Superb Snow Conditions for Revelstoke’s Opening Weekend

Bluebird day at Bighorn Revelstoke

Revelstoke is enjoying superb early season conditions with a solid base of snow and a dump of 40cm of fresh snow last weekend. Revelstoke Mountain Resort opened with a bang and there were queues of people who had been camping out overnight to get the first tracks of the season! Cold temperatures have ensued, keeping the powder snow light and dry.

These cold bluebird days are perfect for enjoying the views from Bighorn. They also make for some spectacular heliskiing in the backcountry, with good visibility and fun terrain features. We still have some availability in January, so contact us now to enjoy the fantastic early season snow.

Bighorn Voted World’s Best Chalet

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We are pleased to announce that Bighorn was voted not only Canada’s Best Ski Chalet, but the World’s Best Ski Chalet at the World Ski Awards. The prestigious ceremony took place in Kitzbuhel, Austria last week and was attended by ski industry VIP’s from around the globe. Bighorn beat stiff competition from luxury properties in 20 countries including France, Switzerland and the USA.

Bighorn’s founder was in Austria to accept the award, click here to see his reaction

Our decadent lodge has unrivalled accommodation and facilities as well as outstanding cuisine and service from a dedicated team of staff. Bighorn also has a private helipad from which guests can fly directly to the renowned heli ski terrain of the Selkirk Mountains. Heli skiing is complemented by superb lift skiing at Revelstoke Mountain Resort.

Congratulations to our hardworking team who make staying at Bighorn a unique and now award-winning experience!

It’s Dumping at Bighorn Revelstoke


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It’s been snowing in the Selkirk and Monashee Mountains for a few weeks now, but in the last few days it has been dumping all the way to the base. Check out our video to see the white out at Bighorn. With just 3 weeks until the start of the season, the snow base is looking good and we expect great early winter conditions. Bring on the pow!

Superchalets in Vanity Fair

Bighorn in Vanity Fair

We are delighted to be featured in this month’s Vanity Fair magazine. Their ‘Superchalets’ feature highlights the very best luxury chalets in the world. Bighorn is described as “The apex of chalet luxury in North America at the pinnacle of heliskiing”. Uniquely we offer the ultimate in accommodation and service alongside private heliskiing adventures in the Selkirk Mountains. The result is that this “thrashes the finest bespoke skiing in the world”.

Read the full article here.

Early Snow in Revelstoke

Early snow Revelstoke

Snow has been falling earlier than usual in Revelstoke and the top of the peaks are already covered white. This should set both Revelstoke Mountains Resort and our heli ski partners up for a great start to the season. The first week of the season is still available at Bighorn, so if you want to get first tracks this season we are open from December 14th.

The Selkirk Mountains are famed for their massive snowfall, averaging 12-18 meters per season. This year winter temperatures are forecast to be cooler than normal, which would make the powder snow especially light and dry. Perfect for tearing through the trees, cruising along a glacier and floating down a high alpine bowl!

Bighorn Nominated at the World Ski Awards

Bighorn at the World Ski Awards

We are delighted that Bighorn has been nominated as Canada’s Best Chalet at the World Ski Awards. The stunning accommodation, outstanding service, delicious food and of course world class heli and resort skiing sealed our nomination. With competition from properties in Whistler, Bighorn is really putting Revelstoke on the map. With North America’s highest vertical descent at Revelstoke Mountain Resort and epic heliskiing direct from the house helipad, Bighorn has the perfect blend of luxury and adventure.

You can vote at www.worldskiawards.com/nominees/canada

 

The Top 10 Ski Resorts in North America

Top ski resorts Revelstoke

Using a new formula to rate ski resorts, Snowbrains.com have named their Top 10 Ski Resorts in North America. Right up there is Revelstoke Mountain Resort, giving long-established resorts such as Whistler and Jackson Hole a run for their money.

Rankings have been created using the following formula:

Ranking = [Average Snowfall + Access to Challenging Terrain] x Radness Factor. We like it!

Revelstoke’s huge annual snowfall (480 inches at the top of Mount Mackenzie), massive inbounds terrain (3121 acres) and North America’s highest vertical descent (5620ft) mean it ranks up there as one of the best ski resorts in the continent. ”Man, this place is amazing.  I’d love to get back up here.  On a powder day, it seems like there’s nobody here and the terrain’s incredible.  I gotta get back.”  – Arne Backstrom, 2010 Overall FWT Champion.

Aside from the awesome resort skiing, what sets Revelstoke apart is access to millions of acres of world class heliskiing. The lucky guests at Bighorn can either ski the resort, or take to the skies from the private house helipad. Now that is rad.

When is the best time to go heli skiing?

Epic heliskiing at Bighorn RevelstokeRevelstoke offers unbelievable heliskiing from December to April, but which is the best month? There is no easy answer to that as snow conditions are never predictable, but whether you want thigh deep powder in the trees or sunny glacier skiing, Revelstoke has it all at various times in the season. Check out our monthly guide:

December:

Snow tends to start falling in October, so by December there is a solid base with plenty of fresh snow. December is a great month for powder skiing in the trees (click to see video). Visibility can be limited with stormy conditions, but our heli pilots can almost always access tree skiing at lower elevations.

January:

More fresh snow and intermittent storms mean the pow gets deep! Thigh high powder snow is not uncommon, especially in the trees where it is protected from the wind. The base is deep now, making for fun terrain features like powder pillows and small cliff jumps.

February:

Stormy conditions die down, but there is regular snowfall to keep conditions fresh. Towards the end of the month clearer skies and stable conditions mean we can access the high altitude terrain. Ski huge vertical starting on glaciers and alpine powder bowls and finishing in the trees at lower elevation.

March:

March brings spring-like conditions with longer days, more sunshine and  boot top to knee deep powder. Enjoy the spectacular high altitude skiing, plus the chance to enjoy blue skies and amazing scenery.

April:

The snow is still great at high elevations, with superb corn snow on lower sections. This season there has been 66cm of fresh snow in the last 7 days! With Easter falling late next year, Bighorn will be open for spring skiing until April 26th.

Five reasons to go heliskiing in Revelstoke

Spring heli skiing Revelstoke

For most of the winter heli skiers flock to Revelstoke to experience the deep powder snow conditions, but the spring season offers a different yet equally special experience. Here are 5 reasons why you should consider spring skiing:

1) Sun

Who doesn’t like skiing under a bluebird sky? The spectacular Selkirk and Monashee Mountains provide a stunning wilderness backdrop to your heli ski experience and they are best viewed in blazing sunshine. Catch a few rays when you take a break for a gourmet picnic lunch and don’t forget your camera.

2) Visibility

The snow storms that deliver dumps of snow in December and January are less frequent as the season progresses meaning skies tend to be clearer. Improved visibility allows heliskiers to access the high alpine terrain that is sometimes impossible for the heli to land in during midwinter. Discover high alpine powder bowls and glaciers – flattering skiing with incredible scenery in the background. You’ll feel on top of the world.

3) Longer days

Maximise your heli ski experience with longer day light hours. This not only allows you more vertical per day and a more flexible schedule, but also means you can enjoy sunset with a beer in hand from the Bighorn hot tub!

4) Spring snow

The Selkirk Mountains receive an average of 40-60ft of snow each season, meaning they are snow-sure until mid April. Warmer conditions in spring mean the snow is continuously frozen and thawed which makes it form large crystals called corn snow. These snowy granules make for smooth, soft and fast skiing – great fun for flying down a wilderness glacier on. Revelstoke’s extensive forests make for the best tree skiing in the world. In the spring the trees provide shade from the sun, preserving the snow late into the season.

5) Flexibility

The beauty of heli skiing is that your expert guides can take you to the best spots in their 500,000 acre terrain. This is never truer than with a private heliski charter from Bighorn, when you have exclusive use of the helicopter and your guide. So if you want to avoid south facing slopes, stay high or stick to the shady trees, the bespoke experience is designed to meet your needs.

Heli Ski in a Winter Wonderland

Private heli skiing Bighorn Lodge RevelstokeRenowned ski journalist Gabriella Le Breton shares her top picks for what is new and exciting on the slopes this season in a recent article for CampdenFB. Heliskiing at Bighorn is featured because it offers “unparalleled luxury”. The lodge has a private helipad which allows for a bespoke heliski package, either flying into the Selkirk Mountains for a heliski adventure or enjoying the exciting terrain at nearby Revelstoke Mountain Resort. The “palatial guest suites, a triple height great room with sweeping mountain views, celebrated chef, private cinema, outdoor hot tub and extensive spa” set Bighorn apart from any other lodge in North America.

CamdenFB focuses on family business so Bighorn, which was developed by brothers Michael and Chris Kirkland, is particularly relevant for readers. Read the full article on heliskiing at Bighorn here.