This Charming Ski Destination Is Nicknamed ‘Pow Town’ — and Has the Most Vertical Feet in North America

Revelstoke has a bit of a reputation. The ski area has the most vertical feet in North America and is nicknamed “Pow Town” for its prevalent snowfall — a whopping 34 feet (or over 400 inches) each year.  

As luck would have it, my trip to Revelstoke fell following a month of very little snowfall. The closer I got to the big day, the more it looked like my visit to Pow Town would lack the pow. But then, after three sunny days at nearby resorts, the snow arrived. And when it started, it didn’t stop.

The snow ramped up as my brother and I drove to Revelstoke over Rogers Pass. The route’s iconic views were obscured by the world of white we found ourselves driving through — steep, snow-packed roads merging with an all-white sky. Not long after we arrived in Revelstoke and checked into our hotel, we learned the pass had completely closed. 

The drive was a precursor for the ski day that would follow. Revelstoke Mountain Resort is a steep mountain with leg-burning runs that seem to go on forever. And the snow fell heavy and constant for the duration of our stay.

Revelstoke is a proper ski town. It draws tourists like me, for sure, but it’s clear that the ski area is locally loved. The crowd is made up of hard-core skiers and riders undeterred by the wiles of nature or the perils of big-mountain skiing. And their ski area reflects that. Revelstoke has an abundance of ridge traverses, wide-open bowls, glades, and hidden powder stashes known only by the locals and those daring enough to duck in. 

There’s also intermediate progression terrain with just enough challenge to keep things spicy, a dedicated beginner area, and a 9.4-mile green run that winds from the top of the mountain to the bottom (the longest ski run in North America).

“We have two personalities here. We’re known for the extreme, so a lot of our terrain mimics the backcountry, and that’s why people love coming here,” Laura Meggs, the communications manager for Revelstoke Mountain Resort, shared. “But we’ve also worked on expanding the intermediate progression zone on the mountain.”

Revelstoke is a ski town, but it would be a mistake to leave it at that. In addition to an outdoor mindset, Revelstoke has an impressive art scene. Downtown alleys have been transformed into open-air art galleries, and art installations are tucked along the runs and in the trees of Revelstoke Mountain Resort. The art feels organic, as if someone put it up to catch your eye mid-ski, and most of it is made using old ski and snowboard gear.

“I think the terrain and the snow are what bring people back for sure, but the part of the puzzle you can’t really put your finger on is the community,” said Meggs. Lydia Syme with Tourism Revelstoke added, “Our history is rooted in the industry, most notably railway and forestry. Canadian Pacific Railway trains still roll right through town … For a small town, our culinary experiences rival those in the city, and our coffee culture is second to none. All of this is bolstered by our deep and unwavering relationship with mountain sports.”

Want to know more? Here’s your official Travel + Leisure rundown:

When to Go

Revelstoke’s ski season typically runs from late November to mid-to-late April. Book your trip in February for reliably good snow. If you have kids, coming in mid March or early April may be your best bet, as the mountain tends to run kids ski free promotions at the end of the season. Revelstoke Mountain Resort does a good job of keeping après and evenings lively with live music on-mountain daily.

Where to Stay 

The Sutton Place

If you want to be close to the ski area, stay at The Sutton Place, located at the base of the mountain. They have a complimentary ski valet, and the bottom of the gondola is just steps away. All the rooms at The Sutton Place are condo-style, with full kitchens and living areas and separate, private bedrooms. And there’s a heated outdoor pool and hot tubs for coming down off the high of the day.

Regent Hotel

The Regent Hotel is an excellent choice if you want to stay in downtown Revelstoke among all the shops and restaurants. Plus, this property is one of Canada’s oldest family-owned and operated hotels and was around when Revelstoke was a flourishing railway town for the Canadian Pacific Railway. A daily hot breakfast is included in the rate.

Basecamp Suites

Another good downtown Revelstoke option is Basecamp Suites Revelstoke, which operates almost like an Airbnb with self check-in and a roundup of studio to three-bedroom suites, each with a full kitchen. The highlight of this property is the rooftop hot tubs, which have great views. Guests get free access to the shuttle from downtown Revelstoke to the ski area.

Where to Eat

La Baguette

La Baguette is locally loved for its Montreal-style bagels and French-style baked goods — from standard croissants to blueberry matcha brioche. If you happen to be at Revelstoke Mountain Resort for breakfast, swing by La Petite Baguette, a simplified version of La Baguette situated at the base of the ski area. Syme says that on a snow day, “I’ve pre-ordered an all-dressed Brie.L.T. [a B.L.T. with brie instead of bacon] and an oat latte from La Petite Baguette,” which she picks up before grabbing the gondola to the top of the mountain.

Mackenzie Outpost

The best burger in Revelstoke, according to literally everyone I talked to, is found at the Mackenzie Outpost. And since the Outpost is located mid-mountain, at the top of the gondola, you only have to put your ski day on pause to enjoy one. On a sunny day, you can enjoy yours with a brew and a view. “Stop for lunch at the Outpost. Best burgers in Revelstoke, they are so good,” confirmed Meggs.

Dose Coffee

I first heard about Dose from Syme, who said it has the best coffee in town. The sentiment was echoed by anyone I talked to during my trip. The Aussie-owned coffee shop and cafe also offers a great lineup of breakfast items, including “breaky sandos,” croissants, and cookies.

Old School Eatery

The Old School Eatery’s setting is second to none. It’s in an old schoolhouse classroom adorned with black-and-white photos from the building’s school era. The eatery embraces the classroom feel and serves new-school Asian and Mediterranean dishes. Their polenta fries and banana ketchup are out of this world.

Where to Après Ski

Cantina del Centro

Cantina del Centro, or La Cantina as everyone called it, was another one of those recommendations that everyone agreed on. Meggs said that her idea of a perfect ski day ends with tacos and bowling — yes, bowling — at La Cantina. As she noted, “It’s a true Revelstoke experience.”

Monashee Spirits

The spirits at Monashee are award-winning, and their gin is a crowd favorite. However, the real star of this local distillery is the cocktail menu. The bartenders go the extra mile to make your drink pop, from the edible artwork on the “Topless Girl on a Bike in Paris” cocktail to the “Tiki Death Punch.”

Rockford Bar & Grill

The best place for a post-ski drink is the Rockford, located at the base of the ski area. Beyond being wildly convenient, they have great après eats (I recommend the truffle fries) and a solid wine, beer, and cocktail menu. At the end of a big ski day, Syme says, “I head down to the Rockford where a DJ is playing funky house music. I get a pitcher of beer with my friends.”

Off-mountain Activities 

Go snowmobiling.

Revelstoke may be a ski town, but Syme shared that the snowmobiling community is just as prevalent. The two main snowmobile areas are Boulder and Frisby, which can be accessed just outside town.

Try cat-skiing.

Skiers and boarders looking for more terrain and powder can book a day of cat-skiing — or better yet, heli-skiing. Revelstoke is considered “the heli-skiing capital of the world,” with several heli-skiing companies based out of the town and access to endless terrain.

How to Ride 

Tickets: Riders with an Ikon Pass get 7 days of unrestricted skiing at Revelstoke. At the window, you’ll pay $179 for a full day, or you can buy your lift ticket online 48 hours in advance to save up to 40 percent. Kids 12 and under ski free when accompanied by an adult from mid-March to mid-April.

Rentals: The Revelstoke Rental Shop is located at the base of the ski area in the same building as The Sutton Place and the Rockford. They carry a big selection of all-mountain and powder skis and snowboards, including children’s gear. You’ll save 15 percent on rentals when you reserve your gear online in advance.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Revelstoke Mountain Resort has a lot of terrain to explore with its 3,121 acres of terrain. There are not many runs for such a large mountain, but most are longer than your typical ski run — including North America’s longest ski run at 9.4 miles. Of the 75 named ski runs, 12 percent are beginner-friendly (green), 43 percent are intermediate (blue), and 45 percent are advanced (black).

You can also explore the terrain around the ski area (and beyond) using one of Revelstoke’s cat- or heli-skiing operations or on a tour in the backcountry. Unless you’re very experienced, you’ll want to hire a guide to lead you into the Revy backcountry.

Programming

Kids ages 3 to 15 can join a private or group ski lesson with a seasoned pro. The same goes for adults, who can also book Revelstoke’s “Cat Heli Prep” lesson that prepares you for a cat- or heli-ski experience.

To really experience Pow Town, you might want to consider booking the First Tracks experience, which lets you get one of the first chairs and enjoy two or three runs of untouched powder or fresh corduroy. 

How to Get There

If you are traveling by air, the best option is to fly into the Kelowna International Airport (YLW) and catch Revelstoke Transfers, which runs five guaranteed departures per day during the winter and one guaranteed departure per day during the summer months. Airlines flying into YLW include Air Canada, WestJet, Alaska Airlines, and Pacific Coastal. From Kelowna, it’s approximately a 2.5-hour drive to Revelstoke. Car rentals are also available at the Kelowna airport.