and the occasional backpacking adventure.
Photo Credits: Revelstoke Mountain Resort