Revelstoke: Valentine’s Powder Day
The Great Gondola Funnel
We woke up to the sound of rain—a discouraging echo of our Schweitzer experience. It was also our first Saturday on the slopes, and the crowd at the base was massive. Because of the mountain’s unique layout, everyone has to funnel through a single gondola, making the line look intimidating. However, the rumors were true: what was rain at the base was pure, light powder up top.
Following a tip from a local regular, we found a lift that delivered exactly what we’d been hunting for. The snow was deep, fresh, and reminiscent of a prime Colorado season. We spent the morning charging through trees and moguls, taking the best runs of the trip so far. After beers and lunch, we went out for more, skiing most of the day.
A Canadian Anniversary
It wasn’t just Valentine’s Day; it was also my and Rose’s anniversary. We celebrated with a double date at a local pub that really screamed “O Canada”: ski decor, flags everywhere, and Olympic hockey on the TV. After a day of burning through our legs on the mountain, we refueled the only way you can in BC: poutine, pizza, and cold beers.
Day two was a “rinse and repeat” of the first, but with shorter lines and plenty of powder stashes still waiting for us. In Colorado, these would have been skied off by 10:00 AM, but Revelstoke kept on giving.
The Rugged Road to Lake Louise
Wiped out but satisfied, we began the trek toward Lake Louise. The drive over Rogers Pass through Glacier National Park was hands-down one of the most unbelievable stretches of road I’ve ever seen. The mountains here are definitely different than in CO: rugged, jagged peaks draped in massive glaciers.
We made a quick stop in a town called, funny enough, Golden for (you guessed it) another bookstore, and visited the frozen Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park.
Chasing the Storm
We pulled into Lake Louise just as the snow started to fall again. The forecast is calling for another four inches overnight, so we’ve hunkered down in the vans, layering on every blanket and sleeping bag we own. It’s going to be a cold night, but the promise of fresh powder in the morning is keeping the stoke high.
