Revelstoke British Columbia Travel Guide
Revelstoke lies within the world's only inland temperate rainforest, in southeastern British Columbia. The city is situated at 480 m above sea level, on the banks of the Columbia River just south of the Revelstoke Dam and near its confluence with the Illecillewaet River. Founded in the 1880s with a strong connection to the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), Revelstoke today, known as "Revy" to the locals, has a population of about 8,300 residents.
 Vintage postcard of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) station with its classic, handpainted "REVELSTOKE." sign |
Moisture-laden air makes its way east from the pacific coast until it hits the Columbia and Rockies, where it drops a ton of rain and snow. Revelstoke alone sees up to 2,500 mm (98 inches) of precipitation each year. Summers are mild and rainy, winters are cold and snow-heavy.
Revelstoke is world renowned for its incredible terrain, from wide-open alpine bowls to perfectly spaced glades. Visitors and residents enjoy biking, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, shopping, an active museum scene and a vast array of other attractions and things to do, year-round!
Location
Revelstoke is located 641 km (398 mi) east of Vancouver, and 415 km (258 mi) directly west of Calgary, Alberta. The City of Banff is 283 km to the east.
It is 212 km from Kamloops, and 196 km from Kelowna (the locale of the nearest airport with scheduled airlines) to the southwest.
The city is positioned along the Canadian Pacific - Kansas City Southern Railway (CPKC) and the Trans-Canada Highway. Rogers Pass is located to the east, and Eagle Pass to the west.
See map below for location of area cities.
| Map showing the location of Revelstoke in British Columbia |
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Downtown Revelstoke in Summer |
Winter scene in downtown Revelstoke |
Revelstoke Business & Visitor Information CentreA good place for newcomers to begin their visit to the area is the Revelstoke Business & Visitor Information Centre. It is open year-round and the staff can help with accommodation bookings, activity suggestions, maps, directions and tips on local dining and attractions! The Centre also offers a great seletion of souvenirs, accessible facilities, a washroom, free computer use and free Wi-Fi access. Convenient parking is located outside for cars and RVs. The Centre is located at 301 Victoria Road West. Phone 250.837.5345. For more information, visit the website of the ... Revelstoke Business & Visitor Information Centre - Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce |
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Revelstoke Mountain ResortThis popular resort on Mount Mackenzie is home to the most severe vertical drop in North America at 1,713 metres (5,620 feet). It offers lift, cat, heli and backcountry skiing from a single village base, and 3,121 acres of skiable terrain. With 75 runs, the resort's terrain is 12% green, 43% intermediate, and 45% advanced skiing and boarding. In the summer the resort offers mountain bike trails, the Pipe Mountain Coaster and the Aerial Adventure Park. The Sutton Place Hotel is located at the base of the runs. For more information, visit the website of the Revelstoke Mountain Resort
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Mount Revelstoke National Park of CanadaMount Revelstoke National Park is known as a world-class skiing and snowboarding destination in winter, and home of ideal alpine hiking in the short summer season. A blanket of snow settles on the Park by mid-November, making it a perfect destination for a variety of winter recreation options. Most winter trails are on the lower slopes of Mount Revelstoke. Hiking in Mount Revelstoke National Park offers visitors the chance to explore the Columbia Mountains whether minutes from their car or hours from the nearest road. Trails range from short, valley-bottom strolls, to steep, tough climbs. Always be prepared for travel in a rugged mountain environment and unpredictable weather. The Meadows-in-the-Sky Parkway is a paved mountain road open during the snow-free months. The parkway begins in the rainforests of the park's southwest corner, winds upward through the sub-alpine forests and ends in the rolling sub-alpine wildflower meadows. The Monashee Mountains rise to the west, with the Selkirk range to the east. Giant Cedars Boardwalk is a 500 m. (0.3 mi.) interpretive trail that twists through a stand of old-growth western red cedar and hemlock trees, some more than 800 years old. Exhibits along the way explore the secrets of this inland rainforest. For more information, visit the website of Mount Revelstoke National Park
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Giant Cedars Boardwalk |
Meadows in the Sky Parkway |
Glacier National ParkGlacier National Park is situated on the Trans-Canada Highway between Yoho and Mount Revelstoke National Parks, a 4-hour drive from Calgary and 6.5-hour drive from Vancouver. With exceptional alpine scenery and deep valleys filled with ancient forests, Glacier National Park is a year-round paradise. Scale its heights following trails pioneered by legendary Swiss mountain guides, take a gentle stroll amid moss-draped old-growth cedars or hike through alpine meadows strewn with lichen-covered boulders. Steeped in history, Glacier Park is a year-round outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Scale jagged mountain peaks, camp next to roaring glacier-fed rivers or simply take a cool summer stroll or mountain bike ride beneath the towering old-growth trees of the world’s only inland cedar rainforest. Walk the abandoned rail bed that marks one of the final links in Canada’s first trans-continental railway or wander the ruins of the West’s first luxury mountain resort as you immerse yourself in a vital piece of Canada’s history. Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park is a popular backcountry ski touring destination with an average of 14 m of snowfall a year. The Rogers Pass Discovery Centre is open year-round and offers up-to-date park information, visitor services, and interpretive exhibits. The park is open year-round; valley bottom trails open around late May, while upper-elevation trails are typically snowed-in into early July. Day-use areas start to open in June, and campgrounds typically open in late June. The ski season is November to April. For more information, visit the website of Glacier National Park
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Revelstoke Railway Museum
Designed by Architect Paul Hughes, the Revelstoke Railway Museum was built by local craftsmen using locally-sourced timber sawn at local mills. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023 and widely recognized as one of the best small railway museums in Canada, the Museum has hosted over 500,000 visitors since opening in 1993 and has received numerous awards.
The Museum is located at 719 Track Street W, near the corner of Victoria Road and Pearson Street in Revelstoke. It is a short walk from downtown, close to cafes and located near the foot of the Nels Nelsen Historic Ski Jump Hike.
Hours vary during the year, with closures during winter months. For more information, ticketing and opening times, phone 250.837.6060. and visit the website of the Revelstoke Railway Museum
At Revelstoke, the Canadian Pacific's Shuswap Sub meets the Mountain Sub. The Shuswap Sub runs to the west to Kamloops, BC (towards Vancouver, BC), and the Mountain Sub runs to the east to Field, BC, through Rogers Pass.
Virtual Railfan is dedicated to providing a live streaming experience to railfans across the globe. Located on the south side of the Revelstoke Railway Museum is a web cam showing two tracks of eastbound and westbound trains carrying coal, potash, grain, oil, freight and intermodal containers 24/7. |
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CPKC Revelstoke YardThe CPKC Railway main rail yard is located on the eastern side of Revelstoke. |
Revelstoke Dam Visitor CentreRevelstoke Dam, also known as Revelstoke Canyon Dam, is a hydroelectric dam across the Columbia River, 5 km (3.1 mi) north of Revelstoke. The powerhouse was completed in 1984. The reservoir behind the dam is named Lake Revelstoke. At the Revelstoke Dam Visitor Centre, visitors learn about the history of the dam, enjoy fun and educational exhibits, and experience the popular First Nations Gallery. For more information and opening dates and times, visit the website of the Revelstoke Dam Visitor Centre
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The Revelstoke Museum & ArchivesRevelstoke Museum and Archives is a dynamic space where the community and its history is celebrated. Prepare to be surprised as you explore the two floors of exhibits, filled with amazing artifacts and captivating stories. The building was constructed in 1926 as the Revelstoke Post Office and Customs, and became home to the Museum in 1974. It has retained many of its original features, including marble and terrazzo in the entrance, and the original fir flooring on the second floor. The Museum is located at 315 First Street West. Phone 250.837.3067 For more information and opening dates and times, visit the website of the Revelstoke Museum & Archives |
More Revelstoke Attractions
The Revelstoke area is home to many other exciting and interesting attractions! Here are some highlights ...
- The Enchanted Forest
- Three Valley Gap Ghost Town
- Blanket Creek Provincial Park
- Moses Falls
- Walks on the Greenbelt
Map of the Revelstoke BC Area
Lodging Options in the Revelstoke Area
From budget to boutique to upscale, from in the city to on the slopes ... Revelstoke offers a variety of lodging .. Revelstoke Hotel/Lodging Listings and Reviews at TripAdvisor Revelstoke Vacation Rentals at TripAdvisor
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Highlights of Lodging Options |
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Sutton Place Hotel |
Glacier House Resort |
Three Valley Lake Chateau |
Best Western Plus |
Dining Options in Revelstoke
Revelstoke Dining and Restaurant Reviews at TripAdvisor
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Highlights of Dining Options |
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Quartermaster Eatery |
Main Street Cafe |
Revelstoke Weather
Summers are generally warm and rainy with cool nights, while winters are cold, snowy and very cloudy.
Revelstoke on average experiences 50.3 days below 0 °C (32 °F), 13.5 days above 30 °C (86 °F) and one day above 35 °C (95 °F). The highest single-day snowfall recorded was 60.2 cm (23.7 in) and occurred on December 10, 1980, and the highest-ever snow depth recorded was 173 cm (68.1 in) on February 15, 1982.
Current Revelstoke weather conditions are shown below along with the day-by-day weather forecast.
| REVELSTOKE WEATHER |
Arriving in Revelstoke
By Car, Bus or RV
Revelstoke is located along the Trans-Canada Highway, 641 km (398 mi) east of Vancouver, and 415 km (258 mi) directly west of Calgary, Alberta. The City of Banff is 283 km to the east.
It is 212 km from Kamloops, and 196 km (2.5 hours) from Kelowna.
By Airline
Revelstoke Airport (CYRV) is located about 5 km south of the city, and features a paved 1,471 metres runway. It does not offer regular airline service, only charter and private aircraft operations.
Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is the nearest airport from Revelstoke with scheduled airline service. It is Interior British Columbia's largest airport, with daily non-stop flights to/from Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Vancouver, Seattle and Los Angeles via Air Canada, WestJet, and Alaska Airlines. Seasonal service is provided to Las Vegas, Phoenix, Montreal, and Mexico.
Shuttles and car rentals are available at the Kelowna airport.
More Information and Resources about Revelstoke |
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Other Popular Canada Destinations |
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