Revelstoke Powder Skiing, B.C.

Revelstoke is located in central British Columbia where the Trans Canada highway crosses the Columbia River, 2.5-3 hours east of Kamloops / Sun Peaks, and 2.5-3 hours north of Kelowna / Big White. It is also home base for some of the world's finest backcountry powder skiing.

 

Heliskiing

There are two heliski operators. Canadian Mountain Holidays skis primarily in the southern Monashees west of the river, and accepts skiers only for full week packages including hotel, meals and rental of skis and poles at about $3,500 US in peak season. Selkirk-Tangiers Heliskiing skis mostly in the central Selkirks east of the river, up to the border of Canada's Glacier National Park. They offer 3, 5 and 7 day packages, with day skiers permitted if the packages are not full. Packages, not including optional ski rental, run about $550 US per day, while day skiers will likely spend about $450 US. While there is glacier skiing above 7,000 feet, CMH estimates that 70% of the skiing is in the trees due to the abundant snowfall (see below). The tree skiing is steep and deep, and prior backcountry powder experience is strongly recommended at either operation, except for selected weeks where instruction is offered.

 

Snowcat Skiing

CAT Powder Skiing skis on the upper slopes (6,000-7,500 feet) of Mt. MacKenzie a few miles southeast of Revelstoke. Skiers board the snowcat at the 2,200 foot base of the small Powder Springs ski area for an hour ride to the top. There are 6,000 acres of south-facing terrain overlooking Powder Springs and the Columbia River, plus another 2,000 acres on the north side, which is used if the sun degrades the south side. The upper terrain is about half alpine and half trees. A typical day includes 6-8 runs on the upper slopes plus the 5,000 vertical run (you can ride the cat down if the lower mountain is crud) to Powder Springs at the end of the day. A two-day package including food and lodging in Revelstoke (but not optional ski rental) is about $550 US.

 

Backcountry

Since snowcat and heliskiing are not permitted in Glacier National Park, Rogers Pass (the 4,200 foot high point of the Trans Canada highway east of Revelstoke) is a Mecca for telemark and other skiers who prefer to earn their turns in search of powder. Transceivers and rescue equipment are essential, as should be a guide for skiers unfamiliar with the terrain. All Canadian heli and snowcat operators are required to provide transceivers to their customers, along with instruction on their use.

 

 

Skiing

 

Season

Percent

Percent

SNOW CONDITIONS

Altitude

Season

Standard

High Mths

Low Mths

 

Range

Average

Deviation

GE 90 in.

LT 30 in.

Mt. Fidelity, B.C. (Glacier N.P.) 6,150

3,000-10,000

494

89

48%

5%