The mountain resort of Revelstoke sits on the banks of the Columbia River, between Vancouver and Calgary in southeastern British Columbia. Just southeast of the town is Mount Mackenzie, home to the longest vertical descent of any ski resort in North America. The slopes are open year-round for snow sports in the winter, and hiking and mountain biking in the summer. However, Revelstoke isn’t the only place for great hiking trails. Explore the giant red cedars in Mount Revelstoke National Park or choose from a variety of trails in the nearby Glacier National Park of Canada.

Downtown Revelstoke is the perfect place to unwind after a long day outdoors. Visit one of the local breweries or the Revelstoke Railway Museum and the Revelstoke Museum and Archives. The town’s thriving arts scene is centered on the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre on the north end of town. If you’re visiting during the summer, stop at the farmers’ market on Saturday for fresh produce and handcrafted goods, and cool off at Lake Revelstoke, which is the place to be for swimming, padding, and boating when the weather heats up.

Revelstoke has a semi-arid climate with hot, dry summers and cloudy, snowy winters, both of which are great for booking a Revelstoke vacation rental. Though the town is surrounded by mountains, its elevation is only 1,500 feet, which moderates some of the winter chill. In summer, the temperatures can grow quite high, making it a perfect time to kayak on the Columbia River or swim in the nearby lakes. The Blue Heron Music Festival occurs every August with live music and local farm-to-table food.

Fall is especially beautiful because of the brisk temperatures and the changing foliage on the trees that stretch up the mountains. If snow sports are your thing, winter in Revelstoke has plenty to offer. You can ski, take a ride on a horse-drawn sleigh, or snowshoe the hiking trails. Once the snows melt in March and April, spring’s budding trees and rush of colorful flowers provide the ideal setting for hiking, biking, and golf.

Revelstoke Walking Tour

Pick up free brochures for this self-guided walking tour at the city hall, visitor information center, and retailers around the city, and then spend an afternoon wandering along city streets and past historic buildings to see how the town was built around the railroad more than a century ago.

Glacier National Park of Canada

The western entrance of Glacier National Park is only 30 minutes northeast of Revelstoke on the Trans-Canada Highway, making the park an easy day trip from town. The park offers deep valleys filled with ancient forests and sublime alpine scenery. Some of the higher-elevation trails are accessible only during the height of summer, so check weather conditions in the park before you set out on a particular trail. One of the most famous hikes, the Highline Loop, offers spectacular scenery as it brings you along the Continental Divide, also known as the Garden Wall.

Miller Lake

Miller Lake, which is situated near town in Mount Revelstoke National Park, provides hikers with stunning views of the snow-covered mountains and sparkling-blue glacial water. The hike up to the lake takes about two hours and brings you through various alpine landscapes, including wildflower meadows and giant boulder formations.