Published June 11, 2026 03:08PM
It’s easy to get intimidated by a ski area that’s described as “steep,” “deep,” and “rugged.” So I was secretly a little relieved to hear that Revelstoke Mountain Resort was coming up short on the “deep” ahead of my 2025 visit.
But, as I wrapped up my ski day at Kicking Horse and loaded the car for the drive over Rogers Pass to Revelstoke, the snow started to fall and didn’t stop. By the time I arrived, the pass had closed behind me, and one of Revelstoke’s legendary powder days was taking shape. Any hope of a mellow ski day disappeared; I was going to experience Revelstoke at its most extreme.
And oh, how I felt it. Revelstoke has the longest vertical descent in North America, which basically means your legs will burn and you’ll wonder if you got lost because a single run can’t possibly be this long. The ski area is located in a subarctic zone in the Selkirk Mountains and averages over 400 inches or 34 feet of snowfall a year.
Yes, Revelstoke lived up to the hype, but what really captured my heart is the town itself: a true ski town (not a manufactured ski village) with an organic arts scene, good food, and kindhearted locals.
“Revelstoke is not a typical ski town. We are a year-round, authentic mountain community,” said Lydia Syme, who works for Tourism Revelstoke. “I love that I can ski, golf, and paddle in one day. It’s a multi-sport paradise.”
If you’re heading to Revelstoke for the first time, here’s the ultimate guide from someone who braved the slopes not that long ago — and still dreams of going back.
The Mountain:
Revelstoke Mountain Resort has 3,121 skiable acres, making it larger than ski areas like Winter Park. But while Winter Park has 166 named trails, Revelstoke has just 75. It’s a testament to just how long Revelstoke runs are, including the longest ski run in North America, a 9.4-mile green run that goes from the top of the mountain to the bottom.
Of the 75 named ski runs, 12 percent are beginner-friendly (green), 43 percent are intermediate (blue), and 45 percent are advanced (black).
“It’s a great place to challenge yourself, a real bucket list resort,” said Syme. “However, there is also a great variety of beginner and intermediate terrain at the Ripper Chair and Stellar Chair.”
One of my favorite things about Revelstoke Mountain Resort is the playful art installations that pop out of tree trunks or catch your eye from the branches. The addition of art to the ski runs was an organic one that’s now organized through the Revelstoke Outdoor Art Movement (ROAM).
The Snow:
When I skied Revelstoke in late January 2025, the tide was low, but they still managed to wrap the season with over 430 inches of snow. The 2025-’26 ski season was even better, with over 464 inches reported.
On a powder day, consider booking the resort’s First Tracks experience to enjoy two or three runs of untouched powder before the mountain opens.
Ski season typically runs from late November to mid-April. By February, there is typically a reliable base and more snow on the way. Kids 12 and under typically ski free in March and April.
The Town:
Revelstoke isn’t one of those artificial-feeling mountain towns that were built for tourists. It is a genuine community of around 8,000 people who live there because they love it. Revelstoke is a ski town, but it’s also a snowmobile town, and a hiking and mountain biking town in the summer.
Revelstoke’s economy is also driven by forestry and rail, and the town has a growing arts scene. During my January visit, I wandered through the town’s alleys, which are lined with fine art that’s open to anyone at any time.
“I am never bored here. I think people love to visit Revelstoke for the same reasons — there’s so much to do, and our community is so welcoming,” shared Syme. Courtnee Allen, with Revelstoke Mountain Resort, added that “It still feels like a true mountain town, welcoming community, incredible outdoor access, great food, and surrounded by nature and national parks.”
And more people are catching on. The highly anticipated Cabot Revelstoke is set to open in early 2027, bringing a high-end, luxury option to the rugged mountain town.
Getting There:
I made my way to Revelstoke from Banff on a multi-resort ski tour, but the easiest option is to fly into Kelowna International Airport (YLW) and rent a car. You can also catch a ride to the mountain with Revelstoke Transfers, which runs multiple times a day in the winter. Revelstoke is a 2.5-hour drive from Kelowna.
Where To Stay:
During my trip, I stayed at The Sutton Place, which is the closest lodging to the ski area. It’s located just across the walkway from the gondola, the ski area’s only access point.
Allen recommends The Sutton Place “for convenience and families,” and I have to say, staying at the hotel gave me a head start on the powder day since I didn’t have to worry about the icy drive or parking, and could see the lift line from my window.
Syme recommends staying in downtown Revelstoke, where all the action is. The Eleven Revelstoke Lodge, a luxury heli-ski hotel, is located in the heart of town, as is the family-owned Regent Hotel, one of Allen’s top picks.
Both ladies add that the opening of Cabot Revelstoke in 2027 will be a luxurious addition to Revelstoke lodging.
Related: Don’t Choose Between Luxury and Adventure at This Heli Lodge
Where To Eat:
Everyone agrees (including me) that the best place to start a ski day is at La Baguette, which has French baked goods and Montreal-style bagels. The company’s second location, La Petite Baguette, is located at the base of the ski area by the gondola, making it all too easy to grab a breakfast sandwich or brioche on your way up the mountain.
For an on-mountain lunch, swing by Mackenzie Outpost at the top of the gondola. Their burger was a topic of conversation on several chairlifts.
For dinner, you’ll have to choose between Kawakubo, a sushi spot that’s a favorite of Syme’s, and Old School Eatery, which Allen recommends and was a highlight of my January visit.
Where To Après:
At the end of the ski day, people naturally congregate at the Rockford at the base of the ski area. Syme adds that, “There’s often a DJ playing in the plaza at the Rockford in the spring,” but notes that you have to make time to après downtown too. Both Syme and Allen spoke highly of The Village Idiot, which is après-ski themed.
Beer lovers will find their people at Craft Bierhaus, which has over 20 beers on tap, while Monashee is home to award-winning spirits that are mixed into creative cocktails.
For a little activity with your après, head to Cantina del Centro (aka La Cantina), a taco spot with bowling lanes.
Sidequests:
Revelstoke is part of Canada’s “Powder Highway,” a 700-mile loop that leads to some of British Columbia’s best ski areas, including Kicking Horse, Fernie, and Red.
This part of Canada is known as the “birthplace of heli skiing,” with Revelstoke earning the title “heli-skiing capital of the world.” Helicopter-accessed skiing is endless and oh-so-good. Revelstoke Mountain Resort even offers a “Heli Prep” program designed to prepare skiers for a local heli trip.
