The Skiers' Guide to Revelstoke

Revelstoke Mountain Resort sits in the heart of British Columbia's interior mountains, delivering one of North America's most thrilling ski experiences. With an overall rating of 4.63/5 from our community, it's clear why this powder paradise draws skiers from across the globe.

What sets Revelstoke apart is its remarkable vertical drop – stretching from 2,225m at the peak down to 512m at the base, giving you over 1,700m of vertical to play with. That's the longest vertical in North America, something our users frequently celebrate in their reviews.

The resort operates just 6 lifts (1 gondola, 3 chairlifts, and 2 drag lifts) but offers access to 59 marked runs across a diverse terrain mix. The mountain particularly excels for powder zones (4.84/5), tree runs (4.73/5), and off-piste adventures (4.81/5) – ranking among North America's best for these categories.

As Konstantin, an advanced snowboarder in our community notes: "It has really nice tree and powder terrain, both steep & mellow options, and the snow stays dry and fluffy all the time!"

Revelstoke's terrain caters primarily to confident skiers and riders, with exceptional scores for intermediates (4.61/5), advanced skiers (4.66/5), and experts (4.61/5). The mountain also ranks particularly high for snowboarders (4.75/5), though some reviews mention traversing can be challenging.

With 59 marked runs spread across its expansive terrain, the mountain offers plenty of variety despite its relatively simple lift system. The lift efficiency (4.47/5) earns solid ratings, though lift queues can build on powder days, especially at the gondola.

Carson, an expert snowboarder, recommends: "North bowl was awesome. I definitely recommend hiking to the top after taking all the lifts – it was definitely worth it. So much to explore on this mountain."

Where Revelstoke truly shines is in its off-piste and tree skiing opportunities. Our users rate the tree runs (4.73/5) among the best in Canada. Matthew, an expert snowboarder, enthuses: "Revelstoke is the best mountain I have ever skied. Insane powder every day, short lift lines, and stunning views from the gondola. Tree skiing is awesome."

While not known as a beginner's paradise, Francesca, a beginner snowboarder, shared: "Had the best time, every run was groomed very nicely. There is terrain for anyone. As a beginner the green runs were kind of tight but because they were groomed so well it felt so easy."

The dining scene at Revelstoke earns solid eating out (4.07/5) scores from our community, with both on-mountain options and the nearby town earning praise.

On the mountain, the Mackenzie Outpost gets multiple mentions for its burgers. Devon, an advanced skier, recommends: "Best smash burgers at Mackenzie Outpost with a great Begbie cream ale to wash it down." Nelson, an expert skier, agrees but cautions: "The burger at the Mackenzie Outpost is a must try, but don't go during lunch time, way too many people."

The town of Revelstoke itself, just a short drive from the resort, offers a wider variety of dining options. Mack, an advanced snowboarder, notes that "food options are the best I've seen in town," while Emile suggests there are "excellent options for eating and going out."

Several users mention that the resort is still developing its on-mountain dining facilities, with limited options during peak periods.

Revelstoke scores a respectable 3.81/5 for après-ski, but it's worth noting this isn't a traditional European-style après scene. The après activity is split between the base area and the town itself.

Alex, an advanced snowboarder, enjoys "the friendly après vibe is always nice after a day in the mountain," while Pete, an expert skier from the UK, notes: "The only minor downside to Revy is that there's limited après at the bottom of the hill (Rockford Bar & Mackenzie Tavern), but the town has a lively après scene. Last Drop, Village Idiot, Chubby Funsters and other bars/restaurants are all lively and offer typical Canadian food and beer from local micro breweries."

The town's après scene earns particular praise for its authenticity and local feel. Matthew appreciates that "Revy the town holds its small ski town feel, as opposed to a tourist trap like Banff/Whistler."

For a true Revelstoke après experience, most users recommend heading into town rather than staying at the base area, with several mentioning the quality of local craft beers as a highlight.

Revelstoke earns a solid 4.08/5 for family friendliness, though opinions vary on its suitability for families, particularly those with young or beginner skiers.

Laura, an intermediate snowboarder, cautions: "Wouldn't necessarily recommend for beginners or families, as green runs/beginner areas are limited compared to other resorts." Sophia, an advanced snowboarder, agrees: "It's not very family friendly (there's no large lodge and only 1 food option)."

However, other users have had positive family experiences. Susan, an advanced skier, was impressed with the training facilities: "I've never seen a training area that was so well suited to progressive training - from rank beginner to upper intermediate/lower advanced. Right within the training area is 'mock' off-piste terrain with gullies, small cliffs, short spans of steeper pitches, and trees. I've never seen anything like it."

The ski school quality (4.15/5) receives good ratings, making it a viable option for families with more confident young skiers looking to improve their skills.

Several users mention that the resort is evolving and expanding its offerings for families, with Jeremy noting: "Not the best resort for beginners or families but terrain expansion is looking to change that."

Accommodation in Revelstoke receives a solid 3.98/5 for options, with choices split between staying at the base area or in the town itself.

The resort base has limited but growing accommodation options. Glenn, an advanced skier, notes: "At this point there's not a lot of on-mountain accommodations to choose from and what there is can be a bit pricey. Plus once the lifts close for the day it's pretty quiet up there."

Many of our users recommend staying in the town of Revelstoke, which offers more variety. Shawnee, an advanced snowboarder, mentions: "The small town has lots of food options and accommodation." Several users highlight that town accommodation is just a quick shuttle ride from the mountain.

Samantha, an expert snowboarder, points out that "Revelstoke is a small town so not many accommodation options," while others mention that booking early is essential during peak periods, especially after significant snowfall.

The proximity between town and mountain is viewed as a positive, with many users appreciating the authentic mountain town experience that comes with staying in Revelstoke proper rather than in purpose-built resort accommodation.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort has made strides towards environmental stewardship, though specific sustainability initiatives aren't frequently highlighted in our user reviews. The resort operates within pristine mountain ecosystems, and maintaining this natural environment appears to be a priority.

The resort's compact lift system and focus on natural terrain rather than extensive artificial development helps minimize environmental impact compared to larger, more developed resorts. The proximity to town enables efficient shuttle services, reducing the need for individual transport.

As the resort continues to expand, users will likely see more formal sustainability initiatives implemented. Currently, the resort's greatest environmental asset is its natural snow abundance, reducing reliance on energy-intensive snowmaking compared to many other North American resorts.