About Revelstoke
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The town of Revelstoke "a current epicenter of heli-and cat skiing-is like a Canadian Jackson, Wyo., with a funky and historic downtown, big mountains, abundant snow and a friendly population of happily obsessive skiers" - Ski Magazine -January 2008
Located in the heart of the Monashee and Columbia Mountains and surrounded by National Parks, lakes, rivers, glaciers and trees as far as the eye can see Revelstoke is Canada's mountain playground. This four-season resort and adventure destination has a picturesque downtown with historic Victorian, Art Moderne, Queen Anne and Dutch Revival buildings that mingle with West Coast vernacular on streets backed by Monashee and Selkirk Mountain views. There are hip coffee shops, community festivals such as Timber Days and Winterlude and a strong sense of community. The 1,000-seat Revelstoke forum is always full with junior hockey games. The 8,300 locals are a mix of timber, railway and construction workers, artists, musicians, mountain guides, urban refugees, and professionals. "Revelstoke is the kind of small town where kids meander down the sidewalks on their way to school".
Revelstoke has a spectacular setting on the main east-west transportation corridor through British Columbia. The community is in close proximity to two National Parks and some of the finest outdoor recreation opportunities in North America.
Over the past two decades the city has embarked on an ambitious downtown revitalization program, which has preserved and enhanced some of the community's outstanding architecture.
The City's recently adopted Official Community Plan identifies smart growth principles for all city neighborhoods. City Council is facilitating the formation of a master public participation plan for all communities. Those groups will help shape the nature and character of development, address resort impacts such as rental and housing diversity, and provide advice to City Council on development projects - land use, transportation and parks and trails, economic and environmental planning. Major regulatory and policy documents will be considered for adoption next year including: a Unified Development Bylaw that combines zoning, subdivision and building in a proactive regime of master planning; and Official Community Plan policies ad targets regarding climate change. The City's community energy system strategic plan will be updated and adopted with a partnership grant from BC Hydro.
Economic indicators in Revelstoke are high with the main contributors to the economy being transportation, rail highway and air, the forest industry and tourism and hospitality. Tourism and hospitality have contributed over the past 20 years to the diversification of the local economy and provides 16% of Revelstoke's base employment income according to the City of Revelstoke's 2008 Quick Facts. Recent tourism studies estimate 1.1 million visitors come to the community during the summer season. Highway traffic counts indicate a potential 3 million visitors travel the Trans Canada Highway through Revelstoke each year.
Revelstoke's downtown revitalization is indicative of the way the residents perceive themselves and the town: vibrant, healthy, clean, hospitable, resilient and forward thinking. Visitors and residents alike enjoy many festivals and special events that are held throughout the year, including theater and arts, heritage celebrations, concerts, farmers markets, seasonal nightly entertainment in Grizzly Plaza, parades and sporting events.
Revelstoke snapshot:
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Population 8,300: Median Age 40.9: Median Household Income $65,400: Median Home Price $372,000: Elevation 1,476 feet: Annual Snowfall 13 feet (town), 40 to 60 feet (mountains).
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Revelstoke School District operates four elementary schools and one secondary school. Okanagan College Campus offers Degree and after Degree continuing studies programs. Revelstoke Language School offers customized studies for international students.
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37 restaurants, dining rooms and pubs, 21 motels and/or hotels, 5 resorts, 14 B&B's, 8 lodges, 2 hostels and 24 campgrounds.
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Full service Community Center, Aquatic Center, Seniors Activity Center, Okanagan Regional Library, 16 parks / playgrounds, 4 tennis courts, 18 hole golf course, arena and curling rink, Nordic ski srea, 2 National Parks, Lake Revelstoke dragon boat and rowing club, mountain bike trails, 250+ rock climbing routes, 50+km of groomed snowmobile trails, horse back riding, river rafting, racquet and squash court, bowling and more. For a full list of activities visit the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce or a Tourist Information Centre.