Museums & Tours
Nestled in the heart of the Columbia River Valley between the Monashee and Selkirk mountains of British Columbia, Revelstoke has been a winter destination for over 100 years. Initially, the winter sport of choice was ski jumping and boasted the first ski-jump in North America, established in 1915. Today, Revelstoke offers year-round seasonal activities for visitors to the mountains.
Much has been written about “things to do” in Revelstoke and most of these articles involve a combination of outdoor activities (sometimes extreme!) such as hiking, biking, skiing and snowmobiling. Here you will find a list of our favourite accessible Revelstoke activities that offer a different way to engage with and learn about the local history and environment.
Revelstoke Museum & Archive
Located in the heart of downtown, the Revelstoke Museum and Archive is a great destination to learn more about the history and community of Revelstoke and the surrounding area. The Revelstoke Museum and Archive charges a nominal fee for entry and provides two stories of exhibits to guests. Of note is the Canadian Avalanche Archives, a comprehensive collection of avalanche research in Canada spanning decades, including how they were able to design the avalanche controls works for Rogers Pass. We are also big fans of all the archives about the historic, abandoned townsite Arrowhead, BC—the namesake of Arrowhead Lodge Revelstoke!
The Revelstoke Railway Museum
The Revelstoke Railway Museum showcases the historic construction and operation of the Canadian Pacific Railway in Western Canada’s mountain region and provides an understanding of how the railway played a pivotal role in the creation of modern-day Canada. It also provides kids with an opportunity to interact with trains, including a simulator and heritage railcar collection.
BC Interior Forestry Museum & Forest Discovery Centre
The BC Interior Forestry Museum & Forest Discovery Centre records, preserves, restores and displays artifacts and collections of historical, archaeological, artistic, educational, and scientific material as it pertains to the forestry industry of British Columbia. The museum is home to an impressive array of historic trucks, heavy machines, and tools that have been used in the forestry industry over the last century. Be sure to visit the nearby lookout with views across to Revelstoke Dam.
Revelstoke Dam Visitors Centre
While not technically a museum, the Revelstoke Dam tour is a must-see during the shoulder season. Many people who have visited Revelstoke have no idea this monumental dam is sitting just a few miles from town. The Revelstoke Dam is the most powerful of the three dams along the Columbia River, producing 7,500 gigawatt hours of power every year—enough to power the equivalent of 800,000 homes! Guests can join guided tours on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please ensure you visit the websites before planning a visit to any Revelstoke Museums to verify opening hours etc., We hope this article has inspired you to explore more of our what our amazing mountain town has to offer,