Stoke the whole fam with Revelstoke ski trip
Revelstoke, BC From the top of the Ripper chairlift, the toothy peaks of the Monashee Mountains poke through a layer of clouds, creating a dreamy backdrop for a family photo. After a fellow skier kindly snaps a few pictures of our trio, my husband, daughter and I point our skis toward Chopper, a wide intermediate run with soft snow.
Located below Revelstoke's mythic North Bowl—where double black runs careen down the steep face of Sub Peak—the Ripper chair's groomed cruisers and gladed forests are a good place to flex our ski muscles before venturing higher, while giving us a taste of the resort's mighty vertical drop.
Photo:
Liam Packwood
The Ripper Chair drops skiers and boarders into Revelstoke's intermediate terrain below North Bowl.
Next we fly down Burn Down, another blue run, and I do my best to keep up with my ski buddies. Our growing confidence leads us into Glades of Glory, where we find powder stashes nestled between nicely-spaced spruce and fir trees.
Though my kiddo, Avery, is supposed to be taking it easy due to a strained knee, she can't help but seek out fun terrain on this huge, diverse mountain.
Is Revelstoke family friendly?
It's our second family ski trip to Revelstoke Mountain Resort, an easy two-hour drive east from our home in Kelowna.
Our first visit to Revy coincided with Avery learning to snowboard, so my memories of that weekend revolve around laps on the Stellar chairlift, a mid-mountain learning area with short beginner and intermediate runs.
With our daughter back on skis, we're excited to stretch our legs on some longer, more challenging slopes.
Photo:
Liam Packwood
Revelstoke has a well-earned reputation as a tough but exhilarating mountain. It spills down the north and south flanks of imposing Mt. Mackenzie, with a leg-burning vertical drop of 5,620 feet-the biggest in North America.
Its size (over 3,000 acres), and the amount—and pitch—of its advanced runs, also play into the lore.
Add on an annual snowfall of over 10 metres to those alpine bowls and knee-knocking steeps, and you can see why parents might eye the resort with trepidation.
Big vertical, thoughtful progression
So it's a surprise to see so many munchkins on skis when we unload at the top of Revelation Gondola.
There, a covered moving carpet called Cupcake lets newbies test their ski legs under the guidance of resort instructors.
Once they gain enough confidence, beginners head to the Stellar chair, which is accessed by a wide, gentle cat track.
Photo:
Tom Poole
A young family of skiers ride up Cupcake, the covered carpet in the learning area.
The resort opened the Stellar triple chair six years ago to help skiers and riders progress on the mountain.
Its location between the gondola and the Ripper chair lets beginners download if they're tired, or level up to longer and more challenging intermediate runs when they're ready.
Steep, deep and totally family-friendly
Kids ski free at Revelstoke, March 1 - season close
"I've been coming to Revelstoke with my wife and kids for the past five years," says a skier from Waterloo, ON, as we do another lap on the Ripper. "It's got the snow, and we never get bored."
Coming from the smaller ski hills in Ontario, it took his 11-year-old a few days to adjust to the longer runs, but now he loves it.
Photo:
Royce Sihlis
Playful bumps and trees help the learners in your crew progress to the next step.
Revy also draws families every spring during its annual Kids Ski Free promotion, running from March 1 through closing day on April 12 this year. For six weeks, when the snow base is at its highest, children 12 and under can carve complimentary turns when they ski with a parent.
Families can also enroll their kids in three- or five-day spring break camps to help build their skills and confidence.
Mountain High
In the afternoon, we head to the Stoke chairlift, which takes us to Revy's summit and the start of The Last Spike, a green trail that winds 15.2 kilometres to the base. After soaking in the views of the Columbia River far below, we follow Greenhorn to Critical Path, another intermediate run with soft, forgiving snow.
Our daughter is all smiles as we make the decision to ski all the way down. There's no point bragging that you bagged the resort with the continent's biggest vertical drop without actually doing it.
The Last Spike leads to some rolling blue cruisers like Snow Rodeo and Feller Buncher. We ultimately cut over to Cannonball, an advanced run with packed powder and baby bumps that make our legs earn an après-ski reward.
"I love the terrain, and the runs!" says Avery, her knee woes long forgotten. It's fair to say she's 'Revy-stoked,' and it bodes well for future family ski trips to Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
When you go
Getting to Revelstoke is easy from Kelowna or Calgary.
Drive 2h from Kelowna via BC 97 - Hwy 1
Drive 4.5h from Calgary via Hwy 1
Where to stay basecamp right on the mountain, with specials including 35% off the Sutton Place Hotel (now through April 2026)right at the base of the village. Find the latest deals and packages here.
Photo:
Tom Poole
The Sutton Place hotel, poolside view, just below the gondola.
Kids programs including lessons, spring break camps and the Kids Ski Free promotion details, get info here.
Advanced skiers will want to check out the steep, deep and technical terrain, but don't overlook the Intro to Cat Skiing program for those looking to take the next step in their riding.
For more info check out Revelstoke Mountain Resort.
