72 Hours In Revelstoke: Fresh powder, big vertical, and frontier history

Written for Vancity Buzz by Mark Sissons, senior writer at Vacay.ca

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We recently spent 72 hours in Banff, Alberta, Canada’s original mountain resort town within a national park. Another iconic Canadian alpine outpost is the historic railway town of Revelstoke in southeastern British Columbia. Founded back in 1880 as a transportation and supply hub for the mining gold rush and soon afterward designated an operations centre for the Canadian Pacific Railway, ‘Revy’ as the locals call it also boasts Canada’s newest ski resort with over 5,500 feet of vertical – the most in North America.

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Here’s how to spend a powder perfect 72 hours in Revelstoke, on and off the slopes.

Friday

3 p.m. – Check-in at the Sutton Place Hotel

The luxurious Sutton Place dominates the base area at Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Designed by the foremost resort architectural firm in North America, the hotel features a contemporary mountain alpine architectural style where every suite offers outstanding views across the Columbia River to the Monashee Mountains.

6 p.m. – Dinner at Rockford Wok|Bar|Grill

Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Monashee Mountains, Rockford offers traditional dishes with a tasty twist, while at the same time tipping its culinary hat to the West’s Pacific Rim influences by offering a selection of Asian-themed wok-fired dishes.

Saturday

8 a.m. – Breakfast at La Baguette

This local favourite serves fresh baked breads and pastries, sandwiches, wraps, paninis, salads, specialty brewed coffees, an assortment of teas, fruit smoothies and juices. A selection of “to go” and grocery items are also available for guests staying on-mountain.

9 a.m. – Ski Revelstoke Mountain

Renowned for is deep powder and wide variety of terrain – everything from steep, open runs to big cliff areas, tree skiing and long groomed runs, top to bottom – Revelstoke Mountain Resort features 3,121 acres of fall-line runs, wide-open bowls, a variety of glades, flowing groomed trails, and a brand new village-based beginner area and tube park. It also lays claim to being the only place in the world offering lift, cat, and heli-skiing from the same mountain base.

12:30 p.m. – Lunch at Revelation Lodge

Located on the mountain, this stunning post-and-beam eatery features a cafeteria-style restaurant with an expresso bar and deck with a barbeque.

4 p.m. – Après ski at the Village Idiot

This ski-themed post powder hangout offers bar food, plus outdoor seating and local brews. Try a pint of locally brewed Mt. Begbie and one of their homemade pizzas.

8 p.m. – Dinner at Kawakubo

Sushi in the B.C. Interior?! It’s okay to be sceptical, but this laid-back destination for traditional sushi, teriyaki and soups (plus sake) in serene surroundings is Vancouver sushi delicious.

Sunday

7 a.m. – Heliskiing with Selkirk Tangiers

Depart from the Sutton Place lobby to catch the shuttle to the Hillcrest Hotel for your heliski day. After fueling up with a full buffet breakfast in the hotel’s dining room, meet tour guide for a backcountry safety briefing, followed by the ultimate alpine adventure in a region world renowned for its amazingly consistent snowfalls of dry powder – up to seven metres per season. With 500,000 acres spread across the Selkirk and Monashee Mountains to play in, including wide open alpine bowls, chutes and steeps, and plenty of tree skiing through massive old-growth forests, you’ll be the envy of your powderhound friends.

7 p.m. – Dinner at Woolsey Creek Bistro

Located in downtown Revelstoke, this cozy, upscale bistro features locally sourced Canadian fare with global twists. Relive your heli-ski adventure over starters like Beef Spanokopita and Lavender Scallops, venison loin and Wild Sablefish entrees and Vanilla Bean Crème Brulée, washed down with a good selection of B.C. wines.

Monday

8 a.m. – Breakfast at the Main Street Cafe

Newly renovated, this cozy eatery was recently voted best breakfast in Revelstoke in a local readers’ poll. Part of the reason just might be the amazing brie and apple French toast.

10 a.m. – Revelstoke Railway Museum

Learn about the construction of the transcontinental Canadian Pacific Railway and the challenges encountered by the workers who helped build our nation through many fascinating artifacts and exhibits. See rolling stock, a model railroad layout, kids’ caboose play area, a locomotive simulator and more. A satellite of the museum on the site where the last spike was driven is located at Craigellachie on the Trans-Canada Highway about 40 kilometres west of Revelstoke.

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