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Hi Lianne,Yep the trip was good. Couldn’t fault it except for maybe a bit more snow….The Mountaineer Lodget was really nice and new. Now the skiing…. Kicking Horse is fantastic. I can only imagine how good it would be if it had one more lift and more snow. It is definitely a hard mountain. Every day I skied I could only push through until 2:30 or so from 9am. The legs were jelly. Even at Whistler I could ski all day. Shamiram liked it but didn’t do most of the extremes that I did. I want to definitely go back next year…so if you are arranging a bulk deal count me in. 

On Revelstoke, well it doesn’t compare with KH. Long long mountain and got great potential but for complete rawness KH is perfect.

Albert

Hi Lianne,

Day Two at Revelstoke was a totally different experience. Snow fell during the night and throughout most of the next morning, although not a lot, it made a difference and freshened things up. We left this morning for Nelson and will tackle Whitewater and Red Mountain while in this neck of the woods. One final word on Revelstoke though, the mountain has enormous potential, vast wicked terrain and undeniable vertical that won’t disappoint but it has hit a few financial speed bumps of late and due no doubt to the current worldwide financial crisis. Unfortunately it’s understaffed, the facilities on the mountain are incomplete and lacking in various areas, namely toilets and good signage! The new section of the Gondola is a great addition and allows one to park at the base area and no longer drive up to the day lodge as per last year, having said that there is a lot of incomplete construction at the base area and ones first impression of this resort is all a bit shambolic. Substandard guest services, no signage, porta loos that we thought were for the construction workers but as we discovered were for the paying guests! The new detachable Quad ( The Ripper )  installed this summer is great but it’s in an area away on it’s own that requires a tedious traverse to and from unless you’re capable of skiing into it via The North Bowl Area above, which is a free riding double black diamond area with marginal snow conditions this year. Overall a great ski hill that has massive potential, we didn’t see it at it’s best due to the lack of new snow, they have big plans for the future but with he current economic climate my feelings are that they will struggle and that the grand plan will take some time to come to fruition, none the less a wicked ski hill but not quite the overall glossy package that its pretending to be in its marketing package, a must visit but don’t expect too much in the way of frills or service. Revelstoke is a great wee party town, friendly and with some good bars and an excellent Sushi joint opposite The Regent Hotel on 1st street. We stayed in a nice well priced B&B ( The Inn On The River ) a short stroll from downtown with wonderful views of the mighty Columbia River.  The Goat.

WOW! Revelstoke lives up to it’s reputation and without exaggeration. We’re here in Revelstoke and skied the much anticipated new resort today. No fresh snow unfortunately but the grooming was impeccable and the terrain challenging. Boasting North America’s highest vertical and in it’s second season, Revelstoke is still in it’s early development stages and with much construction underway, some stalled. With big plans for new lifts that will open up further terrain currently only accessible via a cat skiing operation that is based at the top of the gondola. With very few skiers around this is a mountain that certainly tests ones nerves as well as ones skill, the terrain available requires a big mountain ski with big mountain legs. We ( 8 year old included ) skied non stop from the top of  The Stoke Chair to the base of the gondola today on a black run that totaled 5620ft / 1713 meters, it took 25 minutes and longer to recover! Tomorrow will involve a tour of the backcountry and the new North Bowl area accessed from the top of The Stoke quad chairlift, courtesy of an old ski patrolling buddy now working as a heliguide for CMH and living here in Revelstoke; I just know it’s going to hurt! Off to Nelson on Tuesday with Whitewater, Red Mountain and some Cat Skiing in our sights. Thankfully Southern B.C is now starting to pick up some of the regular snow that has been falling in Montana and the Northern US.  The Goat.  

thank-you Sun Peaks for offering the chance to ski at your amazing resort and then take a day off and experience the terrain at Canada newest ski resort Revelstoke!!   YES, Sun Peaks are offering Day Trips to Revelstoke - smart!  Be one of the first to ski at this amazing new mountain, we have heard the terrain will put a smile on the face of the expert skiers & boarders.

Lianne - Ski Traveller
Toll Free: 0800 11 22 99

Last weekend the New Zealand National Development Team went to Revelstoke in BC, Canada. This is a newly developed ski area with incredible terrain and off piste skiing for those people looking for something challenging or just your regular diehard skier/boarder who would like to push their boundaries.  Revelstoke has put in a new Gondola and Quad and the team made the most of their chance to free ski on this awesome new mountain and get some face shots in the powder. 
Total vertical is 1,443 metres.  
Terrain 607 hectares.  No queues. 
Average snowfall – 12 to 15 metres.

Richard Stevens - Member of the New Zealand National Development Ski Team