Revelstoke Mountain

Those who spent more time on the snow than in the classroom might not be aware of how much meandering the Columbia River does throughout southeastern British Columbia. They will, however, likely know of the Revelstoke Mountain ski resort. It is home to lots of snow and the longest descent in North America.

Getting to the resort area by vehicle is not difficult, as motorists will use Trans-Canadian Highway 1 to reach Revelstoke and the resort on the southern edge of town. Americans can use highways from Idaho, Montana, and Washington to drive into the Province. A local airport in Revelstoke can receive small aircraft, but the closest International facility is 116 miles away in Kelowna.

Deep Snow and Long Runs

The Revelstoke Mountain ski resort sits on Mount Mackenzie, which places it in a sub-artic climate with long cold winters. That helps to generate the average annual snowfall of 413 inches. A base elevation of 1,680 feet and a summit of 7,300 helps to create the 5,620-foot vertical drop that is the longest in North America. These two statistics explain the winter venue's popularity among ski bums in the Province and the Northwest in the US.

That popularity makes it a vacation destination that requires lodging accommodations, and the Sutton Place Hotel offers ski-in/ski-out rooms on the mountain. Visitors to the Revelstoke Mountain ski area will also find lodging in Revelstoke at the Sandman Hotel. Five eateries within the resort's boundaries keep skiers and snowboarders satiated, and a liquor store sells adult beverages should guests desire them. Other dining options are also available in town.

Besides the liquor store, Revelstoke Mountain has R Gear and Critical Parts as retail outlets. Guests can purchase alpine equipment, apparel, souvenirs, or other on-slope accessories they need. Boot fitting services allow guests to get the best fit with this critical piece of equipment, and they can also "try before they buy" to make sure that gear performs as expected. The Revelstoke Mountain ski resort also offers equipment rentals and repairs, allowing skiers and riders to access the pow no matter what.

Reveling in the Options

Visitors to the Revelstoke Mountain ski area have plenty of ways to enjoy the snow. Selkirk Heliskiing provides access to over 500,000 acres of terrain, and certified guides will help visitors explore backcountry areas through guided tours. Snowshoeing is another popular way to explore the area. A unique experience through tandem paragliding lets visitors see the mountain and Columbia River from a whole new perspective.

The Revelstoke Mountain ski area is larger than many winter resorts, offering 3,121 acres of terrain. That includes access to four bowls (Greely, North, Powder Assault, and South). There are a total of 75 runs and areas here, with the longest run (The Last Spike) reaching an impressive 9.5 miles.

Beginners will find 12-percent of the runs rated as green, giving them plenty of room to gain experience. Intermediate alpine trails are marked blue and cover 43-percent of the mountain. The remaining 45-percent of the runs are rated as either black diamond/advanced or as double black diamond/expert. Revelstoke Mountain uses six lifts for uphill movement, including a gondola.