Driving - Spokane to Revelstoke ?

[Colorado_Freeskier]

Looking to pull the trigger on a cat trip with Mustang Powder but some in our group wants to save money by flying in to Spokane and driving. Just looking for some info from someone who has actually done the drive. How long will it take in the winter? Per google its 8 hours, however, I've seen other places state that it is about 6 hours. Any spots on the route that close frequently in the winter?

[Tri-Ungulate]

Depends on conditions, of course, esp as the roads aren't plowed north of the border. The road is 2-lane for much of the way, windy above deep lakes, not a place you'd want to slip off the road. Lots of places it could conceivably close, I'm guessing Salmo to Castlegar might be a choke point, or if you're going through Nelson, from there to Slocan. Then there's the border crossing and then there's the ferry, which you have to time correctly. It was semi-terrifying in a rental POS Chevy Cobalt. Nonetheless, I think I did it in about 6 each way. Best way is to stop midway in Nelson and chill, maybe do dome skiing at WW.

[Beaver]

If you pin it and know the road you can do it in 5 1/2 hours of driving, then there is the 1/2 hour ferry.If you don't know the road add an hour (seriously) if conditions are bad add another hour (seriously when its bad it really fucking bad & it's twisty). You'd be way better off flying to Calgary.

If you've got time you could start in Spokane & do a tour, Red, Wh2O, Revelstoke, Kicking horse, panorama, Kimberly, Fernie.

[Beaver]

, esp as the roads aren't plowed north of the border.

That makes me laugh. If they weren't plowed we'd have to shut down the country in the winter.

Don't go the way Google tells you. North of Spokane to Colville, then take Williams lake Rd. Then through Northport, Rossland, Castlegar, and up the Slocan Valley is quicker than the route they show.

[lingcod]

I live mostly in Spokane and do trips up to Revvy and all points in between all the time. Beaver's directions are spot on, and the point about not plowing roads in Canada is indeed bullshit. They actually do a better job than around here. I would figure, safely, 7 hours, cause if you miss the Nakusp ferry, you'll sit there for an hour. I think the Spokane to Revvy route is better than Calgary because there's a lot of beautiful, wild country in between Spo and Rev. You can make a nice loop on the northbound trip using Beaver's directions then come back southward via Nelson, BC and Metaline Falls, WA, or through Nelson then Bonners Ferry, ID down through Sandpoint, ID and on back to Spokane. Take time, ski Schweitzer, Red, Whitewater, Revelstoke, or the little Salmo ski area and the funky little one south of Nakusp. It's a different world between here and there. I never get tired of the trip. If you want more details, PM me, and we can talk. Have fun.

[Caucasian Asian]

Another thing to think about is the fact that Rogers Pass between Golden and Revelstoke is frequently closed in the winter due to avalanches/avy control/accidents.

If I wanted to fly+drive to Revy, I would fly into Kelowna and drive the 4 hours to Revy from there.

[el hefe]

I would fly into Kelowna and drive the 4 hours to Revy from there

4 hours? More like 2 and a bit. It takes 1 1/2 hrs from Vernon which is 30 minutes from the airport.

[Colorado_Freeskier]

Trigger pulled on 4 days at Mustang Powder at discounted, last minute rates. Owner says it is hammering up there today! Can't wait to ski on Tuesday.

[el hefe]

Silver star got 20cm's last night and the snow levels look like they are holding at 1200m which I don't think you will even get close to up there. Might be limited by avi conditions a bit but it will be soft.