Backcountry Skiing in Revelstoke



Season
December through mid-April
Nearest city
Calgary, AB is a four-hour drive; Kelowna, BC is a two-hour drive
Duration
1 day
Skill level
Beginner to advanced
Revelstoke is the ultimate destination for powder seekers
Tucked along the scenic Trans-Canada Highway, Revelstoke is host to expansive terrain both at the Revelstoke Mountain Resort and in the surrounding Selkirk Mountains. Maintaining a small town feel, this mountain town offers vast backcountry terrains steps from your door. The quality of the powder, steep couloirs and the fantastic glade skiing is the reason why many skiing enthusiasts turn to Revelstoke in search of a true powder paradise. Home to many backcountry guides and outfitters, Revelstoke offers plenty of options for attaining new outdoor objectives. Anyone looking for an epic and adrenaline-fueled adventure need look no further than Revy.
Quote
There’s fantastic glade skiing, steep couloirs and summits all available. Skiing the south facing trees is another must, and I highly recommend it.
by Greg Hill – ACMG Ski Guide extraordinaire and emission free adventurer
Most Popular Itineraries
Private Intro to Backcountry Skiing
If you wish to step out of the groomed resort boundaries and step into the wilderness of snowy mountain tops, head off to the backcountry with a guide. Master the basic techniques, develop your powder skiing skills and explore the unlimited terrain surrounding Revelstoke. Many backcountry beginners opt for lift-access to RMR sidecountry — the choice is yours!
A Customized Day of Private Guided Backcountry Skiing
Backcountry skiing is a lifelong pursuit, so if you want to develop your skills and enjoy the backcountry to its fullest, we totally get it! Tailor the day according to your needs and wishes. Revelstoke offers endless terrain and infinite tours suitable for all skill and fitness levels. Have the expert guides show you the tricks of the trade and let the adventure begin!
Advanced Tours & Ski Mountaineering
If you want to go further and climb higher, Revelstoke offers an array of possibilities. It is ideal for proficient skiers and offers a myriad of breathtaking and challenging slopes, couloirs and glades. Explore the endless opportunities Revelstoke offers and feel the adrenaline as you powder ski down the longest vertical in North America at over 1,700 metres.
Things you need to know
Covid measures in Revelstoke
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Revelstoke, BC, please refer to the Revelstoke’s official website.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
Why should I book with 57hours?
With us, it’s all play and no work for you! 57hours is an open platform that connects you with trained and certified outdoor adventure professionals all over the world. Using our tech-savvy, we make it super easy to find and book adventures worth tackling, with guides worth booking, all gathered from the first-hand experiences of the locals who adventure in these amazing locations.
Why should I go backcountry skiing?
Nothing beats the rush you’ll get from laying down first tracks on an incredible route with nothing but endless terrain laying before you. Alpine peaks, open bowls, steep and secluded tree shots, cruisy, mellow runs — it’s all out there waiting to be explored in the backcountry. You’ll spend less time waiting in chairlift lines and more time skiing, so leave the crowded resort behind and head off-piste for some of the best powder you’ll ever experience!
What can I expect from skiing with a guide?
A certified ski guide will take all of the guesswork out of your time in the backcountry. From tour planning to route selection, terrain management, avalanche safety, and gear knowledge, your guide’s expertise and backcountry experience will ensure you have an unforgettable ski touring adventure. It doesn’t matter your skill level, whether you’ve never backcountry skied or you’re seasoned on the slopes, skiing with a guide has its advantages. Your techniques will sharpen, you’ll learn how to navigate terrain safely, make smart decisions, and most of all, you’ll remain safe in unfamiliar terrain.
What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?
Backcountry skiing isn’t just for pros looking for the ultimate thrill ride, it’s also beginner friendly, meaning anyone with blue level resort experience can have fun in the backcountry. If you’ve never backcountry skied before, heading out with a guide is your best bet. They’ll take care of the planning, introduce you to the basics, like skinning uphill, and teach you how to manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training to keep you safe.
What’s included?
What you get in this adventure:
- An experienced, certified ski guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- A full-day of backcountry ski touring
What’s not included:
- Technical backcountry ski touring equipment
- Lift ticket for Revelstoke Mountain Resort (if applicable)
- Transportation
- National Park and Winter Permit fees (if applicable)
How fit do I need to be?
In order to enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to have a good level of fitness. You will be on your feet for a full day and need to be ready to ascend up to 3.5 hours total throughout the day. While there is terrain for all skill levels in Revelstoke, BC, you will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on blue level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.
What equipment do I need to bring?
For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:
- Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
- Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
- Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented):
- Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
- Lightweight snow shovel
- Avalanche probe
- Harness for glacier travel
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
- Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-tex recommended)
- Ski pants (Gore-tex recommended)
- Helmet
- Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
- Down jacket or vest
- Gloves and hat
- One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
- Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
- Water bottle and 1L of water
- Food you can eat on-the-go
- Sunglasses or ski goggles
- First-aid kit
- Sunscreen
- Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-45L bag)
- Camera — optional
Can I rent equipment?
All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:
- Avalanche safety pack, including backpack, beacon, shovel and probe can be rented from Revelstoke Powder Rentals.
- Alpine touring or telemark skis, touring boots and poles can be rented from Revelstoke Powder Rentals
- Splitboards can be rented from Revelstoke Powder Rentals
The rental gear location is in Revelstoke and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.
What’s the itinerary?
Your backcountry ski tour will be fully customized to match your skill level and objectives. You and your guide will discuss route selection, skills development, and whatever else you’d like to focus on. From there, your guide will plan the perfect day tailored just for you taking into consideration factors such as weather and snow conditions.
Depending on your objectives, full days may start earlier and end later, but in general, your day will look like this:
- 7:30 am: Meet your guide at the guide’s recommended location and talk about your goals for the day (usually at your accommodation, Revelstoke Mountain Resort or a local cafe)
- 8:00 am: Head to the location of your backcountry ski tour
- 8:30 am – 3:30 pm: Gear up, go over safety considerations, and spend the day backcountry skiing on routes selected to best suit your group, stopping for lunch and breaks as needed
- 4:00 pm: Back to the cars for debriefing and high fives
What is the minimum age requirement?
- Everybody over the age of 18 is welcome to book this backcountry skiing adventure.
- Minors may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis. If you plan to ski with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
What about group sizes and pricing?
For this adventure, the max client to guide ratio is 4:1.
The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to backcountry ski with friends and family.
Ski touring in Revelstoke can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
What about bad weather?
Mitigating avalanche risk is paramount for any excursion in the backcountry — that’s why it’s best to tour with a guide! Rest assured, your guide will set objectives that are attainable for the weather conditions on that particular day. Of course, inclement weather can always get in the way of backcountry skiing, but your guide will know the best course of action to take if the weather takes a turn.
On the rare occasion of truly bad weather, your guide will present you with suitable, safe alternatives. The most common practice is to move to a nearby location if it exists, or to reschedule your backcountry ski tour to a more favorable day.
If backcountry skiing is not possible on your scheduled day and no options presented are viable, you will be issued a full refund.
Do I need an insurance policy?
We highly recommended that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more.
As we’ve recently seen, travel plans can be abruptly halted, so it’s a good idea to purchase travel insurance that covers cancelled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans. For peace of mind, we suggest you consider both options of insurance.
If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Cancellation policy
With 57hours, you benefit from both our own cancellation policy as well as that of the individual guiding service that delivers your adventure. All policies regarding cancellation will be clearly laid out by your guide after booking your adventure, but rest assured that our own cancellation policy will work on top of what is provided by your guide.
For this adventure, 57hours offers a Moderate Cancellation Policy, which states:
If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to thirty (30) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund. For cancellations fourteen (14) to twenty nine (29) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking. For cancellations zero (0) to thirteen (13) days in advance, the Client is not entitled to any refund.
For more information on terms and conditions, please visit our Terms of Service page.
Getting there and meeting location
Calgary International Airport (YYC) is generally the airport of choice for most travellers, which is around four hours away by car. Another option is Kelowna International Airport (YLW), only a two-hour drive from the resort. You can rent a car or take a shuttle service from both airports.
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet. The day usually starts early at your accommodation, Revelstoke Mountain Resort or a local cafe.
Guides we recommend

Greg Hill
ACMG Ski Guide, Advanced First Aid, CAA Avalanche OperationsLevel 2
ACMG Ski Guide, Advanced First Aid, CAA Avalanche OperationsLevel 2
Adam Zok
ACMG Ski Guide
Reviews
Regardless of your goals for a trip you really can’t go wrong hiring him. He has a plethora of knowledge around snow science/avalanche safety as well as tips and tricks around the snow sports industry as he regularly gets out skiing with some of the biggest name athletes in the skiing world.
I live in the area he primarily guides yet he has shown me new areas almost every time we have gone out together. Be it rock climbing or backcountry skiing/snowboarding we always have a great time. He is the best insurance policy I have that makes sure I am safe and have a great time.