Revelstoke
Revelstoke is a mountain that is quickly transforming itself, with the potential to become the biggest and best ski resort in Canada. Revelstoke has long been known by cat and heli-skiers for its legendary dry Selkirk powder that falls in abundance (12-18 metres annually). Realising this potential as the perfect location where snow dumps, Revelstoke has commenced development to turn this powder paradise into a mega-resort.
In 2007/08 there were only 3 lifts with 1,443 metres of vertical, but developments for the 2008/2009 season have included an extended gondola and a new high speed quad chair. Revelstoke now boasts the longest vertical in North America with 1,713m. The master plan for future development includes another 17 lifts and extensive expansion of the ski run clearings to provide 4,047 hectares of skiable terrain. Blimey!
Revelstoke is an adventure skiers’ destination – heaps of powder and hectares of largely untouched fantastic terrain. Some of the alpine bowls are currently only accessible by cat, but the lift accessible terrain is nothing to baulk at.
For powderhounds, this resort has the great advantage of offering lift skiing, cat skiing and heli-skiing, so you can mix and match your adventure depending upon the conditions, and of course your budget.
Revelstoke is 2 hours (199km) away from Kelowna international airport. The mountain resort is 6km southeast of the town of Revelstoke. Currently the resort village is fairly basic, and most of the
accommodation is in town (the on-mountain Nelsen Lodge due to open in early 2009) where there is variability to suit all budgets. The master planning for the resort village includes expansion of accommodation, restaurants, and rental and retail shops.
The resort and terrain have some similarities to its neighbour
Kicking Horse, and the powder is comparable to
Niseko in Japan. So why wouldn’t you want to go to Revelstoke? This is the place to get to before everyone else discovers it and steals your powder stash.
More information and ratings coming soon when the Powderhounds visit Revelstoke to revel in the powder.