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Featured Destination

Like the view from an airplane, we looked down from the heights of Frisby Ridge on the Columbia River, cutting through its valley between the Monashee and Selkirka ranges near Revelstoke, B.C. Was it my imagination or could I actually spot the tiny red dot that was the roof of the rental shop at Glacier House Resort, far, far below? We’d completed another exhilarating day of mountain riding. Now it was late afternoon and time to head back. My weary bones were looking forward to a leisurely descent on the groomed access trail that switchbacked down the mountainside. Fat chance! Ride From Your Doorstep That morning, I’d awakened to a plentiful buffet breakfast, claimed my sledding outfit from the special dry room where it had aired overnight, and then headed off to my room to gear up. I’d taken the elevator down to the lobby and picked up my pre-ordered trail lunch, featuring a sandwich as thick as my fist. Then I‘d walked out the front door with my riding companions, hopped on that REV-XP and started our day’s ride up the freshly groomed Frisby access trail. That afternoon, we’d scooted back down fast as rabbits to see who could be first into the hot tub, drink in hand. And you know what? Nothing beats being able to ride to and from your doorstep. Although direct mountain access from your lodgings is rare in British Columbia, staying at Revelstoke’s Glacier House Resort means not having to load and trailer every day and that’s just one of its many advantages…This four star complex is dedicated to snowmobiling and strategically located just north of town at the base of Frisby Ridge, within sight of the main trailhead. What’s more, a connecting trail, dubbed “Streeter Street”, also provides snowmobile access to Boulder Mountain. Frisby and Boulder are Revelstoke’s premier and most popular riding areas, and that puts Glacier House smack dab in the middle of some of B.C.’s most exceptional mountain riding!An entrepreneur and promoter with a vision and the guts to fulfill it, Alex built his log lodge and chalets out of town to be closer to the real snowmobiling action. It’s also the headquarters for his Great Canadian Snowmobile Tours, the fully licenced operation that provides professional guides, guided tours, rental sleds and gear to visitors who come to ride the mountains. Together, they’re a one-stop shop with everything you need on site, including food, fuel, pub, pool, sauna, hot tub, massage, gift shop, coffee bar and sled repairs. Alex’s goal is to make mountain sledding a full service, turnkey, hassle-free, and memorable experience — and that’s exactly what he delivers. So whether you step off a plane in your street clothes or arrive with your own sleds and gear, count on warm hospitality, exceptional service, great value and topnotch adventure from Glacier House Resort! Award Winning Destination I’d met Alex at several of the many snowmobile shows he attends each year to promote Glacier House. His marketing materials and website are eye-catching and informative, so I suspected that the actual experience would be very rewarding. That’s why Snow Goer Canada Editor, Bob Island, and I made the trek from Toronto last April to see for ourselves. We flew into Kelowna and made the scenic drive to Revelstoke in less than three hours.Our six nights and five riding days impressed the hell out of us, because Alex and his wife, Lia, really take the whole mountain riding deal to the next level, with amazing attention to detail and anticipation of your every need. No wonder our companion guests included folks from places as diverse as the U.S., Alberta, Quebec, Sweden and even Italy! (see Faces sidebar) When they arrive, Revelstoke seals the deal. Start with its massive annual snowfall of 15 to 21 metres. Factor in rideable temperatures between 0º and 10º Celsius and riding elevations between 1,600 and 2,300 metres. Now spread that over at least seven prime riding areas, mostly within 20 kilometres of town. That’s snowmobiling in Revelstoke…climb high, ride far, play hard. Countless bowls to track, challenging slopes to highmark and deep powder to break. Huge areas of alpine, meadow and forest to explore. Plus lots of groomed and ungroomed trails to ride when the peaks are socked in. This variety — from family friendly to expert exciting, and everything in between — makes Revelstoke a great destination for every kind of rider, and an especially good choice for novices and families. I remember way back to my first mountain ride, not wanting to get in over my head, wanting it to be safe, secure and enjoyable — and not sure how to make that happen. At Glacier House, Alex and his crew tailor the entire experience so every guest has an exciting ride within their own capabilities, returning home with fond memories and a burning desire to try it again. Then there’s the indescribable scenery. Words like breathtaking and awesome don’t begin to do it justice. Photos can’t possibly capture the spectacle. But everywhere your eye scans, another stunning view overwhelms your senses. This panoramic overload leaves you feeling like an insignificant speck on a boundless masterpiece from Mother Nature. Some things you just have to see for yourself and getting up into the mountains in winter is one of them. Believe me, no lifetime of snowmobiling is complete without at least one mountain riding adventure, and Glacier House Resort is as close as it comes to a guaranteed good time.