With spring-like conditions hitting us already, your chance to go snowshoeing this season may be limited.
I headed up on February 12 where it was raining down low but clearer higher up.
Snowshoeing is essentially hiking, and as the owner/operator of the Revelstoke Snowshoe Company, Peter Dixon, explains it access to all types of terrain in winter.
“I like the exercise,” Dixon says.
“You see stuff you never would skiing because all you are concentrating on is not hitting a tree, setting up a good line. You don’t notice animal tracks or the different trees.”
Dixon is a red-bearded giant, versed in knowledge of flora and animals and he points out interesting paw prints along the way.
His snowshoe tour begins at the top of the Revelation Gondola so if you’re lucky, you’ll get a few rays of vitamin D. But the next best thing to seeing the sun is getting out and exploring.
I was introduced to Dixon’s tours by tagging along to his new mom and baby tour, the second one for this year.
If you’re surprised the tours take place on RMR and think you’ve already seen everything there is to from skiing, think again.
Dixon takes snowshoers to a secret inbound section. It’s an area that was prepared but is too flat to ski on and apparently not worth the hike for powder stashes.
“We go on Bacon and Eggs, which was supposed to be a run to the ripper from the top of the gondola,” Dixon says.
“They groom it everyday still, because it’s the best way for the groomers to get over to the Ripper. And also it’s the fastest way for patrol or maintenance to get over. It’s basically like a service road.”
Snowshoeing is almost like discovering a super-power. The wide, toothy contraptions strap to your feet and grip where otherwise you would certainly sink or fall. Suddenly an expanse of terrain is available for you to explore.
Our snowshoe group of four treks along the groomer and then veers off down and up snow banks to interesting, hidden spots.
Like birds who change spots in their V-flying formation, snowshoers take turns breaking trail for the group. It’s a high-energy job particularly when going uphill.
Dixon goes off the vibe of the group as to where he takes people. Some groups are more adventurous.
“We’ll do a lot of uphill and we’ll jump a lot of cliffs on the way home,” he says.
“I even got a 60-year-old Australian senator to jump off a 20-foot cliff.
“She didn’t hesitate at all. Just hit it.”
The tour returns to the top of the gondola and we retire to the outside area at the Mackenzie Outpost for a well-deserved hot drink. Depending on the weather and group, Dixon often has this picnic nestled amongst the trees or at a poignant view spot.
Now all there is to do is download to the base and find a hot tub and relax.
Emily was a guest of Revelstoke Snowshoe Company. Locals (those who live in town) get half price. Tours are available seven days a week and depart daily at 12.45. There are also night tours.
Mom and baby tours are $25 and span about two hours. Regular tours are $60 and range from 2.5–3.5 hours.
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