All Resorts

Revelstoke Mountain Resort

5,620 feet of vertical. The most of any resort in North America. Not even close.

Our Take

Revelstoke Mountain Resort dropped into the BC ski world in 2007 and immediately started breaking records other resorts didn't know were possible. The vertical drop -- 5,620 feet from a 7,841-foot summit to a 1,680-foot base -- is not a typo and not a rounding error. It is simply the biggest vertical drop at any ski resort in North America, full stop. And the mountain earns it. The upper alpine bowls are massive, exposed, and loaded with snow from the BC Interior snowpack. The mid-mountain shots through the trees are some of the most satisfying terrain on the continent. The lower mountain is steep enough to keep things interesting all the way to the village. The town of Revelstoke itself -- a small rail and outdoor sports hub on the Trans-Canada -- has quietly built one of the better craft beer and restaurant scenes you'll find anywhere near a resort this remote. The cat skiing operation accesses terrain that would otherwise require helicopter money. Come for a week. You will not run out of mountain.

Big mountain skiersPowder huntersVertical addictsCat skiingAdvanced and expert terrain

Nerd Stats

Vertical Drop

5,620'

Avg Annual Snowfall

450"

Skiable Acres

3,121

Summit Elevation

7,841'

Fun Facts

  • 5,620 vertical feet. That's 2,020 feet more vertical than Jackson Hole and 1,254 more than Whistler. The comparison stops being useful pretty quickly.
  • The Revelation Bowl at 7,500+ feet is one of the most consistently wind-loaded, consistently deep spots in BC. When it goes, it really goes.
  • Revelstoke's cat skiing partnerships access 11 different zones, some only reachable in deep winter. The skiing-to-cost ratio is unlike anything in the helicopter world.
  • Annual snowfall averages around 450 inches -- that's in the same league as Alta. Just with five times the vertical.

Why Revelstoke Mountain Resort?

5,620 feet of vertical. That's the whole pitch. Once you've skied that number, everything else is an asterisk. Revelstoke delivers the biggest mountain in North America, BC powder, and a town that's finally building the infrastructure to match an extraordinary mountain.

The Lowdown

Best for: Advanced and expert skiers wanting maximum vertical and minimum crowds
Vibe: Remote BC rail town turned world-class destination
Snow quality: BC Interior snowpack -- 450" average, light and consistently deep
Town scene: Revelstoke has developed fast -- good breweries, solid dining, growing restaurant scene
Value: Steep for Canada, reasonable for what you get

Local's Tips

  • 1.The Ripper gondola is the fastest way to vertical feet. Take it immediately, then figure out your day from the top down.
  • 2.Revelation Bowl on the upper mountain holds powder after storms longer than anything else at the resort. It's exposed and windy but the snow stays cold and workable.
  • 3.Book cat skiing at least 6 months out for peak winter dates. The demand is real and the terrain it accesses is on a different level than the main mountain.

Don't Miss

Cat skiing with Selkirk Tangiers

The cat skiing operation accesses zones that make the main resort look like a warm-up run. Not cheap, but for serious powder skiers it's a genuine bucket-list day.

The Revelation Bowl at dawn

The upper alpine above 7,000 feet on a clear BC morning, with nobody around and 5,000+ feet of descent ahead of you, is one of those ski experiences that rewires your expectations permanently.

Where to Eat

Our picks -- not just the Google results

The Mackenzie Common

$$

Canadian/Craft

One of Revelstoke town's best spots -- good food, local craft beer on tap, and the kind of casual energy that makes après feel like it costs more than it does.

Get here before 5:30 on busy weekends or you'll wait. Worth the wait.

Kawarthas Dairy & Gelato

$

Desserts

It sounds like a weird après stop but the gelato situation in Revelstoke is legitimately excellent. Treat yourself before dinner. Nobody's judging.

Things You Should Actually Do

Beyond the obvious -- our insider picks

Cat skiing with Selkirk Tangiers

Snow Sport

The cat skiing operation adjacent to the resort accesses 11 distinct zones across thousands of acres of wilderness terrain. The powder-to-dollar ratio is unmatched by anything short of helicopter skiing.

Book 6+ months in advance for peak January and February dates. The limited capacity fills completely.

Revelstoke Mountain coaster (summer)

Adventure

In summer the resort operates a mountain coaster that gives non-skiers a reason to visit. In winter the infrastructure context -- all that vertical -- makes more sense when you see it from the coaster track.

The Vibe at Revelstoke Mountain Resort

Revelstoke Mountain Resort has the largest vertical drop in North America and a town at the base that's finally developing the infrastructure worthy of the mountain above it. Come for the 5,620 feet of vert, stay because you can't stop thinking about it.