Jamie and Dre in the center of Revelstoke town.

If you’re chasing deep snow, big mountain terrain, and authentic ski-town energy, winter in Revelstoke should be high on your list.

We spent a full week here during our Powder Highway road trip, living in the van right off the main highway and skiing every chance we got. When friends came to visit, we upgraded to a place minutes from the resort, and quickly understood why so many people fall in love with this town.

Revelstoke is raw, real, and ridiculously good when it comes to snow. Here’s everything you need to know before planning your winter trip.

*We’ve included affiliate links in the article below to help direct you to the spots, experiences, and gear that we love. Please consider using them if you’re booking a stay or gearing up for your Powder Highway adventure!

Why Revelstoke in Winter?

Winter is what Revelstoke does best.

Home to Revelstoke Mountain Resort, the resort boasts:

The most vertical in North America (5,620 feet)
Massive snowfall (typically 30–40+ feet per season)
Incredible tree skiing
Real steeps, bowls, and technical terrain

Unlike some mega-resorts, Revelstoke still feels gritty and authentic. There’s no over-the-top luxury vibe, just skiers and riders who are there for the snow.

It’s also a major stop on Canada’s legendary Powder Highway, making it perfect for multi-resort road trips.

Ikon Pass or Epic Pass Details

Good news for pass holders:

Revelstoke Mountain Resort is on the Ikon Pass, offering:
- Up to 7 days (depending on your pass tier)
- No blackout dates for full Ikon Pass holders

It is not on the Epic Pass, so if you’re an Epic-only skier, you’ll need lift tickets.

Pro Tip: If you're doing a Powder Highway loop (RED, Panorama, Revelstoke + Banff SkiBig3), Ikon becomes extremely valuable.

How to Get to Revelstoke

Closest Airports

1. Calgary International Airport (YYC)

~4.5–5 hour drive
Most flight options
Scenic but mountain-pass heavy winter drive

2. Kelowna International Airport (YLW)

~2.5 hours
Easiest overall drive
Great balance of convenience + scenery

3. Kamloops Airport (YKA)

~2 hours
Smaller airport, fewer direct flights
Straightforward winter drive

By Car

Driving is very common, especially for Powder Highway road trips. Winter tires are essential. Snowstorms can hit hard, especially through Rogers Pass.

Shuttle Services

There are private shuttle services from Calgary and Kelowna. Many visitors combine shuttle transport with rental condos near the resort.

Where We Stayed

RV & Campervan Options

We spent the entire first week living in the van just off the main highway. There are several pull-offs and discreet overnight spots if you’re self-contained and respectful.

When friends came to town, we booked through Revelstoke Vacation Rentals and stayed minutes from the resort. It made ski mornings effortless and gave us a comfortable space to spread out and recover after big vertical days. There was even a hot tub!

If you’re vanlifing, it’s doable. If you want easy access and comfort, staying near the resort is a huge win.

Hotels, Lodges & Other Places to Stay

Luxury:

The Sutton Place Hotel Revelstoke Mountain Resort
Slope-side. Ski-in, ski-out. Full kitchens. Ideal if you want maximum convenience.

Mid-range Stays:

The Explorers Society Hotel
Boutique feel right in downtown. Walkable to restaurants and bars.

Coast Hillcrest Hotel
Comfortable rooms with mountain views and easy highway access.

Budget-friendly:

Swiss Chalet Motel
Clean, affordable, great for ski-focused trips.

Revelstoke Lodge
Basic but reliable option in town.

Skiing Revelstoke Mountain Resort: What to Expect

Skiing at Revelstoke Mountain Resort is about vertical, terrain variety, and storm skiing that feels endless.

The Lift Layout

Revelstoke is stacked vertically, and your day typically flows from top to bottom:

Revelation Gondola – Gets you out of the base and up into mid-mountain terrain.
Stoke Chair – The heart of the mountain. This is where you access alpine bowls, steeps, and hike-to terrain.
Ripper Chair – Fast laps, playful tree skiing, and some of the best storm-day protection.
Stellar Chair – A great zone for intermediates with wide-open groomers and flowy terrain.

Top-to-Bottom Vertical

This mountain boasts 5,620 feet of vertical, and you feel it.

Top-to-bottom runs off the Stoke Chair all the way to the base are leg burners. You’ll move from alpine bowls, through tight glades, into mid-mountain trees, and eventually into lower mountain cruisers, all in one run.

It’s not uncommon to rack up serious fatigue by mid-afternoon if you’re skiing full laps.

North Bowl & Hike-To Terrain

If you’re looking for the goods, North Bowl is a must.

From the top of the Stoke Chair, a short bootpack takes you into hike-to terrain with:

Steeper chutes
Wind-loaded powder pockets
More technical lines
Fewer crowds

It’s not a massive hike, but it adds access to some of the mountain’s most exciting terrain. On a powder day, this is where things get real.

There are also additional alpine ridgelines and hike-accessed zones that reward strong skiers willing to put in a little effort.

Tree Skiing & Storm Days

Revelstoke is famous for its tree skiing. The trees off the Ripper Chair and mid-Stoke zones are deep, playful, and often hold snow beautifully during storm cycles. When visibility disappears up high, the glades become the place to be.

And storm cycles here can be serious. Revelstoke regularly sees massive snowfall totals, and when it’s dumping, the mountain transforms.

Storm days feel endless. This is where Revelstoke shines.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort with friends!

Other Must-Do Winter Activities

Beyond skiing at Revelstoke Mountain Resort:

Revelstoke is a serious backcountry hub, so if you’re into ski touring, this is world-class territory. Unfortunately, we were in a low tide year, and so it was unrealistic for us for head into the backcountry without taking off work for an entire day and getting access to a snowmobile. But we will be back for that type of adventure!

Mac and cheese from Craft Bierhaus, Revelstoke

Our Favorite Spots to Eat/Drink

Breakfast & Coffee

La Baguette
Cozy French bakery vibes, but the one in town is huge and is great for sitting down and enjoying by the indoor fireplace.

Split Milk Eatery
Incredible breakfast plates and espresso. We had a croissant and it was fantastic.

Flourish Bakery
Great grab-and-go before first chair.

Dinner

#1 Favorite: Craft Bierhaus
Get the mac and cheese. Trust us. We went twice. Also the Stew was amazing and so hearty after a day of skiing.

The Village Idiot Bar and Grill
Pizza, ski-town energy, and classic après vibes.

Additional popular picks:

112 Restaurant and Lounge (Upscale but approachable)
Paramjit's Kitchen (Incredible Indian food)
Kawakubo Revelstoke (Great sushi option)

Where to Après

At the Base

Mackenzie Common Tavern
Located right at the base. Easy post-ski drinks without moving the car. A little pricey, so would say one drink here and then head into town.

In Town

The Village Idiot Bar and Grill
Lively and fun. VERY much a classic ski-vibe. The handles and on every door are even made out of ski poles and snowboard tips.

Rumpus Beer Company
Great local craft beer.

Monashee Spirits Craft Distillery
Cocktails and small-batch spirits.

Also popular:

River City Pub
Dose Coffee (low-key evening hang)

Budget Tips for Revelstoke

Revelstoke can add up quickly. Here’s how we kept it manageable:

Use Ikon Pass access
Cook meals if staying somewhere with a kitchen. Still go out and try a couple restaurants, but we packed all our lunches everyday.
Stay slightly outside resort base
Travel with a group and split lodging
Vanlife if you’re set up for winter conditions
Book accommodations early (especially January–March)

Lift tickets at Revelstoke Mountain Resort can be pricey, so pass access makes a major difference.

Packing List

Winters in Revelstoke are classic Interior British Columbia, but with a slightly bigger, wetter storm profile than places farther south like Nelson. Expect mid-winter temperatures typically ranging from the low teens to upper 20s °F (-10 to -2°C), though colder snaps absolutely happen. When storms roll in off the Pacific and collide with the Monashee Mountains, snowfall can stack up quickly.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort averages around 30–40 feet (350–450+ inches) of snow annually, with some seasons pushing well beyond that. The snow tends to be slightly denser than ultra-dry Rockies powder, but it still skis incredibly well, especially in the trees.

Winter in Revelstoke, British Columbia: The Ultimate Powder Highway Guide