Revelstoke Winter Carnival readies for weekend of festivities

Revelstoke Winter Carnival 2025 is pulling lessons from last year’s return of the local tradition and gearing up for a weekend of Revelstoke celebrations. The beloved outhouse races, Guns vs. Hoses hockey game and rail jam series return for another year of winter shenanigans and the Great Revelstoke Quiz challenge and the All-Ages Variety Show bring in some new community talents.

“We’re building off the success of last year and all the hype and the energy,” Allie Bruni, producer of Revelstoke Winter Carnival told Revelstoke Mountaineer. 

After last year’s blow-out celebration honouring Revelstoke’s 125th anniversary of becoming a city, this year’s event listing is pared down in comparison. 

“We had our big celebration, we had our fun, but I want this to be sustainable,” Bruni said. “And that means volunteers and resources.”

Last year, Bruni partnered with local non-profits to organize and sponsor each event to both support the carnival and help get local organizations out in front of residents, newcomers and visitors. Bruni is again focused on that community building this year, championing the work Illecillewaet Greenbelt Society (IGS) has already put in to build this year’s course for Revelstoke’s historic outhouse race. Revelstoke Local Food Initiative will be hosting the beer gardens this year, offering warm and seasonal drinks like mulled wine for guests enjoying the outhouse races.

The Great Revelstoke Quiz

Two other Revelstoke favourites will be joining forces Thursday, Feb. 13 to present the Great Revelstoke Quiz as a kick-off to Revelstoke Winter Carnival 2025. Revelstoke Museum & Archives, with the help of Revelstoke Roller Derby, will be quizzing guests on the history and oddities of town. Whether you’ve lived in Revelstoke for 50 years or 50 minutes, everyone 19 years and older is welcome to the Revelstoke Senior’s Center to test their knowledge. 

Participants are encouraged to dress in their best retro outfits and either come with a team of maximum eight participants or fly solo and be partnered with a team. Revelstoke Roller Derby will be skating around with prizes and quiz cards throughout the night.

Riverside Rail Jam

Skiers and boarders of all levels and ages 19 and older are invited to showcase their skills at the Riverside Rail Jam, Friday, Feb. 14 at the Centennial Park after the opening ceremony. Using community input from last year’s rail jam competition, event host Society Snow and Skate is tweaking their layout to include anyone willing to show off a trick or two in front of the crowds. 

In a previous interview with Revelstoke Mountaineer, Karl Jost, Society Snow and Skate owner said the focus on all their rail jam events this season would be to bring in as many willing riders as possible.

“We just want to get more people out there having fun and make something that’s accessible.”

With rails made out of PVC piping instead of metal, and some terrain pieces closer to the ground, the winter carnival Riverside Rail Jam will support a wide range of riders and tricks. 

Historic Outhouse Races

Arguably the event that put previous iterations of the Revelstoke Winter Carnival on the map, the outhouse races will once again be bringing in crowds to Centennial Park to cheer on teams as they race to see which outhouse team is the fastest. Teams of five, with one member in the outhouse at all time, will push their custom-built shack through the course and across the finish line in the double-elimination style tournament.

Rules and expectations for the races have changed over the years, and a list of building requirements and safety rules are available at registration. Participants are encouraged to be as creative as possible in the design of their outhouse.

Proceeds from registration fees will go to IGS.  

Variety Show

Locals are invited to showcase their skills at the Winter Carnival Variety Show, hosted at the Revelstoke Community Centre Saturday, Feb. 15. Whether through accordion playing, stand-up comedy, local bands or poetry reading, the stage is open to a wide range of shows for this family-friendly event. The evening will include audience participation shows for the whole crowd to get in on, and prizes will be awarded to the best talents of the night. 

Sign-up is available online, performances must be all-ages appropriate, drop-ins are welcome the day of the variety show.

Attendees will also get the chance to enjoy the Carnival Valentines Party at Traverse, the Revelstoke RCMP vs. Revelstoke Fire Rescue hockey game at the Revelstoke Forum, a day of live DJ music with artists from around the world and an after-party to wrap up the weekend of events.

“We still have so much going on this year,” Bruni said. “I’m really excited with what we’re able to offer.”

When asked whether there’s been a focus on events for locals or for visitors, Bruni stressed that it’s been about highlighting Revelstoke’s community.

“It’s just been about community to the core. That means all of everybody coming together and being able to enjoy the festivities.”

Bruni is hoping a bit more of the community will be able to step in leading up to Revelstoke Winter Carnival 2025, taking on volunteer roles and sponsoring events. Volunteer positions include pre-event set up, traffic control, outhouse race support, clean up crew and more. Information for sponsorship opportunities, volunteer sign-up and vendor spaces can be found on the Revelstoke Winter Carnival 2025 website page. Check out the Revelstoke Winter Carnival website and Facebook event page for schedules, event updates, live music listings and more.