INSIDE THE REVELSTOKE SNOWMOBILE CLUB WELCOME CENTER

Oct 22

Where Every Ride Begins: The Revelstoke Snowmobile Club Visitor Centre is more than a trailhead - it’s a hub of culture, camaraderie, and mountain legacy.

When you roll into Revelstoke with your sled loaded and the mountains calling, there’s one place that sets the tone before your tracks even hit the snow: the Revelstoke Snowmobile Club (RSC) Visitor Centre. Beyond selling trail passes, the Visitor Centre is where stories, camaraderie, and sledding tradition intersect - the true heartbeat of winter in this mountain town.

The RSC was founded in 1968, with Terry Fleming as the first president and Don Gillespie as vice-president. What started as a small group of passionate riders quickly became a driving force in shaping sled culture in British Columbia. In those early days, riders were exploring meadows, valleys, and logging roads on machines that would look like antiques today.

Just five years later, in 1973, the club hosted the BC Snowmobile Racing Championship, building an entire track just for the event. That same year, the original Boulder Mountain Cabin went up, a quirky little A-frame built five metres off the ground to withstand Revelstoke’s massive snowfalls.

Over the decades, RSC became about more than fun. In 1984, the club struck its first official management agreement with the provincial government to support mountain caribou conservation, with members like Tom Dickson and Ron LaRoy leading the charge. That stewardship mindset still defines the club today.

Walking into the Visitor Centre feels like stepping into the heart of sled culture. The walls hold stories: historic photos, memorabilia, and the quiet weight of more than five decades of sledding tradition.

Daily avalanche bulletins and trail updates are posted, but the real gold often comes in conversation. Staff and volunteers know which zones are holding the best snow, which areas to avoid, and they’re quick to share advice with a grin and a story or two. In a sport where conditions can change fast, that local knowledge is worth more than any app.

You’ll find fresh RSC hoodies, hats, and stickers tucked near the counter - souvenirs that feel less like merch and more like a badge of belonging.

If you’re lucky enough to time your trip with an event, you’ll see the RSC in full swing.

The Revelstoke Vintage Ride, held at the Boulder Cabin, mixes nostalgia with pure horsepower. Spectators turn up for drag races, polished sleds on display, and the unmistakable sound of vintage machines coming back to life.

On the Revelstoke Snowmobile Club Family Day, the club leans into its community roots. With trail fees waived for registered families, the event adds kids’ giveaways, avalanche demos, and hot chocolate to round out a day designed for all ages.

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photos: Revelstoke Snowmobile Club

Events like these remind you that while the terrain may be legendary, it’s the people who make Revelstoke’s sled scene so magnetic.

Back in town, the Revelstoke Visitor Information Centre offers another touchpoint, with local art, more RSC gear, and advice on where to stay, eat, or explore when the sled is parked. And just a short walk away, the Revelstoke Museum & Archives connects the dots, telling the larger story of how winter sports have shaped the identity of this mountain community for generations.

The Revelstoke Snowmobile Club Visitor Centre is more than a pit stop; it’s a portal. It connects past to present, tradition to innovation, and visiting riders to the community that has nurtured this sport for over fifty years. From high-mounted cabins to conservation efforts and family rides, the RSC has always been about more than the snow. This is where you plug into the culture, tap into hard-earned local knowledge, and feel like you’re part of something bigger than your own ride.