The unbelievable snow totals and plush pillow lines may have convinced you to visit…
and yes, it’s even better in person once you arrive. But, so is the incredibly charming and welcoming town of Revelstoke. Revy, as the locals call it, may convince you to take a day off the slopes and linger over a perfectly pulled espresso or leisurely stroll around main street. Even if you don’t take a full day off (we don’t), there’s plenty of time before the lifts open and after they close to enjoy all that the town of Revy has to offer.
- Where to grab coffee and tea
- Where to eat a delicious meal
- Best places to stay (according to us)
- Best après deals in Revelstoke
- What to do on a rest day
The town of Revelstoke is located right off the Trans Canada Highway, and it serves as the perfect base camp for snowboarding the Monashees and Selkirks via heli, cat, or lift at nearby Revelstoke Mountain Resort. (Be sure to check out our full guide for everything you need to know before snowboarding at Revelstoke.)
“Revy, as the locals call it, may convince you to take a day off the slopes…”
Where to Stay
A good night’s rest isn’t hard to come by in Revelstoke. From hostels to luxury boutique properties and slope-side condos, Revelstoke has something for everyone and every budget.
The Sutton Place Hotel is the only ski-in ski-out property at Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s base, and the location is unbeatable for the resort. The condo-style rooms are a warm and inviting place to return after an active day on the mountain as is the pool and hot tub area in the courtyard. An added perk is a nightly complimentary B.C. wine reception for all guests to enjoy in the lobby next to the roaring fire. My only gripe during our stay was unreliable wi-fi in the room, but I took it as a sign that work could wait.
Chain hotels, like Best Western and Ramada by Wyndham, have everything you need and nothing you don’t. Plus, the complimentary hot breakfast at the Ramada by Wyndham is hearty and streamlines your morning so you’re fueled and on the slopes as fast as possible. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and we can personally vouch for the Ramada by Wyndham’s solid spread.
The Explorers Society Hotel is the only boutique hotel in Revelstoke and conveniently located in downtown. It has a rustic-meets-refined vibe with locally made furniture and artisan details so every corner of the historic building is Instagram-worthy. It follows a “play hard, rest hard” ethos. Breakfast, served on the rooftop guest lounge, is complimentary.
Where to Grab Coffee and Tea
Early wake-ups and the Pacific Time Zone call for caffeine before hitting the lifts. Here’s where we recommend grabbing a cup of joe (or large latte) before first chair.
Dose Coffee serves coffee and food with an Australian twist thanks to the Aussie owners. Paired with a plethora of milk alternatives, there’s no reason to venture anywhere else for a cup of joe. Plus, the flat white is fab, naturally. La Baguette is right up there for strong, flavorful coffee. It brings a Quebecois flair to coffees, teas, and bakery fare.
Where to Après (Best Drinks and Bars in Revelstoke)
Après ski starts right on the mountain if you pause at Revelation Lodge en route to the base. This popular dining spot offers deals on drinks and a sunny patio where you can sip and savor them until you’re ready to descend. Down at the base village, Rockford Wok Bar & Grill has more daily specials and a long list of local brews and wine.
The Last Drop Pub in the Powder Springs Inn might have all other town bars beat for specials with deals every night of the week. Tuesdays and Saturdays are $5 pint-and-$12 jug nights and any day the $12 burger and beer deal is valid. (Don’t forget these are Canadian prices, too.) Every Wednesday night, the Last Drop Pub hosts Open Mic Night. No wonder it’s “where hungry friends come to drink.” A few blocks away, The Village Idiot does après so well, you’ll want to stay for dinner, and you should. The Revy staple is decorated cleverly with ski and snowboard gear, and its mountain charm draws big crowds.
Mt. Begbie Brewing Co.‘s tasting room with stunning views of its namesake nearly 9,000-foot mountain is a must-visit. The local microbrewery has a cozy fireplace and an artisan food menu, on top of 16 taps. Grab a flight or a few pints and be sure to ask about the experimental brews before heading out. (All beers are 100% natural with no additives or preservatives, thanks to brewer Bart Larson, who also happens to have a Ph.D. in nuclear physics.)
Where to Eat a Delicious Meal at the Best Restaurants in Revelstoke
Breakfast, whether it’s a leisurely morning or grab and go before hitting the slopes, is best at Dose Coffee. This local hangout created by Australian transplants is the perfect blend of welcoming and hipster serving up coffee drinks, smoothies, pastries, and more. Vegan, vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free options are plentiful and delicious no matter what food restrictions you may or many not have. Another morning staple is Main Street Cafe, located in a historic home with exposed brick walls. Known for eggs Benedicts and complimentary coffee refills, it’s so homey you’d expect to find mom or grandma whipping up the eggs in the kitchen.
For lunch on-mountain, take your pick of Revelation Lodge, Mackenzie Outpost, or one of the warming huts. Our personal pick is a brown bag in a warming hut. The wooden buildings located at the tops of the lifts heat up with sun streaming in on clear days and the floor to ceiling windows offer views of the valley and mountains on beyond.
The Village Idiot isn’t just for après ski. It’s much more than a mountain culture-infused bar, serving up legendary pizzas and colossal burgers. The large tables turn nearby strangers into friends as you swap adventure tales and chow down on hearty dishes. Overall, it checks all the boxes for refueling after a day on the slopes. (Pro tip: The complimentary Big Eddy Shuttle safely transports guests to or from their accommodations for an evening of Revy revelry in winter.)
If the wait is too long, head to Chubby Funsters or Nico’s. Chubby Funsters comes from the same owners as The Village Idiot with its own funky vibe on Main Street. Stop by for regional entrees, burgers, and local brews (bring a buddy to take on a 60-ounce jug of Mt. Begbie craft beer). Nico’s cooks up perfect pizzas named after your favorite Revelstoke runs and seven (!!) different Quebec-style poutines with homemade gravy and fresh-cut fries all in a warm and welcoming shop. Bierhaus is world famous for mac n cheese creations. What makes them stand out is the base of house-made noodles and creative toppings. Pair with a pint from the rotating taps for a perfect night out.
For a fancier evening out, there are a few fine dining options around Revelstoke. Quartermaster Eatery has a sophisticated menu and artful cocktails. The burgers, both beef and veggie, are topnotch. 112 Restaurant and Lounge has been serving up great food (like locally sourced salmon and steak), drinks, and live music for four decades. Plus, wine, beer, and cocktail specials change nightly. Woolsey Creek Bistro is a farm-to-table gem, focused on organic, local ingredients in a cozy, relaxed environment. A local favorite is the homemade bison ravioli.
And come spring, there’s no reason to go farther than the fire pits and outdoor patio of the Rockford Wok Bar Grill at the base. Floor-to-ceiling windows keep the runs in view, while enjoying Asian-inspired dishes and daily specials.
Worthwhile Attractions Off the Revelstoke Slopes
If you feel your slope stoke waining, head back to town for a rest day. Revelstoke’s mountain adventure goes way beyond the resort boundaries with surprisingly fun alternatives.
For starters, there’s the Revelstoke Railway Museum with vintage engines and train cars. Visit the Last Spike, the historic site where the Canadian Pacific Railway was completed in 1885. It’s right off the Trans Canada highway by Craigellachie, and 30 miles outside of Revelstoke. There is a seasonal interpretive center and gift shop, a picnic area, and monument. Without the railroad, there wouldn’t be a town to visit.
Or, take a tour of Mt. Begbie Brewing Co. Tours start at 4:00 pm Monday through Saturday. Soak away sore muscles and get away from the frigid weather in the Revelstoke Community & Aquatic Center. There’s a lazy river, hot tub, water slide, and a 25-meter pool for swimming laps all inside a climate controlled facility.
If indoor activities aren’t appealing, book a dog sledding excursion or head out backcountry riding via splitboarding, ski touring, or heli-skiing operations. Nordic skiing around the McPherson trail system opens up 26 km of groomed trails set for both classic and skating techniques as well as 6 km of lit trails for night nordic. There’s a cozy main lodge to relax afterwards.
Head to a nearby natural hot springs at Halcyon Hot Springs. It’s an hour, including a ferry ride, away, but the views and the healing waters are more than worth the trek. There are relaxing alternatives right in Revelstoke with free meditation at Balu Yoga. The complimentary 30-minute class is at 7:30 am every Wednesday morning, and consider returning for the Yoga for Skiers and Boarders later in the day. The 75-minute, flow-style class is designed to build strength and balance with no flexibility or prior practice required.
Getting There & Around
Revelstoke is remote, the nearest major airport is 2.5 hours away in Kelowna or Kamloops and the nearest international airport is 4.5 hours away in Calgary (both time estimates without snow or other road delays).
Revelstoke does have a regional airport, however snowstorms and visibility often interfere with flights. (We talked to enough people griping about cancellations and delays to be glad we drove from larger airports.) We recommend taking a scenic drive from Kelowna, Kamloops, or Calgary to avoid cancelled flights. Both driving routes are beautiful, but come prepared with winter driving experience and a vehicle that can handle snow and icy conditions. (It’s smart to confirm that ahead with rental car companies.) The roads can easily be closed for avalanche control work so check ahead of time and monitor B.C. highway cameras here.
Once in town, you don’t have to drive if you don’t want to. You can hop on the Revelstoke Resort Express, a local shuttle that operates between town and the base area. Visitors staying in accommodations in town can enjoy complimentary rides. Revelstoke is also a walkable town, with most restaurants and bars centrally located.
Jennifer Nied has more than 10 years of writing and editing experience specializing in adventure and wellness travel, fitness, and spa. A Colorado native, Jennifer has been snowboarding for more than 23 years. She is a contributing writer for Women’s Health and her work has appeared in Budget Travel, American Spa, Good Housekeeping, Apartment Therapy, and more.
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