Physical Exertion: Int-Adv / Technical Ability: Advanced
Revelstoke, BC
Our Revelstoke trip is meant to be a progression through the Chasing Epic “heirarchy” of destinations, and we recommend this trip only for those who are confident in their technical skills and consider themselves an advanced or expert-level rider. The trails in Revelstoke truly are “next level” in terms of steepness, tech, and intensity; they’ll push you beyond your limits and have you begging for more. To us, Revelstoke is the epitome of rowdy big-mountain riding where the descents seem to last forever and the forearm pump is real. If you’ve done Whistler with us and liked your day spent in Pemberton, then Revelstoke is definitely the next logical step for you.
This trip is focused on the descents. Sure, we’ve got a couple of big climbs mixed in (it’s a Chasing Epic trip, after all) but we’ll also utilize shuttles to access the sweetest trails in the area. Check out the planned itinerary below to see our perfect mix of alpine, trail and enduro-style riding in one of our favorite destinations.
This trip is for advanced riders and those looking to step up their technical riding. The trails we ride are gnarly, steep, technical and fast. Expect consistently steep terrain, big exposure, man-made features, and just about anything else you can dream of. This trip is all about the descents, although we will have to climb a bit to earn our turns. Overall you can expect a breakdown of 70% shuttles and 30% human power during this trip.
Airport Options: Kelowna, BC (2.5 hours) – Calgary (4-5 hours)
Expected Itinerary
Day 0: Arrive in Revelstoke around 5pm to build bikes, have welcome dinner and a drink, and do a group introduction hitting the important pieces of the week to come.
Day 1: Warm-up ride on the Macpherson trails (about 2-3 hours or 8-10 miles), lunch, then head out for multiple afternoon shuttles on the Boulder Mountain DH-focused trails. Plan on 4-6k’ of descending this afternoon, we’re just getting warmed up!
Day 2: Shuttle drop at the main parking lot for Frisby Ridge (with a 3,000′ bump!) to start our ride, then we’ll climb about two hours to the top before eating lunch with one of the best views you’ll see anywhere. All that effort will pay off in the afternoon, as we’ll hit Frisby Ridge, UFC and Ultimate Frisby on the 5k’ descent back down into town.
Day 3: AM shuttle laps on Boulder Mountain (about 5-6k’ of increasingly difficult trails), lunch, and then an afternoon shuttle on Martha Creek (5k’) before ending for post-ride beers and snacks on the Columbia River. Bring your trunks for a dip!
Day 4: Today we’re heading into the high alpine in Keystone Standard Basin, truly epic! Expect about 15 miles and 3,000′ of climbing/descending on one of the best high alpine trails in BC. For our private groups, you’ll also have the option to hit Revelstoke Mountain Resort for a day at the park.
Day 5: Morning shuttle laps on Boulder Mountain. This morning we’ll hit some rider favorites for a few hours before wrapping things up for lunch – lots of options to finish off an epic trip. Expect to be done by 12:30p, so you can plan your departure and start your drive/flight home!
Common FAQs
Which bike should I bring (or rent)? Easy, a full-on enduro bike with 150mm+ of rear travel and at least 160mm up front. The terrain in Revy calls for the biggest bike that you don’t mind pedaling.
What’s the weather going to be like in mid-August? You can expect highs in the 70’s or 80’s with a slight chance of rain each day in Revelstoke. When our rides take us up into the alpine (above 5k’), it’ll be a bit cooler which should be perfect. In the past, mid-August has brought us both a week of hero dirt and a week of dry and loose trails, so it’s tough to predict!
Where should I fly into? Either Kelowna or Calgary. Kelowna is the closest “major” airport, which is about 2.5 hours from Revelstoke. Calgary is 5 hours, but the drive is absolutely incredible and definitely worth the extra time if you’ve got it.
The description says you should be an advanced rider for this trip, what does that mean? The terrain in Revelstoke is legit. It’s steep and technical, and not for intermediate riders. If you can comfortably ride all the black-rated trails at home or in destinations you’ve been to in the western US, then you’ll really enjoy Revelstoke.