Living the Stoke

Revelstoke- one of the most adventurous small towns with a lot of history. Powder heaven in the winter and adrenalin mecca in the summer.

Now I've visited this small haven three separate times all for different reasons. First, spur of the moment decision to go get lost in plumes of powder and wind through the trees on Mount Mackenzie. Second- girls weekend with Laura just exploring and third a relaxing weekend with the boyfriend camping up on the shores of Lake Revelstoke.

Back in Feb just after coming back from New Zealand our friends from Winnipeg flew to Banff to surprise us and we all made a last minute decision to drive out to Revelstoke for the day to snowboard. By the way this is a 3 hour drive one way so it was a LONG day. Long and tiring but one of the best days I have had boarding to this day. I am by no means an amazing snowboarder but am competent and will give it all a go. These runs were steep, full of fresh clouds and tree runs as far as the eye could see. Kickers lining the runs just asking for us to throw ourselves off of them and piles of snows just begging me to jump into them face first (because I seem to like to fall a lot so at least this way it didn't hurt). As soon as we arrived we boarded until 5pm with only a break to refuel so we had enough energy to go explore the powder mecca some more. The runs just seem to never end so if you plan to ride all the way down to the base expect some sore legs after a long day. While driving around the town before heading back just seeing that the snow piles surrounding the properties went up to the windows blew my mind! I didn't realize that their snowfall averages between 30-45 feet a year!! (Note: Revy also holds the record for snowfall at 80 feet!!! Just IMAGINE boarding in those conditions).

In May just after my birthday myself and my good girl friend decided to have a gals trip out to Revelstoke. Hired a car and a cabin at Revelstoke campground with little idea of what to do just going on a whim and exploring. This little quaint town is so different in summer than winter. The houses are small and homely, the locals all friendly and active, cafes flourishing and markets in full bloom. The small town vibes are amazing in this place. Just talking to the locals down at the markets was so warming as they just want to chat and let you know about the area and things to do. If you want a really good breakfast head up to Main Street Cafe. In an old house situated on the corner it is the perfect place to relax out in the sun while enjoying an enormous homely breakfast and coffee before wandering down to the locals farmers markets.

The valley is flourishing with cedars and greenery, it is one of the only inland temperate rainforests areas as well as having the sub-alpine meadows and amazing sharp peaks of the Rockies. When w arrived we decided to just drive and see where it took us. We decided to go up to Revelstoke rollercoaster which is like a cart on a pipe which goes down Mount Mackenzie. It is expensive but my god is it fun! We wanted to go more than once but were both a little poor. Funnily enough our exploring also took us to the Mt Begbie Brewery just up the road from the township. This little gem is hidden and isn't well sign posted but I would highly recommend. Sitting out on the patio in 30+ degrees enjoying a locally brewed beer , snacking on all the goodies was an afternoon well spent. I opted for the Cream Ale which has been one of the longest standing beers in their collection, while my friend opted for all of the above and had two taster flights- and ended up slightly drunk. Post beer explorations took us up towards Martha Creek and onto the shore lines of Lake Revelstoke. Turns out it is a massive dammed lake formed from the Columbia River. Obviously stopping to take a few selfie now and again as well as my friend taking a "dip" in a random waterfall on the side of the road in her underwear.

The evening afterwards consisted of us attempting to light a fire in the fire pit and cook our dinner in a s'mores maker. What a disaster that was. We stayed the night in Revelstoke campground in a cute little wooden cabin. A little on the pricey side and a little further out of town but it is exactly what we wanted. Beers, food, many s'mores and sparklers later we headed off to sleep in our little cosy cabin. The next day pretty much consisted of us going downtown to have breakfast (see earlier paragraph) spending money in the local markets and driving home back to Banff.

The drive between Banff and Revelstoke is beautiful. Both winter and summer. Even during the warmer months -I mean summer is maybe 3 months- there is still snow ridden patches among the crags in Rogers Pass. Passing through the snow tunnels peeking through the pillars at the sides of the mountains and glacial melt waterfalls.

Third time myself and I boyfriend decided to go for a camping trip together before he headed off for school for a few months. Since he'd only been to Revelstoke in winter and I enjoyed it in summer, we decided to go there. We found a campsite up in Martha's Creek which is 20km north of Revy. We managed to secure a spot right on the water front of Lake Revelstoke. Upon arrival we set up camp after what felt like forever trying to find our campsite. (Of course I directed Andrew the wrong way). Turns out the last camping spot that I managed to book was LAKE FRONT! So happy with that. Minus the rain we were happy. Until that is that I found Andrew had bought a twin air mattress. So turns out even as I am a small human and Andrew isn't on the large side by any means, fitting both of us onto a twin isn't ideal and super cramped.

The next morning we woke to a chilled, damp morning breeze. The mountains across the lake covered in a blanket of clouds, the lake crystal clear without a single ripple. A few pancakes, a coffee and a load of oats later we decided to just wing it and explore Revelstoke. First stop the markets (as per last visit for me) and somehow managed to get by without purchasing a thing! Once again I was amazed by the community spirit and togetherness of this small town. We drove up the Meadows in the sky highway up to the top of Mount Revelstoke. This road is soooo long and just doesn't stop winding around the corners. One thing you will notice is how much the flora changes just on this one road! From inland temperate rainforest, to sub-alpine furs to alpine meadows all on one road. It flattens out to meadows up the top of the road where you can continue (by shuttle) up to the summit. The lakes there slowly disappearing as the snow melt drys up, bear sightings (which we later found were back in July!). On the way back down we came across the old Ski jumping area. I had no idea that Revelstoke held the record for the longest Ski Jump and that there was a world renowned jumping area on Mount Revelstoke. To this day it is cleared and you can see exactly where the competitors jumped from, as well as being able to read all the history of the area.

After Mount Revelstoke my stomach took the reigns and we headed to the Brewery once again (shock). It was a smokey view this time around but we opted for the patio and enjoyed pizza, nachos and myself once again a cream ale and Andrew the flight of beer. I feel like I am very much a creature of habit writing this as both my trips in summer were similar. Following the lunch we heading down to Revelstoke Mountain Resort and Andrew was DYING to try the coaster. I was more than willing to do it again and again and again. He was like a kid about to receive cake he was that happy. Two rounds later we were a happy couple exhilarated and wanting to go faster!!

Back at camp we decided to have a relaxed night cooking and eating down on the waters edge before me smoking Andrew in crib.

Day two we decided to go for an adventure to who knows where. We had our pancakes and hit the road. Not too far out of Revelstoke we came across a stream, Andrew hitting the brakes hard and making me walk BACK to the stream where we saw Salmon! I have never seen inland Salmon! That's just not a thing in North Island NZ. Vibrant red popping out the water sometimes splashing around and darting upstream. They were so mesmerising to watch. Found out later (with the help of old Mr google that they were Sockeye Salmon). I must admit interior BC isn't the most interesting to me architecturally as its FULL of trailers, abandoned cabins and just not looked after housing. We aimed to go to Salmon Arm rather than Kelowna as a 6 hours drive return in one day seemed a little excessive. Stumbling across Canoe and walking down the dock to the lake and the township was deserted! Especially for it being a long weekend.

Salmon Arm reminds me of Taupo NZ. A lake front town with everything you need. Stopping for an ice cream on the dock on the lake we tried to figure out what to do. Andrew being a massive logging round enthusiast, wanted to find one and follow it. Found one. Drove for around 30 minutes up before hunger kicked in and we found a cute spot in a meadow to have some super healthy KD for lunch. From here we opted to head back to Revelstoke and hunt for the Begbie Waterfalls.

Please note that Begbie falls is found down a dirt road! If you don't have a fwd or something capable please walk down! Because we had Andrew big stupid truck we got there, even though he had moments of questioning. Taking a wrong turn and not reading signs we came up further upstream and explored up there for a while before realizing we had gone wrong. The dense greenery and flora reminded me much of home and gave me a lot of homesickness.

Heading back down we could hear the falls but not see. So we went off track following small trails around and down to the base of the falls (which I would not recommend). The falls are the some of the nicest I've seen in the area and are note worthy (nothing compared to NZ's gorgeous tumbling wonders).

Post falls back to the campsite before munching down our super nutritious KD (2 in one day!?) and to bed early due to rain. After a large rainy evening we woke to a saturated tent (also inside) which was fun when trying to pack everything up to leave. Heading off back home to Banff before the rain truly set in.

Revelstoke is still one of my favourite places hence why I keep going there both seasons. This seasons goal is to definitely get back again (hopefully more than once) to enjoy the amazing snow if has to offer, as well as again in the summer to camp further in the backcountry before the wildfires kick into overdrive.