Adventures to have on your mountain elopement in Revelstoke
Many people who choose to elope in the mountains because they mean something special to them. They hold power, beauty, and often fond memories of past adventures. I’m a big supporter of having fun on your wedding day, so why not go on a new adventure to create memories that you will cherish throughout your marriage.
You’re likely going to want to choose an activity that you have some experience in, to avoid unexpected surprises. I also recommend keeping things within your comfort zone for elopement adventures, to keep the pressure off of have to perform at your maximum. Even if you’re used to a good epic here and there, you want this day to be fun and positive, not brutally exhausting and at the edge of your breaking point. If you decide to take on a technical activity like rock climbing, ski touring, or mountaineering, I recommend hiring a mountain guide if you’re choosing an objective you’ve never completed before.
Here is a list of mountain adventures to have on your elopement during each season in Revelstoke.
Year Round Hiking & More
Beautiful Lookouts
Obviously the mountains are full of beautiful spots to pause and take in the view. Ask any local and they’ll tell you their favourite spot for a short hike and pretty view that’s accessible year round. And the best part - they’re never crowded! Maybe you’ll bump in to another couple or a few friends catching up, but you won’t be fighting crowds of tourists for a photo op.
Waterfalls
There are many breathtaking waterfalls around Revelstoke that you can visit any time of the year. In the spring they are rushing as the snow in the mountains begins to melt and in the summer they provide a cool oasis from the intense sun. In the fall they come to life again as the rain picks up and in the winter the surrounding snow and ice brings out a brand new beauty.
Old Growth Rain Forests
Revelstoke lies in the middle of the only inland temperate rainforest in the world. We get tons of precip from October through May and the snow melting in the mountains feeds the forest throughout the hot & dry summer months. Our forests are like something you’d expect to see on the coast, with vibrant moss, overgrown ferns, and towering cedars. Although logging is a huge industry in our region, you can still feel the energy of the ancient trees that established this landscape while enjoying the sights of their thriving kin. And you can’t forget the trickling creeks, calm ponds, and rushing falls to be found throughout.
Hot Springs
There are a number of hotsprings within an hour or two drive from Revelstoke. Some like Halcyon Hotsprings are commercialized with modern pools, change & restroom facilities, spa treatments, restaurants and accommodations. Others are a bit more off the beaten path with pools made by arranging rocks and hand pouring cement to keep them in place. These are easier to access in the summer, but there’s something magical about being in a natural hot spring while it’s snowing around you. To get a pool all to yourself, I recommend camping nearby and visiting early in the morning.
Fishing
I’m no angler myself, but the lakes and rivers surrounding Revelstoke are sure to provide your next catch. Jessica at Grit N Glory Fishing knows all the best spots and her boat can make for a pretty special elopement spot no matter the season.
Paragliding
You can paraglide year round from Revelstoke Mountain Resort with the help of Revelstoke Paragliding. What an incredible way to enter or exit your ceremony!
Camping
You can add camping to any activity, any time of year! From car camping at nearby provincial parks and rec sites to alpine treks or winter adventures, Revelstoke is surrounded by great places to pitch a tent. There truly is nothing like a night spent in nature and unzipping your tent in the morning to watch the sun rise over the mountains.
Spring to Fall in the Valley and Beyond
Road Cycling, Gravel Biking & Bike Packing
As soon as the snow is off the shoulders, the cyclers take to the roads in Revelstoke. There are 2 favourite out and backs that are fairly calm in terms of vehicle traffic and boast beautiful vistas. You can make them as long or short as you want, and don’t need to include much elevation gain if you don’t want to. If you are up for a challenge, Meadows in the Sky Parkway is a paved road winding its way up Mount Revelstoke. It’s closed to vehicles early in the season, so if you can find a window with no snow and no cars, it’s tough climb up and thrilling ride down.
If you’ve hopped on the trend of thicker tires to take you off pavement, Revelstoke has no shortage of forest service roads to take you somewhere new. And you can always load up the panniers to add a night or two of camping along the way.
Mountain Biking
If Mountain biking is more your speed, boy are you in for a treat. Revy is home to a phenomenal trail network maintained by the Revelstoke Cycling Association to fill any desire. From flowy xc, technical climbs, and big mountain downhill, we’ve got it all. Lower trails start melting out in April and stay ridable past October. Revelstoke Mountain Resort opens their gondola access bike park in June around the same time that the majority of blues and blacks surrounding town are good to go. Alpine riding starts later in July, and if you’re happy to shell for a heli-drop on your wedding day, you can access some amazing vista trails without any uphill effort. Another option is to rent an e-mountain bike for the day to ease the effort and maximize on fun.
Dirtbiking
The power sports representation is strong year round here in Revelstoke. The Revy Riders Dirtbike Club maintains a motocross track and single track trails to provide plenty of options for a rip on your wedding day.
Rock Climbing
The first walls start to dry off in Revelstoke before the snow is even gone, but I usually wait until May to bring out the climbing gear. We have multiple crags throughout the valley maintained by the Revelstoke Climbers Access Society. Most routes are bolted single pitch sport climbs which fill the gamut of grades but we also have some epic multi-pitches with outstanding views.
Paddling & Rafting
From the clear blue water of Lake Revelstoke and The Columbia River to the raging rapids of the Illecillewaet and the alpine lakes and glacial streams, Revelstoke is a paddle sport haven. There are endless opportunities for serene flat water canoe, kayak, or stand up paddling in the valley from spring to fall. When the snow melt is in full swing around June you can join a raft tour down the Ille with Apex Rafting or, if you really want to get after it, head to the Jordan for white water kayaking. As the alpine opens up later in July, there are many isolated spots for a cold dip and picturesque paddle. The Revelstoke Paddlesport Association also has weekly meetups throughout the summer so you can get the lay of the land before your big day.
Horse Back Riding
There are many trails throughout the valley perfect a horse back or horse drawn wagon ride. Who says dogs are the only animal you can include in your elopement?
Helicopter or Float Plane Tours
A short helicopter or float plane flight from Revelstoke can get you to some of the incredible wilderness. You can use aviation for access to other activities like hiking or mountaineering, or the flight can be the adventure in itself! Touch down in a beautiful location for your ceremony and a picnic before heading back to town to celebrate.
Summer & Autumn in the Alpine
Alpine Hiking & Backpacking
The alpine around Revelstoke typically becomes accessible for hiking around mid July and stays snow free into September (and sometimes longer). There are a number of day and multi-day hikes full of wild flowers, huckleberries, glacier fed lakes, and unbeatable views. Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Park offer trails with a range of difficulty but it’s important to know that when something around here claims to be steep, it’s steeep! Our valleys are deep so it can take a while to hike through the trees and into the rocks and meadows above treeline. Utilizing the National Parks paved roads or the local FSR’s (be sure to have a high clearance vehicle with four wheel drive for these) to access higher trailheads will help reduce some of the gruelling approaches & descents. Helicopters and float planes can also help give you a boost, especially if you’re bringing your camping gear with you.
Mountaineering
If you’re wanting to take things up a notch, Rogers Pass in Glacier National Park is said to be the birthplace of Canadian Mountaineering. The park is full of classic traverses and big trad routes. But remember, you want to eliminate room for things to go wrong on your wedding day, so don’t bite off more than you can chew. There are some super fun mountaineering routes closer to town as well, and if there was ever a time to consider a heli-bump, this is it.
Winter & Spring Snow
Snowshoeing
With December comes snow, and lots of it! If you’re not into wanting to stick to cleared or packed trails, snowshoes are super helpful for getting off the beaten path. Snowshoe through magical snow covered cedar forests to frozen waterfalls to experience winter at its finest.
Cross Country Skiing
Revelstoke’s Nordic Club has a world class network of groomed trails for both classic and skate skiing. They also have the cutest backcountry cabin with a wood stove to warm up in and breathtaking views of the snow-covered rain forest and surrounding mountains. On the other side of town, the unplowed Meadows in The Sky Parkway at Mount Revelstoke National Park groomed to their viewpoints. There are also various classic trails along the Columbia and Illecillewaet rivers that are perfect if you want to include your dogs in your day.
Ice Climbing
Because of our mild winter temperatures, Ice Climbing isn’t a huge sport in Revelstoke. You can’t always count on it, but there’s typically one or two weeks a year when we get a cold spell and the ice is in at Waterworld or Boulder Mountain. I wouldn’t make it your primary plan for an elopement adventure in Revelstoke, but it’s not a bad back up option (if screaming barfies on your wedding day sounds like a fun time to you, that is)!
(I took this photo on a trip to the Rocky Mountains)
Snowmobiling
Brap up your wedding day by sledding to your elopement spot. Depending on the skill level of you and your group, you can stick to the groomed trails to get to epic viewpoints, or have a little fun in the chest deep powder. The Revelstoke Snowmobile Club grooms trails and maintain warming huts on both Frisbee Ridge and Boulder Mountain.
Resort Skiing or Snowboarding
A great way to get some epic turns in on your wedding day without having to worry about avalanche conditions or shell out the big bucks. RMR has outstanding terrain for any level of rider and even on a holiday weekend you can still find a secluded spot for a ceremony. No matter the weather, you’re in for a great day!
Heli or Cat Skiing / Snowboarding
If there’s a time in your life to guarantee fresh pow, your wedding day is it. Known as the heli skiing capital of the world, Revelstoke is THE place for mechanized skiing and snowboarding. With endless untouched powder just a short flight or cat ride away, get ready for fresh tracks after fresh tracks.
Ski or Splitboard Touring
Just like mountaineering, Roger’s Pass is the most renown spot in Canada for ski touring and split boarding. Revelstoke is full of qualified guides to get you out on a back country adventure like no other. Whether you’re in search of fresh tracks, steep chutes, pillow lines, a spring traverse, or just here for the views, they’ve got you covered.
Dog Sledding
Okay this is maybe my favourite winter activity in Revelstoke. Who doesn’t want to be surrounded by 10+ excited and adorable dogs on their wedding day? And what a way to get to your elopement location! Cozy up in the basket while the mushers and pups of Revelstoke Dogsled Adventures put in the hard work of bringing you to your own private mountain meadow.
What do you think - would you do any of these activities during your Revelstoke elopement? Or is there one that I’m missing? Let me know in the comments below!
