Revelstoke Mountain Resort 2024 opening day welcomes guests

Three skiiers in winter gear sitting in a chair lift, waving at the camera as they head up Revelstoke Mountain Resort — Riders on the chair at Revelstoke Mountain Resort 2024 opening day. **Photo by Hywel Williams**

Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR) 2024 winter season kicked off Saturday, Nov. 30 with over 310 centimeters of snow ready for guests, outperforming last season’s opening day. Folks lined up as early as Friday morning to secure a spot on the first gondolas.

“I want first lines, that’s why I’m here,” Jordan Phillips, one of the first 50 in line, told Revelstoke Mountaineer. First lines for skiing and snowboarding means being the first one to ride a particular path over fresh powder. Lines were long throughout the day at North Bowl’s Ripper Chair as folks worked to find their own first lines down the mountain.

While the sun made attempts to break through cloud and fog cover throughout the first half of the day, fresh snow began falling around Mackenzie Outpost by the afternoon. This didn’t deter guests from enjoying drinks and meals at the mid-mountain concession spot, with some taking a seat in the snow around the building after not finding a chair or bench to claim.

While guest numbers for opening day are still being calculated, Laura Meggs, RMR communications manager said the turn-out was exceptionally strong, a response to prime conditions for opening day.

“It’s incredible to see the community’s shared passion and excitement as we kick off another incredible season together,” Meggs told Revelstoke Mountaineer.

Looking forward to what’s predicted to be an exceptional year instead of dwelling on previous seasons seemed to be a theme across the mountain for opening day.

“We don’t talk about last season,” Phillips said. “We’re just focusing on this season.”

Some guests who joined the line for first chair early on Saturday voiced concern over the amount of waste and gear left behind by folks camping in line overnight. Mounds of trash were piled at various points in the queue and camping chairs, propane fires and more were abandoned by owners heading up the hill.

“Our team promptly cleaned up the site after the lift lines cleared out,” Meggs said. “Most camping gear was reclaimed by owners at the end of the day, and unclaimed items were placed in Lost and Found for later retrieval.”