Revelstoke - city in British Columbia, Canada

Revelstoke is a city of 6,700 people (2016) in the Columbia-Rockies section of the Kootenays in British Columbia.

Understand

The city is on the banks of the Columbia River just south of the Revelstoke Dam and near its confluence with the Illecillewaet River. East of Revelstoke are the Selkirk Mountains and Glacier National Park, penetrated by Rogers Pass used by the Trans-Canada Highway and the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). South of the community down the Columbia River are the Arrow Lakes and the Kootenays. West of the city is Eagle Pass through the Monashee Mountains and the route to Shuswap Lake.

Revelstoke's economy has traditionally been tied to the CPR, and it maintains a strong connection to that industry. However forestry, construction, tourism and retail have increased over the past decades. Today, telecommuters, freelancers, tech workers and entrepreneurs play an increasingly important role in Revelstoke's success.

History

Revelstoke was founded in the 1880s when the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) was built through the area; mining was an important early industry. It was named Farwell, after a local land owner and surveyor. Until then, the spot was called the Second Crossing, to differentiate it from the first crossing of the Columbia River by the CPR at Donald. The city was named by the CPR in appreciation of Lord Revelstoke, head of the UK investment bank that saved the railway from bankruptcy in the summer of 1885 by buying the company's unsold bonds, enabling the railway to reach completion.

The construction of the Trans-Canada Highway in 1962 further eased access to the region, and since then tourism has been an important feature of the local economy, with skiing having emerged as the most prominent attraction.

Revelstoke BC is in prime black bear and grizzly bear habitat.

Revelstoke holds the Canadian record for snowiest single winter. 2447 cm (80 feet) of snow fell on Mt. Copeland outside town during the winter of 1971-72. The townsite received 779 cm and snow levels were higher than many roofs around town by more than a few metres.

Get in

By car

Revelstoke is on Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway), midway between Calgary and Vancouver. It is most easily accessible by car.

By plane

• Revelstoke Airport (IATA: YRV), 50.9667°, -118.183°. Seasonal charter from Vancouver. 2023-03-22
• The nearest airports with scheduled flights are in Kamloops and Kelowna, and both are roughly 2.5 hours drive away by car.

By bus

• Rider Express. Multiple days per week service along the Trans-Canada Highway from between Calgary and Vancouver with stops in Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise, Golden, Revelstoke, Sicamous, Salmon Arm, Sorrento, Chase, Kamloops, Merritt, Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and Surrey. Travel time to Revelstoke from Calgary is 5.5 hours, from Banff is 4 hours, from Lake Louise is 3.25 hours, from Golden is 1.5 hours, from Salmon Arm is 1.5 hours, from Kamloops is 3 hours, from Hope is 6 hours, from Abbotsford is 7 hours, and from Vancouver is 8.25 hours. From Calgary, this service provider offers routes that enable passengers to reach Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon. 2022-03-19

Get around

The small town size makes walking or biking sufficient for getting around much of the town.

By public transit

• BC Transit (Revelstoke Transit System), +1-250-837-3888. Operates several bus routes within Revelstoke from Monday to Saturday. 2022-04-09

By taxi

• Howard's Taxi, +1 250-683-2733. 2022-07-29
• Johnnie's Taxi, +1 250-837-3000. 2022-07-29

See

• Revelstoke Museum & Archives, 315 First St W, 51.00027°, -118.19793°, +1 250-837-3067. Mon-Sat 10 AM-5 PM, closed Sun. A museum that has exhibits featuring Revelstoke and the surrounding area. 2023-03-24
• Revelstoke Railway Museum, 719 Track St W (near Victoria Rd & Long Ave), 51.004042°, -118.200436°, +1 250 837 6060, railway@telus.net. May-Sep: 9AM-5PM daily; Oct-Apr: W-Sa noon-5PM. Contains exhibits on the building of the railway, the workers involved and current operations. 2023-03-22
• The Last Spike, Trans-Canada Highway, Craigellachie (45 km west of Revelstoke on Hwy 1). Gift shop and info center open May-Oct. A plaque and display commemorate the site where the last spike in the Canadian Pacific (trans-continental) railway was hammered in. 2019-06-10
• The Enchanted Forest, 50.971969°, -118.565363°, +1 250-837-9477, info@enchantedforestbc.com. Opened to the public in 1960s, an interactive exhibit of over 350 jolly folk art figurines, BC’s tallest, grandest tree house that rises 50 feet (15 m) into the forest canopy, a giant cedar stump house, castle, dungeons and dragon. For kids of all ages. 2019-06-09
• Three Valley Gap (3 Valley Gap Heritage Ghost Town), +1 250-837-2109, hello@3valley.com. 3 Valley Gap Heritage Ghost Town gives you the opportunity to relive the colourful pioneer days of the late 1800s. Gold fever brought thousands of fortune seekers to this part of the country in 1862. The gold rush was short-lived, leaving behind many abandoned buildings and towns, now known as Ghost Towns. 2019-06-09
• Revelstoke Dam, 51.04°, -118.2086°, +1 250 814 6697, revelstoke@bchydro.com. One of the most powerful hydro dams in BC, standing at 175 m (575 ft) tall. Holding the headwaters to the Columbia River. The Revelstoke Dam Visitor Centre will remained closed for the remainder of 2021 due to COVID-19. No tours will be conducted and the building will be closed. Adult $8, child $7 2021-08-10

Do

• Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR), 2950 Camozzi Road (heading south of downtown on Airport Way, left on Nichol Rd to the end, right on Camazoni Rd), 50.95834°, -118.16370°, +1 250-814-0087. Winter season: 8:30AM-4PM. As of 2019, summer and winter operations. Summer: Western Canada's first "Pipe Mountain Coaster", lift assisted mountain biking and hiking. Winter: RMR boasts the most lift accessed vertical in North America at 1,713 m (5,620 ft). RMR gets 12-18 m of snow yearly on 3,121 acres of fall line skiing, high alpine bowls, 13 areas of gladed terrain and more groomed terrain. There is a daylodge off of the first gondola stop that serves food and drinks, as well as a small restaurant at the top of the gondola also serving food and drinks. At the base of the ski hill are 2 restaurants, and lift ticket, gear sales and ski and snowboard rental services. $129 winter, $25 summer 2016-02-12
  • The resort shuttle or hitchhiking are two popular alternatives for accessing the resort from town without a car.  The resort shuttle ($4 per trip, complimentary if staying at some accommodations) travels between the resort, and Columbia Park, downtown, Southside and Arrow Heights.
• Mount Revelstoke National Park, 51.0121°, -118.1921°. 2022-06-09
• Revelstoke is home to four heli-skiing and two cat-skiing operations.
• There are numerous backcountry skiing lodges in the area.
• Revelstoke is also a major snowmobiling destination.
• In the summer, mountain biking, rock climbing and kayaking are popular activities.

Buy

• Alpine Village Shopping Centre, 555 Victoria Rd, 51.00178°, -118.19924°, +1 250-837-2609. The largest mall in town. 2023-03-24
• Universal Footwear, 7-555 Victoria Rd (within Alpine Village Shopping Centre), 51.00157°, -118.19951°, +1 250-837-3855. M-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su 11AM-4PM. True local shopping experience, offering great selection and unparalleled customer service. Brands include Clarks, Ecco, Josef Siebel, El Naturalista, Ms Moo, Scarpa, Dunham, Nike and New Balance. 2023-03-24
• Style Trend Clothiers, 204 First St W, 50.99961°, -118.19633°, +1 250-837-5606. For men's and women's fashion. 2023-03-24

Eat

• Woolsey Creek Restaurant, 604 Second St W (corner of Garden Street), 51.00150°, -118.20092°, +1 250-837-5500, dine@woolseycreekbistro.ca. 5-10PM. Casual fine dinning with cozy atmosphere, Patio and fire places. Duck Confit, Jambalaya, chorizo pasta, Beef tenderloin, and a good selection of BC wines. $20 2023-03-24

Drink

• Traverse Nightclub (1st Street west), 310 First St W, 51.00032°, -118.19749°, +1 250-837-2227. 6PM-2AM. Traverse Nightclub is an EDM nightclub open in the Winter season. Live DJ's featured almost every weekend throughout the Winter. 2023-03-24
• The Village Idiot Bar & Grill, 306 Mackenzie Ave, 50.99786°, -118.19634°, +1 250-837-6240. A bar offering good food and drink and retro ski decor, ideal for après or dinner after a day on the mountain. Their homemade pizza is a highlight. 2023-03-24

Sleep

Hotels & motels

• Best Western Plus Revelstoke, 1925 Laforme Boulevard, 51.009885°, -118.219254°, +1 250-837-2043. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 2019-06-11
• Coast Hillcrest Hotel, 2100 Oak Drive, 50.995307°, -118.162970°, +1 250-837-3322. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Full-service hotel features two restaurants, outdoor Jacuzzi, game room, health spa, and fitness centre. From $150 2019-06-11
• Monashee Lodge, 1601 3 Street W, 51.007067°, -118.213865°, +1 250-814-2553. $99+ 2019-06-11
• Ramada (Ramada by Wyndham Revelstoke), 1750 Trans Canada Highway (Jct Hwy 1 & Hwy 23 north), 51.009896°, -118.210826°, +1 250-837-4741. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. From $118 2019-06-11
• Regent Hotel, 112 1st Street E, 50.998476°, -118.194310°, +1 250-837-2107, info@regenthotel.ca. Historic landmark hotel with boutique style rooms. From $150 2019-06-11
• Revelstoke Lodge, 601 1st Street W, 51.001928°, -118.201198°, +1 250-837-2181, innkeeper@revelstokelodge.com. King Room or Queen Room with 2 Queen Beds. From $129 2019-06-11
• Sandman Hotel, 1901 Laforme Boulevard, 51.009937°, -118.218411°, +1 250-837-5271, reservations@sandman.ca. From $105 2019-06-11
• Super 8 (Super 8 by Wyndham Revelstoke), 1700 Victoria Street W, 51.009336°, -118.213872°, +1 250-984-7039. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. From $109 2019-06-11
• Swiss Chalet Motel, 1101 Victoria Road W, 51.005839°, -118.205480°, +1 250-837-4650, questions@swisschaletmotel.com. $96-165 2019-06-11
• Eleven Revelstoke Lodge, 111 First St W, 50.998951°, -118.196029°. Rooms are a blend of timeless style and modern design. 1911 brick, elegant woodwork, locally made furniture, artisan headboards, and warm textiles. Private rooftop lounge. From $250 2019-06-11
• The Stoke Hotel, 1911 Fraser Drive, 51.008119°, -118.218776°, +1 250-837-5221, info@stokehotel.ca. Boutique hotel with unique design and humble Canadiana style. Pet friendly. 2019-06-11
• Three Valley Lake Chateau, Three Valley Gap (21 km west of Revelstoke on Hwy 1), +1 250-837-2109, hello@3valley.com. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. 200 spacious rooms and suites each feature a private balcony or patio. 2019 season: Apr 30 - Oct 1. 2019-06-09

Camping

• Blanket Creek Provincial Park. 105 vehicle accessible sites, 7 of these are doubles. There are no pull-through sites or tent pads, but tents can be placed on the campsite gravel pad. $28/night 2019-06-12
• Boulder Mountain Resort, 3069 Trans-Canada Hwy (3.5 km west of Revelstoke on Hwy 1), 50.991329°, -118.262313°, +1 250-837-4420, info@bouldermountainresort.ca. Offers full-service RV sites, "glamping", tenting, and modern cabins and suites with free fibre optic WI-FI. 2019-06-12
• Canyon Hot Springs, Albert Canyon (35 km east of Revelstoke on Hwy 1, between Mt. Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks), 51.137037°, -117.858245°, +1 250-837-2420, camprevelstoke@gmail.com. 200+ RV and tent sites, cabins, chalets, hot springs and pet friendly 2019-06-11
• Lamplighter Campground, 1760 Nixon Road, 51.000724°, -118.221000°, +1 250-837-3385, lamplightercampground@gmail.com. 2019-06-12
• Martha Creek Provincial Park. 46 vehicle accessible campsites, including 4 doubles. $28/night 2019-06-12
• Revelstoke Campground (formerly Revelstoke KOA), 2411 KOA Road, 50.992320°, -118.160062°, +1 250-837-2085, camprevelstoke@gmail.com. 177 RV and tent sites, cabins, chalets, pool and pet friendly 2019-06-11
• Smokey Bear Campground Resort, 3287 Weird Woods Rd (5 km west of Revelstoke on Hwy 1), 50.989396°, -118.278757°, +1 250-837-9573, smokeybear@rctvonline.net. 2019-06-12
• Williamson Lake Campground, 1817 Williamson's Lake Rd (5 km south of downtown Revelstoke on 4th St/Airport Way), 50.967760°, -118.171654°, +1 250-837-8806, williamsonslake@gmail.com. Full service campground on Williamson Lake; 42 campsites. 2019-06-12

Connect

Revelstoke has a variety of online community and tourist resources.

• City of Revelstoke, official town website.
• The Stoke List, Revys classifieds.
• The Revelstoke Current, a local news source.
• seerevelstoke.com, a directory.

Go next

The Trans Canada Hwy #1 east of Revelstoke continues on to the town of Golden, passing through Mount Revelstoke National Park and Glacier National Park on its way. The Rogers Pass discovery centre is definitely worth visiting, as are the multitude of small hikes within the parks.