Canadian Rockies Planning

Looking at Revelstoke mid-March, including a day of cat skiing.  Flying into Kelowna.   Options:
- four days at Revelstoke, including a day of cat, stay in town or on hill, or
- two days at Revelstoke, including a day of cat, a day at Big White, a day at SilverStar, stay in Kelowna and Revelstoke

For reference, spent a week at Banff three years ago (LL, Norquay, Sunshine Village), and a week at Kicking Horse including a day of heli last year.    Definitely KH a step up from Banff, and looking to build on that challenges at Revelstoke and/or its neighbors.

Any past experiences or recommendations?   Option 1 or 2 above?  Saving the other areas in BC for a later trip with different skiers, more mellow, hitting the goods on this adventure.

Hoser wrote

Looking at Revelstoke mid-March, including a day of cat skiing.  Flying into Kelowna.   Options:
- four days at Revelstoke, including a day of cat, stay in town or on hill, or
- two days at Revelstoke, including a day of cat, a day at Big White, a day at SilverStar, stay in Kelowna and Revelstoke

For reference, spent a week at Banff three years ago (LL, Norquay, Sunshine Village), and a week at Kicking Horse including a day of heli last year.    Definitely KH a step up from Banff, and looking to build on that challenges at Revelstoke and/or its neighbors.

Any past experiences or recommendations?   Option 1 or 2 above?  Saving the other areas in BC for a later trip with different skiers, more mellow, hitting the goods on this adventure.

>> When you say a step up do you mean in terms of difficulty?  because if difficulty of the terrain is what you are looking for then Big White is definitely not the place.  I would say its more of a family resort.  SilverStar is similar to BW.  Hope that helps.  

Yes, step up in difficulty, exactly the type of response I am looking for, thanks for clarifying on the smaller two areas!  May land on multiple days at Revelstoke to keep it interesting.

Hoser wrote

Yes, step up in difficulty, exactly the type of response I am looking for, thanks for clarifying on the smaller two areas!  May land on multiple days at Revelstoke to keep it interesting.

To give you more context we spent a week in BW with my 9 year old daughter (who ski races so she is pretty good) but there was nothing she could not ski.  Last year we went to Banff and there was tons of terrain in LL and SV I would not take her on nor would I ski.

I have not been to Revelstoke but everyone I have ever talked to has said its an amazing place and you will not get bored.  I am from Canada so I hear a lot about Revelstoke.  Hope that helps.

Claude
 

Thanks!  Also accompanying an ex-racer....really enjoyed what Kicking Horse had to offer so this feedback helps towards multiple days at Revelstoke.  Now gotta figure out car(truck) vs shuttle from airport,  stay in town vs on hill....logistical and financial pros and cons.

Even if you're looking for more challenging terrain, I'd still recommend a day at Big White or Silver Star. Both can be really fun and offer different experiences. Would give a slight edge to BW even though it is somewhat family oriented. While SS has more of a local vibe.

That would leave you with two days at Revelstoke plus another for cat skiing. Which is a good amount of time to explore there and be a nice mix overall for your trip.

In Revelstoke if you can find an AirBnB within walking distance of downtown, that would be a good bet. More eating and drinking options as opposed to being a bit isolated/ limited at the hill. Also should be able to find a better deal on accommodations in town.

If you want to really maximize ski time probably better to pick one of BW or SS ahead of time and stay right there. SS is on the way to/ from Revelstoke. With BW about 45 minutes the other direction from Kelowna.

Staying in Kelowna is not a bad option either. Would allow maximum flexibility to make a last minute call between BW and SS depending on where the conditions are best.

Preference for this kind of trip would always be to have my own vehicle, something with AWD.

Here's my trip report from a couple seasons ago for further reference.

http://forum.nyskiblog.com/Revelstoke-Big-White-amp-Silver-Star-BC-Feb-2016-td4073718.html#a4073739

http://nyskiblog.com/magazine/the-west/revelstoke-mountain-resort/

Thanks DAM and Harvey for the additional info and links! Psyched!

A couple other places not mentioned worth checking out are Red and Fernie.  I really like Fernie and there are several cat ops in the area.  Fernie Wilderness Adventures is top notch.  You can fly into Kalispell MT and combo with Whitefish.

A couple other places not mentioned worth checking out are Red and Fernie.  I really like Fernie and there are several cat ops in the area.  Fernie Wilderness Adventures is top notch.  You can fly into Kalispell MT and combo with Whitefish.

Ahh more options.  With the weather patterns and the power of the $$, plus the bonus of lack of crowds at these places on both sides on the boarder, this sounds appealing as well.  

I've been to Revelstoke a few times over the past several years.  IMO: 2 days in enough.  It's big, and offers abundant challenges, but the terrain is not super diverse.  It's quite under-developed.  The original plan was for 25 lifts... they only made it to four.  The lack of lifts can make for a long traverse between the two main upper mountain pods.  It's better on skis than a snowboard.  Headed over that way myself during the first week in March.  We are staying in Revelstoke. 2 days at RMR and 2 days at KMR.

Big white is lots of fun too.  I have been there a couple of times.  It's more family oriented.  Mostly high speed lifts covering a diverse array of terrain.  I would consider staying there for 2 days.  The village is pretty sweet. Not overdeveloped, with food and rooms from economical to luxurious.   Most of the beds are slope-side.

If you stay in Kelowna, you'll find everything you need.  It's fairly big.

Good Luck.  I'll look forward to reading your TR.  

 

Thanks.  How are the roads and the 2.5 hour drive from Kelowna to Revelstoke?  Not including weather impact of course....are they challenging (Rt 8/30) or fast (Rt 87) or in between?

Great use of this blog guys,  so helpful so far

Hoser wrote

Thanks.  How are the roads and the 2.5 hour drive from Kelowna to Revelstoke?  Not including weather impact of course....are they challenging (Rt 8/30) or fast (Rt 87) or in between?

Great use of this blog guys,  so helpful so far

That drive is pretty remote.  As you get closer to Revelstoke, you start to encounter more avalanche zones, so the possibility of driving difficulties increases a bit.  If I recall correctly, there are no passes to go over.  Going from RMR to KMR you need to go over Rogers, which can get pretty dicey.  In terms of road quality and maintenance, they stay on top of things during storm cycles.  It's typical back road driving... pitch black at night...not much difference from the East Coast.  Mostly valley driving.  The base area at RMR sits at about 1500ft, so you don't need to ascend very far... it's actually only a 10 minute (+/-) drive from town.

Hoser wrote

Thanks.  How are the roads and the 2.5 hour drive from Kelowna to Revelstoke?  Not including weather impact of course....are they challenging (Rt 8/30) or fast (Rt 87) or in between?

Kelowna to Revelstoke(d), and on to Golden is the Trans Canada, which handles plenty of large trucks.  It will be 2 lanes in spots and 4 lanes around larger towns and probably up hills.

Revelstoke to Golden has the nicest scenery in the country.  It has avalanche tunnels, train trusses on the side of a mountain, glaciers, etc.  It's really something else.