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Keri Knapp
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Bruno Long
Story by Glenn Kohaly
The year-round alpine playground city of Revelstoke, nestled between the spectacular snow-capped peaks of the Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges, has something for everyone. Rugged mountains, glistening glaciers, lush forests, tumbling waterfalls, and crystal-clear lakes abound, making this area a photographer's paradise. Revelstoke is a popular overnight stay for tourists either travelling to Sicamous, the houseboat capital of Canada which is just 80 km (50 miles) away; or choosing Revelstoke as the base for their mountain adventures and visits to the National Parks. The Enchanted Forest and Sky Trek Adventure Park, on the Trans Canada Highway to Sicamous, is a delight for all ages.
The City of Revelstoke is rich in history, with numerous Victorian era heritage buildings from the 1800’s restored to their original splendour. Grizzly Plaza is the entertainment centre of Revelstoke's charming historic downtown. Throughout the summer free live entertainment is offered every evening. Quaint boutiques, casual coffee bars and restaurants are all within easy walking distance. Revelstoke is blessed with a great number of wonderful hotels and motels such as the Swiss Chalet Motel for the visitor to enjoy while exploring the area.
Revelstoke is home to some of the best adventure recreation opportunities in the world! Hiking, mountain biking, caving, hot springs, heli hiking, canoeing, the list goes on and on. Naturalists love the area as Mount Revelstoke National Park and Glacier National Park, both within an hour’s drive, offer spectacular scenery, abundant wildlife, and endless hiking trails.
Each evening from approximately the end of June through to the end of August, the Revelstoke Arts Council provides free live music in the downtown Grizzly Plaza. With a diverse range of unique artists, the Summer Street Festival is fun for the whole family. Frequently you will find locals and visitors mingling, sharing ice cream, dancing and forming new friendships. Revelstoke's Farm & Craft Market is the place to be on Saturday mornings starting in May and running right through until the end of October.
Biking enthusiasts converge on Revelstoke from July 31 through August 4 for the biking events of the year! Singletrack 6 showcases the best riding in a variety of authentic mountain bike communities in Western Canada with the final stage in Revelstoke on July 31. In conjunction with the SingleTrack 6 event, Revelstoke will be host to the third annual BikeFest Revelstoke, a gathering of bike enthusiasts for a weekend of fun and camaraderie including fun group rides, kid’s events and live music.
Are you looking for one of the steepest Ultras in the world? July 18 starts an entire weekend of trail runs, expos, great food, amazing views... oh and a really great race! TrailStoke is an off-distance, 60 km course with approximately 3,000 metres (10,000 feet) of elevation gain. You will run from the ski hill base, to the top of the mountain, spend about 30 km running on the most scenic ridges you've ever seen, and then descend back to the base. If you're not sure you can run the entire 60 km on your own, they also have a three-person relay option.