The Stoke

Like much of Revelstoke, The Stoke took a brief shoulder-season hiatus but is back with a vengeance. Revelstoke locals are already racking up ski days – the snow has been falling steadily to a level of about 1000 metres, which spells great things for alpine conditions.

Brandon Pollard throwing on the skins. The RMR Pro Patroller is already racking up the touring days!

The touring has been stunningly good, with knee-deep, velvety snow the rule rather than the exception. Mt. McCrae has been a popular ski touring destination this October, with skiers (and a few snowboarders thrown in for good measure) happily slapping on the skins and marching upwards and onwards.

Last Sunday the access road was passable to the trailhead, so the 500 or so vertical metres to the sub-peak flew by in a flash (though a few weren’t at their quickest due to some off-season indulgence). After a very snowy, socked-in Monday, the road was sloppy but leagues of die-hards still plowed their Toyotas through as far as they could in 4L, chains blazing. Sail Mountain has also been an early-season favourite, with access still pretty solid if you’ve got a 4×4. Revy is truck central, but for good reason!

Here at The Stoke, we love big dogs. Do you tour with your pup? Send in your pics of your dog out loving the snow, because it makes us smile. RMR Patroller Brandon Pollard’s husky/blue heeler Niska was the star of the day on her last touring session – she scored the best line of the day, leaping off a two-footer before charging down the fall line through chest-deep (on a doggy) pow.

Do you have any Revelstoke touring stories from the 2009 early season? Let us know at The Stoke! Share any pics or adventures to help all our readers see how stellar the touring is in our backyard (without giving away your secret stashes, of course!).