The mountain trails surrounding Revelstoke vary from extreme steep to open meadows and mountain lakes. Great snow and wide open areas are draws for sledders of all ages and abilities, who can explore the area from October through to June.
As one of B.C.’s premier sledding destinations, Revelstoke boasts mountain riding in five main areas as well as one of the province’s largest and most active snowmobile clubs. Over 100 kilometres of well-marked, groomed trails are accessible from one of three staging areas.
Members of the Revelstoke Snowmobile Club recommend that everyone using the trails should read the avalanche bulletins available on the Canadian Avalanche Association website, and carry avalanche protection equipment and know how to use it.
Boulder Mountain
The main staging area is off the highway and good signage makes it easy to find. Left from the parking lot is the trail to Boulder Mountain, which traverses the Jordan River and then splits into two—the Kirkup Trail is the first branch-off and it winds 25 kilometres to the Boulder Cabin. If you don’t branch off at Kirkup, the mail trail becomes the Veideman Trail, which will take you to Boulder Cabin, approximately 20 kilometres. On the way to the Veideman Trail about halfway is the Bezanson—approximately 12 kilometres. The more adventurous can head past the Boulder Cabin on five kilometres of groomed trail to the top of the mountain and on to the Super Bowl, Sugar Bowl and the vast riding areas the mountain offers.
Sale Mountain
Sale Mountain is 20 kilometres north of Revelstoke. The trail is not groomed into this area but access is right from Highway 23 north towards Mica Creek. The mountain usually offers the first and last sledding of the season because of the easy access to the top. BC Hydro has a microwave tower at the top, accessed by a road; this, of course, allows easier access with less snow. The area does have a caribou habitat closure from Jan 1 to April 15 but does offer some very nice riding in open alpine areas.
Frisby Ridge
Head right from the Boulder Mountain staging area along groomed trail over Streeter Street to Frisby Ridge, or get on at a second staging area beside Westside Road. Frisby Trail is 20 kilometres of groomed trail that heads up to the cabin and on to the summit. Beyond this point, an ungroomed trail heads out to the Green Tower and to the rest of the ridge.
Two resorts in town—Peaks Lodge and Glacier House Resort—offer the ability to leave right from the parking lot to access the trails leading to both Boulder and Frisby.
Caribou closures
Mountain caribou are an eco-type of B.C.’s woodland caribou population and are globally unique as the world’s southernmost caribou population. Fragmented habitats, predators, disturbance and climate change have endangered the species, which live in the mountains around Revelstoke.
Every year from January 1 to April 15, an extended area along Frisby Ridge is closed during caribou season. Be sure to read the information page on the club’s website for useful mountain caribou information.
