Moving from whistler to revelstoke

2

250r

Active member
So I've been living in Whistler about 6 years now, and its been awesome. I have the ability to buy a truck now, so I'm thinking about going to explore the interior for a year. Was thinking Revelstoke would be a good home base. I'm a chef so I would much prefer to be somewhere with somewhat nice restaurants. I thought I would work for one of the restaurants owned by the mountain in revy, so i could get a pass. I mainly ski pow, but like to mess around with some park too. Would be easy to pop down to silverstar or big white when it hasn't snowed in revy. After being in whist so long, I'm kind of used to having civilization close by, vernon and kelowna are pretty close though. I need a mountain that has its own restaurants at the base of the hill, so I can get a free pass, and work night shifts.

Would revy be a good fit for this? Any other recommendations of where to go?

Im planning on getting a tacoma for 8k, or I could get a volvo or subi for a lot less. figured it would be good to have a truck out there, especially if I want to access the backcountry. how are the roads typically out there?

What are some of the nicer restaurants in revy?

I'm still waiting for my housing rental application to go through, how hard is it to find a place there?

Should I invest in a GPS for traveling between mountains? or is cell reception typically adequate for using google maps?

I think I have things mostly figured out, but this is all so last minute that it would be good to hear some peoples opinions.
 
Also in Whistler we have the "spirit pass" which is a discounted season pass for people who work in town. Is there an equivalent to that in revy incase I don't work for the mountain?
 
Would revy be a good fit for this? Any other recommendations of where to go?

-Revy works for this. They have their own park and Big White/Silverstar are close enough for weekend trips. Kicking Horse would fit this description as well. Lake Louise has a sick park and it's 1 hr away.

Im planning on getting a tacoma for 8k, or I could get a volvo or subi for a lot less. figured it would be good to have a truck out there, especially if I want to access the backcountry. how are the roads typically out there?

-Tacoma's are sweet but are a rip off. Great trucks, terrible on fuel and are ridiculously priced. Shop for a long time and find a good deal. Subarus are better for highway driving in snow, good winter tires are cheaper, gas is a lot cheaper too. Do you need a truck for a sled, work etc? Plenty of options for trucks that cost much less. Car advice aside, if you are worried about driving to the hill, or to major BC access points, a good Subie will do great. There are definitely a few locations where you would want a truck or just that extra clearance and 4 low. Roger's Pass is the go to Back country area. No truck needed there.

I'm still waiting for my housing rental application to go through, how hard is it to find a place there?

I've heard it's tough but not nearly Whistler tough. Move in by Nov 1 and you're doing a lot better.

Should I invest in a GPS for traveling between mountains? or is cell reception typically adequate for using google maps?

I'm not sure what you mean here. For highway travel between resorts? Phone. For logging road travel? Get a map or if you really want, a GPS. Phones get amazing reception out here but you can't depend on it. If you are talking about ski touring between mountains, do not use your phone. They interfere with your transceiver, have limited coverage and the batteries don't last in -20.
 
Revy is an awesome place to live, so is kicking horse. Revelstoke has a few on hill options but I'm not sure how late their open until. Might have to get a job in town. I don't think you'd need a GPS, it's pretty hard to take a wrong turn on Highway 1... reception in rogers pass is kind of shittt though if you're going to be doing any touring up there. Revy is like 1.5 hours away from silver star and big white, but they also have their own small park now for the bad days. Kicking horse as mentioned, doesn't have a park, but it's only an hour away from Louise and 1.5 from sunshine which both have great parks. Finding housing is pretty tough in revelstoke, I'd try and get there as early as possible (ie now). Not sure about the situation in golden.
 
Also rogers pass and highway 1 in general can have terrible road conditions during winter time. You'll definitely want something awd, but I'd kind of be leaning towards the truck. Lots of snow in town and that highway closes quite often. I've been stuck in revelstoke or golden due to road closures multiple times, and even more I've been up to my bumper in snow doing 60kmh trying to get home.
 
If the road is closed, the road is closed. A truck won't get you through. I drive a 92 Subaru Loyale and have never had to put chains on in 10 years. 4 low is the only thing I need for winter logging roads... and that's why I have a replacement tranny sitting in a garage. ;) Don't get a truck for town and highway driving unless you need one.
 
yea im thinking either an xc70 or an outback now...

skiing aside, how would you compare the towns of golden and revelstoke?
 
13728403:250r said:
yea im thinking either an xc70 or an outback now...

skiing aside, how would you compare the towns of golden and revelstoke?
Click to expand...

Revelstoke is more like Whistler, Golden is more Kootenays. I like Golden as it has no line ups for restaurants, a super tight community that doesn't give a fuck about being cool in the ski industry and you are surrounded by dope peaks. Both are sweet towns and coming from Whis either will be a welcome change of pace. What are you looking to do in your off time? Music? Drink your face off? Leisure sports?
 
I spent a week in revy last winter driving up from boise to kelowna and then revelstoke, I left my aunts house in kelowna at like 9 am, made a couple stops and was skiing by 11 so there's that. I found the park to be not bad, obviously the skiing was fucking rad and so was the town. Can't wait till i graduate so i can get up there
 
Try Nakusp. Its halfway between Revelstoke and Nelson, It would be the easiest to get a job for sure. The night life is shit but housing is stupid cheep. There is a Heli-op right in town so if you got a job with them you might get staff days too.
 
Unless you're working for a Heli Ski or Cat operation or only care about touring then Nakusp would be rough in the winter. You'll be a two hour drive to the nearest ski resort on a winding two lane highway that's often icy in the winter. Summit Lake is just a tiny local, low elevation hill.
 
Most smartphones have GPS these days. As long as you download the route and start the trip over an internet connection or data, you will be fine. GPS will continue to work when your phone signal is gone as long as you have already started the trip.
 
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