Do you like to play outdoors? Then you’ll want to put the Canadian town of Revelstoke on your travel itinerary.
British Columbia’s Selkirk and Monashee mountains surround this outdoorsy community of 7,200 that’s located between Vancouver and the Canadian Rockies. Mount Revelstoke National Park has spectacular alpine hiking trails, just outside town. In winter, Revelstoke Mountain Resort is famous for its power skiing, with 40 to 60 feet of snow in an average season.
There’s plenty to do when you come off the trails, too. Revelstoke has a cool downtown district, full of cafes, outdoor gear shops, and good restaurants.
Revelstoke played an important part in Canada’s railway history. The Trans-Continental Railway, which connected eastern and western Canada, was completed just outside town in 1885. You can get your history fix at two well-designed museums: the Revelstoke Railway Museum (with a yard full of historic rail cars) and the Revelstoke Museum & Archives.
So where do you sleep? Whether you’re road-tripping across Western Canada or looking for the winter’s best powder, we’ve got the scoop on three places to stay in Revelstoke.
Sutton Place Hotel at Revelstoke Mountain Resort
If you’re going to Revelstoke to ski or snowboard, you have only one on-the-mountain choice. The Sutton Place Hotel at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, a contemporary 205-unit condominium-style hotel, is the only lodging right at the base of the mountain.
Ranging in size from studios to three bedrooms, the suites at the Sutton Place have modern dark wood furnishings, gas fireplaces, flat-screen TVs, and in-suite washer-dryers. The studios, comfortably sized at 475 square feet with one king bed and a queen pullout sofa, have kitchenettes with a mini-fridge, microwave, dishwasher, and a cook top — essentially everything you’d need to make a meal, except an oven. The larger units all have full kitchens.
The hotel has a spacious fitness room, an outdoor heated pool and hot tub, and a full-service spa. If you’re traveling in the warmer months, you can step out the front door and go for a hike or hurtle down the hills on the complimentary mountain bikes. In winter, you’re steps from the gondola at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, which takes you up to 65 runs and several bowls spread across 3,121 acres.
- Buy Travel Insurance
- Search for Great Tours HERE
- Get a Car Rental
The Cube Boutique Hotel
You don’t have to stay right on the mountain, though, even if you’re in Revelstoke to ski. It’s only a 10-minute drive from downtown to the ski hill, or you can hop on the Revelstoke Resort Shuttle that runs between town and the mountain.
The most fun place to stay in town is The Cube, which pairs the laid-back vibe of a hostel with the style of a boutique hotel.
At The Cube, the 21 rooms are small and simple, with beds, flat-screen TVs, free wi-fi, and not much more. Rooms have sinks and toilets, but to shower, you need to go down the hall to one of the seven private shower rooms — a small inconvenience in exchange for more affordable rates.
Guests can hang out in the relaxed communal lounge, where a complimentary continental breakfast is served. If you’re trying to stretch your budget into more time on the mountain, you can prepare meals in the shared kitchen.
Monashee Lodge
Revelstoke has a string of basic, moderately-priced motels, most of which sit along Highway 1 on the town’s perimeter. Off the highway, a short drive or walk from the town center, is the no-frills Monashee Lodge.
The current owners are working on upgrading this older two-story motel, with new bedding, mini-fridges, and Keurig coffeemakers in the 18 guest rooms.
Wi-fi is free, you can soak in the hot tub or warm up in the sauna, and in winter, rates include a Continental breakfast. The helpful proprietors can give you tips about things to do around town.
If You Go
Revelstoke is located off the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) in central British Columbia, about six hours east of Vancouver and three hours west of Banff. Tourism Revelstoke has lots of details to help you plan your active mountain holiday.