Canada’s Best Ski Town
Revelstoke Mountain Resort has generated newfound energy in this remote corner of British Columbia, but the town underneath its peaks remains as authentic as it gets. Skiing isn’t a hobby here—it’s a way of life.
WORDS • MIKE BERARD | FEATURED IMAGE • ROYCE SIHILIS
Set on the western edge of Rogers Pass where the mighty Columbia flows wide, the town of Revelstoke, B.C., sits forged in Canada’s history, with rugged authenticity and mountain culture that rings true in its humming railway lines. The engines still rumble through downtown, but a more-recent reputation for deep, dependable snow, and steep gnar have redefined this place. It is, quite simply, the best ski town in Canada.
Revelstoke doesn’t feel touristy, even on rare days when the lift lines spill past the queue, probably due to its overflowing authenticity. “Revy has a blend of resort skiers, ski tourers, sled skiers, and guides,” says local and professional skier Leah Evans. “I think we have the most ACMG guides in all of Canada. I also think there are the most female skiers anywhere. The vibe is open and supportive; we’ve got each other’s backs.” The support is important, because Revy’s terrain—from Rogers Pass to the area’s many world-class heli and cat operations—is legit. Even at the Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR), skiers looking for trouble can find it. “There is so much terrain to ski,” says Evans. “It’s a place that is bigger, steeper, longer. The tree skiing is amazing but, unlike other places in the Kootenays, it’s got tons of alpine. This was the big difference for me.”
RMR has only five lifts—including the new Stellar quad—but it boasts longer vertical than both Whistler Blackcomb and Jackson Hole. Add in expansive views of the Columbia Valley and 413 inches of annual snow—and damn, what snow it is. There’s something about Revy powder. This is where the Rockies meet the rest of B.C., and that means the last of the wet, heavy precipitation gets skimmed off the atmosphere and mixed into the turbulent micro-climates of the Selkirk range. Equal parts “coastal concrete” and lighter-than-sunshine Kootenay gold, the unique alchemic magic in these mountains mixes Revy powder to a place somewhere in the middle—so creamy that six inches feels like 12, and so abundant that you eventually lose count.
When it first opened, Revy was widely touted as The Next Spot to go in B.C., which meant a few winters of love from the fickle checklist skiers of the world. But then the fickle moved on to newer stamp-the-passport destinations with waterparks and a constantly revolving door of new lifts, restaurants and energy drink-fueled competitions. The real skiers, however, stayed behind. “It really is an awesome community to be in,” says resident professional skier Chris Rubens. “Seeing friends working hard to start new businesses, start families, and still playing hard in this amazing backyard. Every year it keeps getting better.”
In only 12 ski seasons, Revelstoke has transformed into one of the few examples of a true, down-to-earth skier’s town. The vibe is different here than almost anywhere else. It’s less waterpark and franchise coffee shop, more rusty pickup truck and torn plaid. “Before Revelstoke Mountain Resort,” Rubens says, “there were skiers here. But I would not have called it a ski town. With lots of hype and development it has grown quickly into a town filled with lots of energy, but it’s still got that true, authentic feeling.”