Revelstoke

2007 saw the opening of North America’s newest ski area, Revelstoke Mountain Resort. At a time when global warming is waging a (winning) war of attrition on ski destinations south of the border, Revelstoke is gambling that’s its northerly location and impressive snowfall record will prove to be a strong magnet to skiers throughout the continent.

The $1-billion project has grand ambitions. By completion, it’s planned there will be 20 lifts serving over 130 runs. Accommodation in the ski village is projected at 2000 hotel rooms and 1500 condos.

Currently the figures are slightly more modest, just 5 lifts serving 32 runs. But the resort’s slogan, ‘The Longest Skiable Vertical in North America’ is already true – the vertical is an amazing mile plus. Revelstoke also claims to be the only resort in the world offering lift-skiing, cat-skiing and heli-skiing right from the village base.

There is a small area for Beginners with a magic carpet lift, situated just above the Day Lodge. The ski school runs excellent beginners courses, and should have you gliding down the long easy Long Spike run (overall 8 miles in length, but you can join near its end) by the finish of your first week.

The choice for Intermediates is wider, with a number of exciting trails. A favorite is Critical Path, off the top chair.

Experts will dream that they’ve arrived in heaven. There are 4 alpine bowls to pick from. The fantastic North Bowl is lift served, the other 3 are reached by Cat (or by a hike). It’s true to say the powder skiing is good-to-go all season long.

Accommodation in the actual ski village is still very limited. You’ll find the vast majority of lodgings in nearby Revelstoke - it’s a short 2 mile drive from the town along Camozzi Road above the airport to the ski base. With its roots as a mining supply center in the 1880s, Revelstoke is a pretty town with many attractive Victorian buildings. Quaint shops, friendly coffee bars and good-value restaurants can all be found in the town center. Those with young kids will appreciate the excellent swimming pool complex, with slides and rapids.