How does a small community ski hill grow to boast some of the best skiing and the longest lift-serviced descent in North America? Revelstoke Mountain Resort is the little ski hill that did. The explanation: an average annual snowfall of 18m/ 60ft falling on one gigantic mountain.
Powder (a popular US-based ski magazine) called Revelstoke “North America’s New Big One”. It is also the only resort in the world that offers lift, cat-skiing or heli-skiing from one village base.
Ski or snowboard from the top of Mount MacKenzie at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, and glide through 1,686m/ 5,620ft of vertical to the valley bottom. Then, climb aboard the comfortable eight-passenger gondola at the Nelsen Lodge, and be whisked more than halfway up the mountain again. A high-speed quad chair completes the journey to the top.
Expert runs constitute almost half of the resort's 40 runs, and with only four runs rated easy, there are not many choices for beginners. However, a novice run does wind all the way from top to bottom, a staggering 15.2km/ 9.5miles long. To borrow a swimming term, it's “sink or swim” for novices, and there's a whole lot of powder to swim in.
The resort is also unique in that, in addition to lift-serviced skiing, it offers both cat skiing and heli skiing from the same village base.
The Day Lodge
This brand-new post and beam structure houses a restaurant with seating for more than 200 people. The menu offers a wild variety of yummy food, ranging from burgers to sushi, accompanied by Oso Negro coffee all the way from Nelson, or local draught beer from the Mt Begbie Brewing Company, (check out their brewery at 521 1st St W.).
Ski Equipment Rentals
Rentals are available at the resort, as well as in town. For a more individualized service, Powder Rentals will send a representative to local hotel rooms for a fitting, and pick up equipment at the end of the day from the location that works best.
Getting There
Revelstoke Mountain Resort is located a couple minutes' drive from downtown Revelstoke, and the resort operates a shuttle bus service to and from a number of local spots, including Grizzly Plaza, during the ski season. Check with the Visitor Centre or the resort directly for times.