After last winter’s late resort opening, lower snow levels and quieter tourism trends, Revelstoke businesses are gearing up for a winter for the books. With a possible La Niña in the forecast, this winter could give local shops some breathing room.
Upcoming events
“This year has been a huge increase already,” Karl Jost, Society Snow and Skate owner told Revelstoke Mountaineer. “People are frothing.”
The shop is currently offering sale prices on items from previous seasons in an effort to make room for new gear and provide savings for locals and early visitors. This season’s trends are in stock, including winter clothing, bindings, footwear boards and more.
“We’re really looking to elevate the snowboard scene,” Jost said, listing off plans for a Rail Jam series hosted at the Dose Coffee roastery and potentially at the Big Eddy Brewery. Plans are in the works for Revelstoke Mountain Resort to bring back their rail series for the season as well.
“We just want to get more people out there having fun and make something that’s accessible.”
He plans for the Society Snow and Skate rail jams to be welcoming to entry-level riders, in preparation for the upcoming 2025 Winter Carnival, with Society Snow and Skate hosting the rail jam event.
There are more ideas in the works and Jost encourages folks to keep an eye out and stop by the shop for support in finding the right gear for their winter adventures.
“This is supposed to be about supporting the community, having fun, getting out there and making sure Revelstoke is growing in the right way, and that long-term locals and newcomers are supported and felt recognized alike.”
Local shows
Those looking to add some nightlife adventures to their winter plans will have a host of shows and open mic events to choose from at The Last Drop. With a new sound system to support all musicians and artists, Bec Salem, The Last Drop manager and Nolan Libby, The Last Drop assistant manager are excited for a packed lineup this winter.
“We had a lot of changes last season, and the venue kind of transformed into something that it’s never sort of been in the past,” Salem said, noting that well-known artists are starting to find their way to The Last Drop, and locals are enjoying what has become a launchpad for various local artists.
The Last Drop’s open mic sessions and open deck sessions have been a key spot for local bands like Pickle Juice and local DJs to work in front of a home crowd. With their updated sound system and some goals mapped out, Salem said the team is excited to see what this winter brings to town.
“Even last year we had folks really excited about what was happening,” Salem added. “Those locals who have really stuck with us got to see what we were building and we can’t wait for them to see what we have planned.”
While the last couple of winters have been lackluster, The Last Drop has still been a key place to meet up for apres, with lines to get in and folks staying to the very last minute. Staff are eager to see how the community continues to support one another with a more robust winter ahead.
“Revelstoke is such a rich artist town – our DJs, our musicians, our glass blowers and everyone,” Libby said. “It’s a community that really supports their artists, which we have to keep going.”
Supporting local health
While physio health services in town might see a boost from overeager skiers and snowboarders, the physical health of everyone in Revelstoke needs to be supported, Andrea Lustenberger, CEO of Keystone Health told Revelstoke Mountaineer. The business recently purchased Trans Canada Fitness, one of the local gyms in town, with plans to bring all of Keystone Health’s services under one roof while providing fitness resources to current and future members.
“There are people in town who have their fitness routines outside during the summer, but Revelstoke is pretty challenging to move around in the winter.”
Treadmills, stationary bikes and other equipment are vital for those bringing their fitness routines inside, and the gym will remain a place that supports locals and visitors in their fitness goals, Lustenberger said.
Physical treatment centre and sports health practitioners will soon have offices located in the back of the gym, providing clients with a wide range of equipment to use during sessions. Members will still have full access to the equipment and can expect future upgrades come summer. One upgrade Lustenberger is particularly eager for is something similar to swipe access hours, increasing the open times for the gym and allowing for non-staffed hours.
Keystone will also be working into the summer to add wheelchair accessible doors and stations in the main gym area, increasing the number of residents and visitors the gym can support.
This winter, Keystone is focused on getting settled into the new space and keeping a key Revelstoke business open, Lustenberger said, especially with fitness being a strategy to counter seasonal blues and support mental health.
“Being able to keep that up and running and available to the community is really important to us.”
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