April 20, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Revelstoke, Museums
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On a recent trip to the newly opened Revelstoke Mountain Resort, I had the opportunity to spend an hour at the Revelstoke Nickelodeon Museum in the heart of the town centre. Once you make it past the amazing gift shop packed with unusual musical knick-knacks, antique and modern mechanical music machines, the room opens to reveal hundreds of beautiful mechanical instruments from the 18th Century to the 1950s. This museum is the only mechanical music museum in western Canada and is operated by a charming couple that between the two of them know more about this sort of stuff than one could imagine. Make sure to enjoy their one hour guided tour to learn about the musical instruments, Victorian music boxes, player pianos, pipe organs and colourful juke boxes.
The highlight for me (beyond the cheerful music) was the RCA/Mills Panoram Video Jukebox (circa 1940) which is basically a wooden box that contains what is essentially the first music video, only the films shown were called "soundies". According to the written description on the machine, over 1850 different soundies were produced in the early 1940s with musical styles ranging from Country and Western to Big Band.
So, when the sking day is done, head on downtown to this unique and enjoyable museum. You are sure to learn something, and be grandly entertained along the way.
April 17, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Sun Peaks Resort, Skiing & Snowboarding
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I’m a rubbish and panicky skier. But I really wanted to be better and knew I needed to practice during my visit to Sun Peaks Resort in late March. So imagine my glee at hearing that the very family- and new-skiier-friendly Sun Peaks Resort offers a green (easy) run at the top of all their major runs. Families or friends of varying ski abilities can trundle up in the lifts together, ski parts together if they wish and meet down the bottom. No need to part ways for the day and meet up only Apres Drinks! Black diamond folks can go one way, and scaredy cats like me can go another! Excellent!
But I did have to put it to the test, of course… We took the Sundance Express lift up to the top of one set of runs, and while I was nervous, I threw myself into the challenge. But rather than make a tough, tentative attempt down an icy and busy route with boarders and skiers hurtling past me, my Sun Peaks ski was such a great experience! A few of us took the nice and easy Homesteader run to start - and what a pleasure it was.
Like many of Sun Peaks’ green runs this was a wide, unpopulated, gorgeous run with great, powdery snow, and held just enough of a challenge for us real beginners as well as some more flat areas to glide on. It was a good long route, too, and for once I was able look up at the gorgeous view of the mountains and take in the whole experience, while also thoroughly enjoying the experience. The other skiers who did pass me were really cheerful as well, not like some resorts where everyone whizzes past you, slicing and dicing.
From what I heard from some of my other colleagues, they also really enjoyed the Sun Peaks’ downhill experience on those more challenging blue and black runs. I’ve skied at Whistler and Big White and while those are also both great resorts, I can honestly say that Sun Peaks offered a truly enjoyable ski experience for the absolute beginner in me. I felt great pride at making it down a big run, when I normally would have been stuck on the really baby hills!
April 16, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Revelstoke, Attractions
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I’ve never been one for touristy spots, but Three Valley Gap’s Three Valley Lake Chateau and the Heritage Ghost Town, located in Revelstoke, revealed a truly wonderful surprise, when we visited recently. Talk about a labour of love! Gordon and Ethel Bell and their large family have continued to put nearly 50 years of their time and painstaking effort and heart into running this unique heritage spot and they built it, own it and operate it themselves.
The lovely chateau actually started as a tiny motel and coffee shop, and now has more than 200 rooms, with many facing the valleys and beautiful garden. The Bells also recreated a wonderful Heritage Ghost Town village complete with replica (and some real!) historical buildings that Mr. Bell had shipped and rebuilt on his land, including a fire hall, jail, barber, cave, church, school house, hotel shops and many more nooks and crannies filled to overflowing with antiques and historical artifacts dating back more than 100 years.
Most impressive was the train yard and roundhouse – we were told that it was Mr. Bell’s last wish (sadly, he passed away in late 2007) to get this actually working so he could move his impressive collection of historical train cars around the enormous roundhouse. Amazingly, the roundhouse's floor now works, and the collection of trains, railway memorabilia and museum pieces (not to mention the stable of vintage cars, including a restored 1902 Curved Dash Olds!), are remarkable and a sight to behold. I was genuinely touched when listening to the story of Mr. and Mrs. Bell and their family’s devotion to making TVG a truly special place, and would recommend a visit to all comers. That they have really created this on their own and without government funding, it is a truly impressive achievement. TVG is a real BC gem!
April 09, 2008 | Tips from Us >
Revelstoke, Accommodation
If you’re
in the Revelstoke area, seeking a fabulous home-away-from-home, you need look
no further than The Hillcrest Hotel, a Coast Resort. Located just a short
distance from Revelstoke city centre, at the gateway to Glacier & Mount Revelstoke National Parks,
you’ll be awestruck by the majestic views of the Selkirk and Monashee mountain
ranges! The resort is perched atop a hill (hence the name) and was built about
7 years ago to offer quality accommodation and dining to the heli-skiing
aficionado’s and other outdoor enthusiasts. In fact, you’ll likely notice the
helicopters parked in the spacious parking lot. Our rooms overlooked the valley
and I highly recommend paying a small additional premium for a room with a
Jacuzzi tub, especially if you plan to take advantage of some of the fabulous array
of activities available year round. Whether you choose skiing at the newly
opened ski resort or partake in some of the other recreational activities such
as back country hiking, heli-skiing, snowmobiling, downhill skiing or
snowboarding in the winter or camping, biking, river rafting, boating, rowing,
canoeing and kayaking in the other seasons you’ll be glad you chose the
Hillcrest to come home to at the end of the day. Revelstoke also has an 18 hole
championship golf course, bowling lanes, fitness centres, tennis courts,
skating arena, curling rink, and a spectacular new aquatic centre.
After all
that activity you’re sure to have worked up an appetite! Why not start out with
a pre-dinner appertif in the Mountain Guides Lounge – cozy up by the stone,
wood-burning firelplace and then head to the dining room. This fine dining
restaurant is not to be missed and features a mouthwatering selection of
gourmet fare. We sampled many of the appetizers from fresh mussels, steamed to
perfection, stuffed mushroom caps, potstickers and bruchetta. For my entrée I
chose the succulent rack of lamb, one of their features and wouldn’t hesitate
to recommend it! As well, I tasted a friend’s tuna which was moist and
delicious and the chicken stuffed with gouda
and prosciutto looked quite tempting as well. Save room for dessert as they
offer a unique twist on crème brulee with a touch of ginger along with a “well
worth the calories” cheesecake! I hear the chocolate mousse was heavenly!
Their
wine selection was good and they offer a great morning buffet with a choice of
full or continental breakfast - don’t miss the melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon
buns! I hear the huge sundeck is a popular place to dine during the warmer
months, delivering a spectacular al fresco dining experience!
For those
feeling the need to work off those desserts, the Hillcrest offers a fully
equipped gym or if you feel the need to shop check out the fabulous gift shop
full of great sportswear and funky accessories also located on the lower level.
You’ll be
wowed by the scenery, food and vast array of activities to choose from but it’s
the warm hospitality of the staff at the Hillcrest that will be sure to bring
you back time and again.