Editor’s Note: A mistake in January’s print issue of the Revelstoke Mountaineer incorrectly attributed this story to a contributing writer. Revelstoke Mountaineer’s full time reporter Lys Morton wrote this piece. We apologize for the inaccuracy and for any confusion it may have caused.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s (RMR) Jason Kelder, president and Peter Nielsen, vice president of operations and general manager presented the fall update to city council during a Thursday, Dec. 12 Committee of the Whole meeting and to roughly 40 attendees at a following public information session at Revelstoke Community Centre.
Camozzi open for business
The newly aligned Camozzi Road is now open with traffic calming features and access to the resort from the Nichol Road roundabout.
While the new Camozzi Road is fully open for vehicles, the multi-use pathway alongside the road that will connect RMR to the path system throughout the rest of Revelstoke is still under construction. Necessary path lighting has been delayed due to shipping issues, and the path cannot be completed until lighting infrastructure is installed and functioning. Opening of the multiuse pathway is scheduled for spring 2025.
Transit to the hill
Partnering with the City of Revelstoke and BC Transit, RMR has been working to increase transit access to the resort year-round through Revelstoke Transfers and BC Transit fleet. Upgrades to the resort’s bus stop included a dedicated strip, making loading and unloading with gear and luggage easier for passengers.
Ridership has grown from 43,683 users in the 2021-2022 peak season to 119,629 in the 2023-2024 peak season. With planned increases in scheduled stops and an improved transit hub at the resort, Nielsen hopes to see transit usage continue to grow
“It’s not just about getting people to the resort,” he said. “It’s really about a network where you can safely and easily get around without having to get into your car.”
RMR was impacted by the fleet update struggles the City of Revelstoke and BC Transit faced in 2024, with the provincial organization focusing on developing transit in other communities and unable to provide the vehicles needed to expand Revelstoke’s network. Even with the hurdle of working with multiple partners, Nielsen is relieved that a project over a decade in the making is seeing growth.
“The city has the best ability to lobby the province for help, we’re just happy to be a partner.”
In a meeting with city council before the public information session, Nielsen expressed RMR’s continued desire to see transit to the resort be free for users.
“I think the [current] $2 is a little bit of a barrier,” Kelder added. “Not in terms of price but convenience.”
RMR’s 2024 opening day saw some traffic woes as staff worked to get vehicles into the 1,500 stalls offered on-site. Kelder estimated that most vehicles showed up to the hill with only a driver or one other occupant, reducing the overall efficiency of parking.
“The more we can get the local population, as well as people staying in hotels to take transit, the less congestion and risk on the road.”
Staff housing in town and at the resort
RMR’s 300-bed staff housing project is projected to open 92 apartments by late spring 2025 . Currently, RMR has roughly 350 beds leased or owned in Revelstoke, a fact that some residents have pointed to adding to the rental crisis in town. When asked by Revelstoke Mountaineer what will happen to the 350 beds in town once staff housing is completed, Nielsen explained that leased assets would be let go, but properties owned by RMR would remain within their staff housing pool to create a range of housing opportunities for staff depending on their needs.
“From the 18-year-old, first time away from home with the backpack on to the 55-year-old professionals who need housing, and everything in between, we really want to have a diverse portfolio,” he said.
Growing residential projects
Neighbourhoods around the resort are in development as RMR’s Raven Townhomes now has occupants moving into some of the three bed, three bath homes.
Arrowhead Crossing, Benchlands Residence and a hotel-condo mix expansion in the resort’s North Village are all in planning stages to increase housing around RMR.
Kelder noted that services development in the area has inflated prices for Raven Townhomes, but RMR’s goal is to create housing that would meet the needs of middle-management staff at the resort.
“The housing crunch affects the community, and we’re one of the largest employers in the community. So that problem is our problem.”
The short-term rental question
Development of the resort, including gondola expansions and on-hill amenities depend on one key factor still up in the air; city council’s plans for the resort municipality short-term rental (STR) primary residency regulation.
“We are an overnight destination ski town,” Kelder explained. “We do not have a nightly or daily ski population outside of people living in Revelstoke.”
While some resorts can rely on larger neighbouring municipalities to commute daily, lessening the need for overnight accommodations, RMR predicts that ridership would drop by 20 per cent if Revelstoke opted into resort municipality STR regulations, a caveat that resort municipalities have the option to opt in and out of.
“We would have absolutely zero need for a lift with that.”
A cyclical chance of Revelstoke opting out of the resort primary residency allowance is one of the key pushes for RMR’s focus on developing real estate as a way to diversify funds for future developments.
“We still have a lot before we see maximum capacity with what we have already built,” Kelder said. “But we want to be building ahead of the need.”
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