Revelstoke

History

In 1871, British Columbia agreed to join the Canadian Federation, based on the promise of a trans-continental railway to connect Western and Eastern Canada. The project proved to be extremely dangerous and expensive. In the summer of 1885, as the project was nearing completion, the banking firm Baring and Glyn saved the Canadian Pacific Railway from bankruptcy by buying the company's bonds. Consequently, the city Farwell was renamed by the CPR to honour Lord Revelstoke, the head of Baring and Glyn. Revelstoke was officially incorporated as a city in 1899.

Location

Revelstoke is nestled between the Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges, near the Trans-Canada Highway between Calgary and Vancouver. It is 410 km west of Calgary on Highway 1, and 565 km northeast of Vancouver Highways 1 & 5.

Revelstoke also has a full service airport with a 1,460 meter paved runway, terminal building, fueling facilities and hangers. Charter aircraft and helicopter services are available. Transportation is available to town. The airport does not have instrument landing capabilities and does not have scheduled commercial airline service.

Places to See

• Revelstoke Hydro Dam
  
  BC Hydro's Revelstoke Dam, one of North America's largest and most modern hydro-electric developments, is located only a few minutes drive north of Revelstoke. The dam offers self-guided tours, featuring individual talking wands. This multi-level visitor centre includes a large exhibit area and a theatre. Tour guides are available to assist visitors and to answer questions. The tour includes an elevator trip to the dam crest lookout located at the top of the 175 meter high concrete dam. There are also views of the main powerhouse gallery, the circuit breaker gallery, tailrace area and the control room from within the visitor centre.
  
  
• Mount Revelstoke National Park
  
  Experience a treasure of magic and beauty waiting to be discovered - where the most adventurous return with the most rewarding experience. Take a drive along the summit parkway through a variety of geographical zones. From dense old-growth rainforests of giant cedar and pine, travel up through subalpine forests, and finally alpine meadows and tundra. Marvel at the spectacular view of the ice-clad peaks of the Monashee Mountains and, to the east, the Selkirk Mountains. The Giant Cedars hiking trail takes you through a stand of ancient Western Red Cedars, and the Skunk Cabbage trail introduces you to jungle-like wetland- a birder's paradise!
  
  
• Glacier National Park
  
  Experience a hike through the valleys below the Illecillewaet and Asulkan glaciers - rugged and challenging for the intrepid visitor with a sense of adventure. Glacier National Park is a world of primitive wilderness, where it is easy to forget the intrusions of modern culture. You can turn 360°, and see no signs of civilization or roads - no distractions.
  
  More than 400 glaciers continue to sculpt the landscape, carving the Columbia Mountains and feeding the crystal-clear rivers. Explorations range from simple wooden boardwalks to multi-day glacier crossing adventures. A wide range of wildlife makes this park their home.
  
  
• Canyon Hot Springs and Halycon Hot Springs
  
  Come and enjoy the soothing mineral waters, and enjoy some of the other activities and accommodations these resorts have to offer.
  
  
• Grizzly Plaza
  
  Grizzly Plaza is the entertainment centre of Revelstoke's historic downtown. Throughout the summer, there's free live entertainment every evening, including musical bands, theatrical productions, and magic acts. A Farmer's Market and Bazaar are featured each Saturday morning, with locally grown produce, arts & crafts, and children's entertainment.
  
  
• Revelstoke Railway Museum
  
  Discover Canada's history and railway heritage! Learn about the building of the railway, the workers involved, the final days of construction and present day operation. The Museum's unique design complements the multitude of beautiful artifacts and the large photo collection displayed.
  
  The Museum houses the beautifully restored CPR locomotive #5468. Built in 1948 for the Revelstoke Division, the Mikado P-2k 2-8-2 is an awesome representation of the Big Steam Era. This is one of the larger steam engines ever used on CPR lines.
  
  Meet the men who lived and worked on the rails. Responsible for the restoration/maintenance of 5468, Railway Engineers volunteer time to talk about their experiences.

Things to Do

• Skiing!
  
  Revelstoke, located in the central Columbia Mountains, enjoys a fortunate combination of climate and topography, producing deep snow (averaging 60 feet annually) & generally moderate temperatures.
  
  The Durrand Glacier and the Mt. Moloch area have over 24 scenic peaks — all accessible to skiers. Fourteen spectacular glaciers carve in between these mountains, providing long powder slopes up to 5000 vertical feet. Some slopes reach far down into the deep forested valleys. Fifty-eight major alpine ski routes are accessible from the Durrand Glacier Chalet and the Mt. Moloch Chalet.
  
  
• Fishing!
  
  Revelstoke is truly an angler's dream, offering a wide range of species and locations. Fly fish from a float tube in a small mountain lake, or troll for a monster Rainbow Trout or Dolly Varden in Lake Revelstoke or Arrow Lake. The Lake Revelstoke area has held a world record for Dolly Varden (24+lbs.)
  
  
• Mountain Biking!
  
  When you go mountain biking in Revelstoke, you will experience what real "mountain" biking is. The area has a large networks of trails, as well as a variety of rentals & guided tours. There are so many trails, you could ride everyday all summer, and never ride the same one twice! If you are looking for a more casual ride, there are trails along the Columbia River, and through the "Greenbelt" park right in Revelstoke.
  
  
• Horseback Riding!
  
  Revelstoke is your horseback riding paradise. Ride along the valley bottoms, or wind your way up to the breathtaking alpine meadows. Go places you never dreamed of going on a horse! Several local companies offer a wide variety of touring options - from short half-day rides to week long camp-out adventures!
  
  
• Whitewater Rafting!
  
  Revelstoke's Illecillewaet River provides an exciting location for whitewater rafting. This cool, glacier-fed river is very refreshing on a warm summer day. The whitewater rafting season runs from mid-May to mid-September. More relaxed, scenic floats down the Columbia River are also available.

Events

• Winterlude
  
  This annual Revelstoke event (formerly called Snowfest) celebrates winter, snow and all the fun that comes with it! Ski races, curling tournaments, outhouse races, nordic skiing torchlight parade and many other exciting events await you!
  
  
• Mountain Beats
  
  June's premiere music event! Enjoy live Funk, Latin and Blues, mouth-watering food, artisans, a kid's centre, a climbing wall, and a microbrew beer garden... all at Centennial Park! Come join us in June on the banks of the Columbia River. For more information, call 250-837-5345 or the toll-free line at 800-487-1493.
  
  
• Mountain Arts Festival
  
  The Mountain Arts Festival is a broad based arts festival that includes street performers, fringe theatre, musical performances, children's performers and activities as well as arts and crafts display and sales!
  
  

Notable Comments

• In December of the year two-thousand and four, our merry band of sasquatch hunters was reduced to three. Lord John Baring, citing a lack of enthusiasm, a lack of money, and, perhaps most importantly, a lack of alcoholic beverages, took our only pistol and returned to his hotel room in Revelstoke. We three- Edward, Rupert, and I- continued on our journey through the Monashee Mountains. It has now been ten years. Edward was eaten by a bear three months ago; Rupert has been kidnapped by his family. Only I remain. I believe I am being hunted. Perhaps by the sasquatch. Perhaps by the police. Perhaps by both.
  
  - the fifteenth entry in Cecil Field's scintillating journal, "We're Going on a Sasquatch Hunt!"
  
  
• "I like Revelstoke!"
  
  - Delores Clayburn, an enthusiastic six-year old from Kamloops

Contact Information

Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce

204 Campbell Avenue - Box 490
Revelstoke, BC Canada V0E 2S0
Phone: 1(250) 837-5345
Fax: 1(250) 837-4223
E-mail: revelstokeinfo@telus.net
Website: www.seerevelstoke.com
Website: http://revelstokechamber.com