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Tucked between two mountain ranges in British Columbia, Revelstoke has endless outdoor adventures.
Revelstoke—nicknamed “Pow Town” for its epic snowfall—is synonymous with skiing, so we don’t blame you if you’ve never considered it for a summer vacation. But adventure seekers don’t have to wait until winter to plan a trip. Warmer months bring glacier hikes, aquamarine lakes, moose and bear spotting in one of the world’s only inland temperate rainforests, and scenic journeys aboard glass-roofed trains that wind through the mountains.
The tiny town, home to just over 8,000 residents, is tucked between the towering Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges along the Columbia River. Located a 2.5-hour drive from Kelowna and 4.5 from Calgary, it’s a remote escape away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
One of the area’s biggest draws is Mount Revelstoke National Park, home to parts of the world’s only inland temperate rainforest. It also has the only mountain in Canada’s national park system that can be summited via a short walk from your car. Throughout the park, towering red cedars and western hemlocks more than 1,000 years old stretch over 13 feet in diameter. As you climb higher into the mountains, dense rainforest gives way to bursts of wildflowers and subalpine fir, landscapes only accessible during the fleeting summer months. But don’t leave your jacket behind—even in summer, snow and ice linger at elevations above 6,200 feet.
For even more dramatic alpine scenery, make the drive to Glacier National Park to hike beneath glaciers, spot rushing waterfalls fed by ancient ice fields, and brave a freezing cold plunge in an aquamarine glacier lake. Throughout the summer, park rangers host guided hikes, including programs on how to safely navigate bear country.
Visitors can also book a traditional log cabin or camp beneath the stars, though reservations are required during peak summer months. Nearby Rogers Pass, once considered nearly impassable, played a pivotal role in the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway and remains one of the most dramatic stretches of mountain scenery in the country.
The railway history still shapes Revelstoke today. Originally a railway town carved into the mountains during the expansion of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the late 1800s, Revelstoke remains deeply tied to this history. While the tracks today are primarily used by freight trains, travelers can still experience the route aboard the glass-domed Rocky Mountaineer. The luxurious rail journey winds past glacier-fed rivers, waterfalls, and towering mountain peaks on routes between Vancouver and Banff. Travelers can choose between two- and four-day itineraries that weave through some of western Canada’s most dramatic mountain landscapes.
Beyond seeking out Revelstoke’s epic natural wonders, adventure seekers will find plenty to do. Travelers can paraglide above the Selkirk and Monashee mountain ranges for sweeping aerial views of glacier-carved valleys and lush forests. Since riders are strapped to an experienced pilot, all you have to do is sit back and take in the scenery.
For more adrenaline, local outfitters like Apex Rafting offer whitewater rafting on the Columbia River. Guided are excursions available for both beginners and experienced rafters alike.
For a gentler pace, paddleboarding, canoeing, and fishing provide a quieter way to take in the scenery from the area’s mirror-like lakes, where anglers can catch kokanee salmon and trout.
Golfers will soon have another reason to visit, too. The long-awaited Cabot Revelstoke is set to open for preview play in the fall, bringing luxury golf to the mountains with 18-hole and 12-hole courses designed to blend into the surrounding landscape.
The cool mountain air offers a refreshing escape from muggy summer temperatures, with daytime highs typically hovering around 75 degrees Fahrenheit before dipping to the low 60s in the evening, so be sure to pack a light sweater. Whether you’re hiking beneath glaciers, spotting wildlife in the rainforest, or simply watching the mountains roll by from a train window, Revelstoke proves this legendary ski town deserves just as much attention during the warmer months.
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
