Class of 2025 parades through downtown, p · 10. A river boxed in, p · 14.
Revelstoke’s guide to free summer activities, p · 20. Stoked Skate Camp returns with new organizer, p · 28.
ZONEDFORSHORTTERMRENTAL
Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine is a free monthly publication featuring the best of Revelstoke outdoor life, food, style, visitor experiences, lifestyles, entertainment, home style and healthy living.
We are an independent, locally owned publication dedicated to showcasing our amazing mountain town and the great people who create the stoke.
Each issue we distribute 2,000 copies to public venues across Revelstoke, including hotel rooms, shops, restaurants, cafes, community centres — everywhere people meet.
For all inquiries, please contact us at info@revelstokemountaineer.com
For more local news visit www.revelstokemountaineer.com
250 571 9525 info@revelstokemountaineer.com Discourse Community Publishing 213-1130 Sun Peaks Rd, Sun Peaks,B.C. V0E 5N0, Canada
COVER AND INSET PHOTO:
Steve Black, City of Revelstoke director of engineering looks over the newest logs added to the Illecillewaet River’s ever growing Box Canyon log jam. Photo by Lys Morton/Revelstoke Mountaineer
Introduction
PUBLISHER
Brandi Schier info@revelstokemountaineer.com
PARTNERSHIPS SPECIALIST
Justin Moore justin@revelstokemountaineer.com
EDITOR
Hollie Ferguson info@revelstokemountaineer.com
REPORTER
Lys Morton lys@revelstokemountaineer.com
EDITORIAL DESIGN/ADVERTISING DESIGN
Chris Payne chris@revelstokemountaineer.com
The rainy weather carried through July, but I don’t think it put too much of a damper on summer plans? Yes, the mosquitoes are fixing to carry some of us away. Still, recent announcements that the Stoked Skate Camp would be running seemed to help really kick the season off for some budding skateboarders and their parents. I got to chat with Benoit Pageau, the camp's newest organizer about taking on such a beloved staple activity for summer. We’ve also got some ideas about ways to enjoy summer in Revelstoke without breaking the bank, including the REVY.Live Outside concert series. When you’re done with your adventure of the day, I’ve got a round up of Revelstoke’s finest mocktails for you to try.
Don’t worry, there’s still lots of local news pieces in this issue as well! Including a feature I’ve been eyeing for a while about the current Box Canyon log jam just east of the city. I got to tour the site of the log jam with Steve Black, City of Revelstoke director of engineering, and we chatted about best and worst case scenarios in solving the growing jam. I also got to talk with fire chief Steven DeRousie about ways Revelstoke can keep ahead of misinformation during an emergency.
Next month is our arts issue. See you then,
- Lys Morton, community journalist
6 EVENTS
Find out what’s happening in and around Revelstoke this month in the events calendar. Don’t forget to contact Revelstoke Mountaineer to add your event in the newsletter and calendar.
8
CITY COUNCIL RECAP
Revelstoke city council focused on building projects, housing and public artwork.
9
COUNCIL GRAPPLES WITH MOBILE HOME PARK PROTECTIONS
Current and potential protections the focus of a Tuesday, June 24 city council meeting, with council wondering whether the city’s ‘no one displaced’ focus is enough.
10
REVELSTOKE SECONDARY SCHOOL’S CLASS OF 2025 PARADES THROUGH DOWNTOWN Graduates take part in a longstanding Revelstoke tradition, cheered on by community members lining the streets.
11
HOW TO WEED OUT HIMALAYAN BALSAM
Here’s how to keep the invasive Himalayan Balsam at bay – and why it’s so important.
12
THANKSGIVING BACK BRINGS IN ‘VALUE ALIGNED’ TOURISM
Tourism Revelstoke’s September visitor offer partners tourists with local non-profits for a weekend of volunteering.
14
A RIVER BOXED IN: HOW THE BOX CANYON LOG JAM CAME TO BE –AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT
The Box Canyon log jam ‘is something we aren’t playing with,’ director of engineering says.
16
COMMON ROOTS GROUP DIGS INTO FOOD COMMONS PROJECT
The summer youth program brings together Indigenous Friendship Society of Revelstoke, Local Food Initiative, Canada Service Corps and VIDEA in the latest partnership.
18
CELEBRATING THE REVELSTOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Even after being named the fastest growing B.C. chamber of commerce, Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce keeps its sights on the community.
20
REVELSTOKE’S GUIDE TO FREE SUMMER ACTIVITIES
A good time in Revelstoke doesn’t have to stress the finances. Here’s some free things to do this summer in and around town.
22
HOW REVELSTOKE FIRE RESCUE IS COUNTERING MISINFORMATION DURING WILDFIRE SEASON
Fostering community trust in local and provincial emergency channels key to keeping misconceptions from sparking panic, fire chief says.
26
A TASTE OF REVELSTOKE’S MOCKTAIL MAGIC
The Mountaineer tries out some of Revelstoke’s mocktails to give you the scoop for your next evening out.
28
STOKED SKATE CAMP RETURNS WITH NEW ORGANIZER
The beloved youth skateboard camp for all skill levels returns.
30
PUZZLES
Check your answers for last month’s puzzles and try your hand at August’s crossword and sudoku.
AUGUST 2025 CALENDAR
AUGUST EVENTS
FRIDAY, AUG. 1
HERITAGE CEMETERY TOURS
Mountain View Cemetery, Highway 23 North, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Learn the stories of some of Revelstoke’s earliest occupants with a tour of the Heritage Cemetery. All ages are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult and mature content is discussed during portions of the tour. Ticket price includes museum admission, which can be used before or after the tour. Tours also held Wednesday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 29 at 11 a.m.
FRIDAY, AUG. 1 TO SUNDAY, AUG. 31
REVY.LIVE OUTSIDE
Grizzly Plaza, 111 MacKenzie Ave., and Queen Elizabeth Park, 219 9 St. East, 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Enjoy a free concert every evening, hosted by Arts Revelstoke. From Blues to Latin to Punk there’s a concert for everyone. Check out the entire lineup and location on the Arts Revelstoke website.
FRIDAY, AUG. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
SUMMER FRIDAYS AT THE PLAZA
Mackenzie Village Plaza, 1701 Coursier Ave., 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of live music, local eats, face painting and some late night shopping every Friday in July and August at the Mackenzie Village Plaza.
SATURDAY, AUG. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
LFI SUMMER MARKET
Revelstoke downtown, First Street East, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Bring your reusable bags and enjoy the Revelstoke Local Food Initiative summer market, held every Saturday on First Street. Enjoy a range of homemade gifts, local produce and more.
SATURDAY, AUG. 2
REVELSTOKE PARKRUN
Kovach Park, 1000 Edward St., 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Come by Kovach Park and try out the Revelstoke Parkrun, hosted every Saturday. All levels of runners welcome, your only competition is your last score. Free to attend, pre-registration through the website is required to receive a score.
SUNDAY, AUG. 3
GUIDED WILDFLOWER HIKE
Revelstoke Mountain Resort, 2950 Camozzi Rd., 9:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Sarah Snowsell, Association of Canadian Mountain Guides hiking guide and former olympian invites you to tour Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s alpine trails and learn about the wildflowers that bloom throughout the Selkirk Mountains.
MONDAY, AUG. 4
REVELSTOKE MEN'S NIGHT
Mountain Archives, 113 First St. West, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
A group dedicated to providing men with a space to build support networks, friendships and community. The goal is to reduce men's loneliness and build healthy communities. Free to attend, 18+.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 6
ARTIST TALK WITH BRUNO LONG
Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, 320 Wilson St., 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Join local photographer and visual storyteller Bruno Long for an Artist Talk at the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre. Learn about his creative process, stories from the field and more.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 6
BUILD FOR PALESTINE
Corner of Oscar Street & Leach Street, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Join Humanity in Revelstoke to rebuild a community vigil for Palestine. Art and writing materials will be available but feel free to bring your own supplies. Free to attend, all ages welcome.
THURSDAY, AUG. 7, 14, 21, 28
DOWNTOWN WALKING TOUR
Revelstoke Museum & Archives, 315 First St. West, 11 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Explore Revelstoke’s downtown with a historical lens and learn the stories around Revelstoke’s iconic buildings. Tours start at the museum every Thursday, tickets are $10. Dress for the weather, tours can be canceled due to extreme conditions.
THURSDAY, AUG. 7
BATS WITH PARKS CANADA
Revelstoke library, 600 Campbell Ave., 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Children ages 7 to 12 years old are invited to join Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks staff to discover more fascinating facts about this endangered species and participate in fun activities. Free to attend.
FRIDAY, AUG. 8
POETRY IN THE GALLERY
Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre main gallery, 320 Wilson St., 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Poets of all levels and all ages are welcome to share their work or read a beloved poem at this free evening of poetry. Even if you want to listen and enjoy the company of others who love poetry, bring a cup of tea and relax in the cozy gallery atmosphere. The last 45 minutes of the evening will be reserved for adult content and some material may not be suitable for younger audiences.
SATURDAY, AUG. 9
LFI MIDSUMMER NIGHTS GREEN FARM TO TABLE DINNER
Terra Firma Farms, 1315 Highway 23, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Enjoy a four course farm-to-table dinner in the fields at Terra Firma and a night of live music, dancing and farm tours at Local Food Initiative’s signature fundraising event of the summer. Tickets available at www.revelstokelocalfood.com/
SATURDAY, AUG. 9 AND
SUNDAY, AUG. 10
COLUMBIA BASIN CULTURE TOURS
Multiple locations and hours
Explore the studios, museums, art galleries and heritage sites throughout the Columbia Basin and celebrate the creativity and heritage of the region. Revelstoke stops include Big Eddy Glass Works, Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, Revelstoke Railway Museum, The Local Art Co-op, Art Alleries stops around town and Alpine Echo Gallery. For more information visit www. wkartscouncil.com/culture-tour/
Enjoy a local dining experience like no other with the LFI Midsummer Nights Green Farm to Table dinner Saturday, Aug. 9. Photo by Juniper Ridge Photography
SUNDAY, AUG. 10, 17, 31
YOGA IN THE ALPINE
Revelstoke Mountain Resort, 2950 Camozzi Rd., 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Join in on the Alpine Yoga sessions at the top of the Revelation Gondola on the view deck. All levels of yoga skills are welcomed to enjoy movement in the outdoors.
SUNDAY, AUG. 10
SILENT BOOK CLUB
The Sound Cellar, 101 First St. West, in the alley, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Bring your current read and curl up in The Sound Cellar lounge for an evening of relaxed reading among other book fans, hosted by Fable Book Parlour. No need to discuss the existential themes in your book, no need to try and answer what the narrative thread is. Just some dedicated reading time and maybe some friendly chatter later on. Open to ages 16 and up, free to attend, bring a blanket and some reading socks for extra coziness. Check Fable Book Parlour’s Instagram for up to date location information.
FRIDAY, AUG 15 TO SUNDAY, AUG. 17
REVY PADDLE FEST
Industrial Park, Powerhouse Road, see event website for event times A unique, three-day family friendly celebration of paddle sports, music and movement hosted by the Revelstoke Paddlesport Association. Visit paddlerevelstoke.ca for more information.
THURSDAY, AUG. 21
THE POLLINATORS FILM SCREENING
Revelstoke Community and Aquatic Centre, 600 Campbell Ave., 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Celebrate World Bee Day (Aug. 16) and support Revelstoke Local Food Initiative with a screening of the documentary The Pollinators, following migratory beekeepers as they support bee populations. All ages welcome, entry by donation. Contact info@revelstokelocalfood. com to RSVP.
FRIDAY, AUG. 27
COLOUR YOUR SUMMER MAGIC SHOW
Revelstoke library, 600 Campbell Ave., 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Award-winning magician Leif David will wow all ages with an action-packed comedy magic show. Watch Leif make objects change colour and camouflage with a range of spellbinding tricks. Free to attend, all ages welcome.
SUNDAY, AUG. 31
FINAL GALLERY DAY FOR CURRENT EXHIBIT
Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre, 320 Wilson St., 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
It’s the final day to check out artists Bernhard Ortner, Ken Lumbis, Revelstoke’s very own Bruno Long and Suzanne Cooper at the Revelstoke Visual Arts Centre. Drop by and take in the works of sculpture and print.
SUNDAY, AUG. 31
PEAKS LODGE RIB FEST
Peaks Lodge, 1071 Pine Rd.,
3 p.m. – 10 p.m.
It’s time to settle who has the best ribs in Revelstoke, and Peaks Lodge is looking to pit top chefs, restaurant racks and backyard smokers against each other. Enjoy the competition and some live music with local band Pickle Juice. Contact info@peakslodge.com to register for the competition.
Catch award-winning magician Leif David at the Revelstoke library Friday, Aug. 27. Photo provided by Leif David/Instagram
CITY COUNCIL RECAP
REVELSTOKE CITY COUNCIL FOCUSED ON BUILDING PROJECTS, HOUSING AND PUBLIC ARTWORK.
By Lys Morton
Developers gain grace period before new development costs roll out
In an effort to give staff and developers more time to familiarize themselves with how new development costs are structured, council voted to adopt the new development cost bylaw with a 30-day grace period before the bylaw takes effect.
“What that will do is give some time for applicants to get their ducks in a row, give some time for staff as well to make sure that our staff are trained on the new bylaw since it’s a different way that we are calculating DCCs now, and notify the public a little bit more in advance,” said director of development services, Paul Simon.
Applications submitted to the city before June 24, 2025 have one year to get all associated permits approved under the previous DCC calculations. The grace period will allow applications submitted and issued by July 31, 2025 to also be granted that one-year window for old DCC costs. Applications issued after July 31, 2025 will be subjected to new DCC rates.
Part of the reason for staff proposing the grace period was due to quick provincial turn around on approving the proposed DCC changes, with staff expecting at least two months. With the province approving the changes just over a month after being submitted, cost guides, public communications and other staff projects are still
in the works.
Council voted unanimously to adopt the new DCC bylaw and to give a one month grace period for current and future applicants.
Revy Own Home Ownership project aims for 2029 occupancy
Community Futures is aiming to get shovels in the ground on its first building by 2027 through the Revy Own Home Ownership project, Kevin Dorrius, Community Futures general manager shared.
The Revy Own Home Ownership project focuses on local policies, partnerships and criteria that could foster more home ownership for local current and retired workforce and their families. Part of that includes working with the City of Revelstoke and Revelstoke Community Housing Society to create a housing framework.
This includes partnering with local organizations to support residents seeking home ownership, including developing lending opportunities with the Cascadia Credit Union Revelstoke team (formerly Revelstoke Credit Union).
“I would like to have, when we’re all set to roll out, a mortgage product that is ready to go, that has been well thought out,” Dorrius told council.
Habitat for Humanity is another goal partner
for Community Futures and that connection is nearing official announcement.
“There’s some great synergies between us and them,” Dorrius said, adding a Memorandum of Understanding will soon be announced between the two organizations, providing Community Futures with the range of experience and relationships Habitat For Humanity has built to aid in developing housing.
As partnerships are finalized, Community Futures is mapping out timelines for when project plans and financials will be finished and when construction could begin on the first building on Basford Drive.
“These dates are meant to be conservative,” Dorrious said. “If we can beat these date targets, great.”
But Dorrious has learned that a project this interconnected takes time and is expecting first occupants to finally take ownership by 2029, over a decade past when the project initially started forming. For now, Community Futures will put attention into communicating with the public. The organization is launching a wait list application and will survey potential buyers to assess need and current purchase readiness, and Dorrious wants to eliminate any blind spots Community Futures might have on future clients.
Even with potential fluctuations in the housing market over the coming years, Dorrious doesn’t see the need for the Revy Own Home Ownership project dropping anytime soon.
“I don’t think [housing market turbulence] actually changes the reality for the target buyers that we’re looking at,” Dorrious said, adding that the project could help the overall housing market in Revelstoke by providing more residents with the chance to build equity and eventually transition to the mainstream real estate market.
When asked by Coun. Austin Luciow if the planned builds will include auxiliary units for owners to use as short-term rental properties as a way to participate in Revelstoke’s tourism economy, Dorrious said feedback from other communities working on home ownership projects such as Whistler have warned against mixing the two products.
“As soon as you start to throw the rental side of things into it then it also creates some unanticipated problems.”
New artwork gets the green light
Revelstoke will soon be getting a new Art Allery piece and a mural addition to Revelstoke Museum and Archives’ Heritage Garden.
Taryn Walker, in collaboration with her father David Walker, will be creating three eight-by-eight mural panels to span along the wall of Cantina del Centro, expanding the Art Allery footprint in Revelstoke and adding the first new piece to the collective art installation since 2022. The piece will be revealed during LUNA Fest 2025.
“It’s kind of nice to see art stretching out into different parts of the community,” Mayor Gary Sulz said.
As a means to enhance the overall aesthetic of the Heritage Garden and better visually align the museum building with the garden, Revelstoke Museum and Archives has commissioned artist Antonia Otoya to create a mural on the concrete wall facing the garden.
Council voted unanimously in favour of both murals.
Revelstoke city council. Photo by Keri Knapp/Keri Knapp Photography
COUNCIL GRAPPLES WITH MOBILE HOME PARK PROTECTIONS
CURRENT AND POTENTIAL PROTECTIONS
THE FOCUS OF A TUESDAY, JUNE 24 CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
By Lys Morton
Following concerns from Revelstoke residents, of which roughly 13 per cent reside in mobile home parks, Coun. Aaron Orlando submitted a motion to rework the Mobile Home Park Redevelopment Policy.
Orlando sought to include stronger compensation guarantees and other protections for residents in Revelstoke’s 18 mobile home parks, as well as a report exploring all probable implications of the proposed amendments.
“We’ve heard that residents are being blocked from transferring leases when [mobile home park owners] sell their property,” Orlando said. “I’ve heard stories of eviction concerns. The concern is that… having a redevelopment policy is incentivising some of the motivations for these situations.”
The motion included resources from Mission, Langley and Kelowna outlining current policies and tenant protection guides.
“The goal really is just to ensure fair treatment for all residents before and during a redevelopment proposal,” Orlando said, adding his intention was not for staff to develop an entirely new policy but build on the one currently in place.
According to director of development services Paul Simon, developing a report would delay work on Revelstoke’s short-term rental strategies, application processing timelines and the Bill 16 affordable housing zoning density project due to the need for external input from legal and legislative reviews.
Mayor Gary Sulz and Coun. Tim Palmer raised concerns that the proposed motion was focusing on issues outside of municipal jurisdiction and external resources would need to be brought in, adding costs to the staff project.
Instead, Palmer nodded to advocacy work council and staff could do to push for provincial protections around mobile home parks, including future motions at Southern Interior Local Government Association and Union of B.C. Municipalities.
“I think that’s really where we have some ability to influence provincial policy in understanding where other communities have come, where the concerns are,” Palmer said.
Coun. Lee Devlin also voiced concerns that the motion was trying to fix a policy that so far had not shown any weaknesses, spending taxpayer money and delaying other key projects.
“We have yet to see that policy be tested, we have yet to see any gaps in that policy. If we do see that policy tested and I do see gaps in that policy, I’ll be the first one to support strengthening the policy, re-examining the policy,” Devlin said.
When asked if the city could put a moratorium on redeveloping mobile home parks going forward, Simon explained the city could change the current policy to state it would not be supportive of rezoning, limiting what redevelopments could take place.
“Will that create unintended consequences? Potentially,” Simon said. “What those consequences are from an owner’s perspective, we’d have to unpack that a little bit more.”
He clarified that Revelstoke’s current Mobile Home Redevelopment Policy focuses on preventing displacement when examples from Langley and Mission worked on the premise that displacement would eventually happen.
Simon voiced concern about developing policies that created targets, such as stratification would encourage developers to hit those targets instead of working with residents and the city on more inclusive strategies.
“I’ll remind you, as council you guys are the final decision makers for any rezoning application. None of the mobile home parks that we currently have can be stratified without going through a rezoning process,” Simon said, adding the current policy legally binds developers to take all actions to keep residents from being displaced before rezoning is supported.
“If that can’t happen to the satisfaction of council, don’t expect there to be staff support for your application and don’t expect there to be council support,” Simon said.
The current policy could face its first major test, with both Coun. Matt Cherry and Orlando noting while no formal applications have been submitted, inquiries and redevelopment pre-planning for one mobile home park have been brought to the city.
“I want to consider getting to a simplified resolution that would simply ask staff to provide a preliminary report back about options to some of the concerns that we are hearing from residents,” Orlando said in response to council hesitation over approving the proposed motion. Orlando was the only council member to vote in favour of the motion, leaving it defeated.
Following a motion put forward by Sulz, staff updated council at a July 22 council meeting they are preparing amendments to the current Manufactured Home Parks policy to be presented at a Thursday, Sept. 11 Committee of the Whole meeting.
Revelstoke’s 18 mobile home parks were the focus of a June 24 city council meeting. Revelstoke Mountaineer file photo
REVELSTOKE SECONDARY SCHOOL’S CLASS OF 2025 PARADES THROUGH DOWNTOWN
GRADUATES TAKE PART IN A LONGSTANDING REVELSTOKE TRADITION, CHEERED ON BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS LINING THE STREETS.
By Lys Morton
June rains kept at bay just long enough for Revelstoke Secondary School’s Class of 2025 graduates to get a group photo at the Grizzly Plaza gazebo, and join the annual graduate parade back to the school.
The long-standing tradition gives Revelstoke the chance to come out and cheer on the graduates with fanfare and community spirit.
“The way Revelstoke embraces our graduates really is awesome,” Peter Nielsen, vice president of operations and general manager of Revelstoke Mountain Resort said.
Celebrating his second child to graduate from the high school, Nielsen said “there’s no shortage of what paths the Class of 2025 could take next in their lives.”
“Congrats to them all and enjoy a bit of summer,” he added.
Lia Morrow, one of this year’s graduates, has watched the school’s tradition for years, but her chance to walk the parade route herself came faster than she anticipated.
“All the stuff you’ve been seeing for years, all the hype, and you’re finally living it.”
Although the parade through Revelstoke’s downtown is for many a highlight of the local graduate tradition, for Morrow it was walking across the stage later on in the day, and the more personalized send-offs from school staff and parents for each Revelstoke Class of 2025 student.
“All of us getting to walk across the stage, getting handed your diploma, that’s going to be special.”
Standing on the steps of City Hall as graduates paraded past, Mayor Gary Sulz and city staff joined in the crowd’s applause for the Revelstoke Class of 2025.
“It’s wonderful to see all the hard work that they’ve done come to fruition,” Sulz commented during a June 24 council meeting.
Revelstoke Secondary School Class of 2025 graduates gather at Grizzly Plaza for the annual class photo. Photo by Lys Morton/Revelstoke Mountaineer
HOW TO WEED OUT HIMALAYAN BALSAM
HERE’S HOW TO KEEP THE INVASIVE HIMALAYAN BALSAM AT BAY – AND WHY IT’S SO IMPORTANT.
By Lys Morton
Himalayan Balsam was the focus of a Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS) Speed Weed event Thursday, July 10 along the Illecillewaet Greenbelt. Volunteers learned how to identify the tall, tubular stalk and bright pink flowers signature of the plant before heading out to a section of the Greenbelt that CSISS has been working on.
Unlike other invasive plant species that can then become high fire risks such as Scotch Broom, Jesse Booth, CSISS communications and engagement manager explained Himalayan Balsam can aggressively choke out native plants.
“It impacts things like the Western Painted Turtles and other local animals, plants that would normally be in those places,” she said. “They form these almost impenetrable sort of populations.”
Himalayan Balsam frequently grows in tight clusters, a feature that is one of the plant’s greatest threats to local ecosystems, choking out other flora and
fauna, but it’s a feature that also makes the plant easy to weed, with people able to remove a lot from a small area. Grabbing the balsam anywhere on the stalk and giving a pull will easily unroot a majority of the plant which can then be bagged and disposed of.
“We feel like we have a good chance of getting on top of it before it becomes impossible to deal with,” Booth said, explaining that three consecutive years of pulling Himalayan Balsam specifically from along the Greenbelt is providing tangible results.
Composting or burning pulled plants is not recommended as the humidity caused by composting could promote regrowth and high temperatures are needed to effectively kill the plant.
“We’re getting to it oftentimes before it seeds. It’s quite an easy plant to pull, and as long as we’re staying ahead of it before it seeds then we’re making this really good progress,” Booth said
With incredibly buoyant seed pods that can eject seeds up to seven meters away from the source pod, dealing with Himalayan Balsam when seed pods are abundant can cause more grief than help. Instead, CSISS recommends weeding the plant before seed pods are visible, pulling the plant straight out of the ground. If pulling it out entirely isn’t possible, removing the heads of the plant before it goes to seed can also keep spread from happening.
Residents and visitors can go out and hand weed Himalayan Balsam from public areas themselves as long as they can access proper disposal resources and get to the plants before they seed, and Booth encourages those interested in combating invasive species to join in on the various CSISS Speed Weed events to learn how to identify invasive species. Prizes are provided by local organizations and businesses for everyone who comes out.
“We're always super keen to share what we know with people and learn from others too. Because there's all sorts of different ways of looking at managing invasive plants,” Booth said.
You can learn more about invasive species in Revelstoke, how to identify and manage them and keep in the know about upcoming CSISS events through their website and social channels.
Bishop Carasquareo, CSISS program assistant holds up a freshly pulled Himalayan Balsam for volunteers to see at a recent Speed Weed event.
Photo by Lys Morton/Revelstoke Mountaineer
THANKSGIVING BACK BRINGS IN ‘VALUE ALIGNED’
TOURISM
TOURISM REVELSTOKE’S SEPTEMBER VISITOR OFFER PARTNERS TOURISTS WITH LOCAL NON-PROFITS FOR A WEEKEND OF VOLUNTEERING.
By Lys Morton
Thanksgiving Back is offering visitors a chance to connect with local organizations and put a few volunteer hours back into the community during their stay. Provincial, national and even international guests have the chance to experience a unique part of Revelstoke’s community.
“We’re really focused on attracting those value-aligned visitors,” Taniell Hamilton, Tourism Revelstoke destination and sustainability manager told Revelstoke Mountaineer
Launched in 2021, the program is part of Tourism Revelstoke’s travel offers and connects visitors with a range of local non-profit and volunteer opportunities. Running for three weekends in September, visitors can volunteer
with the Local Food Initiative, Community Connections, Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society, Arts Revelstoke and more. Eligible volunteers receive a maximum $400 reimbursement towards their accommodations while staying during their volunteer weekend.
The program is based on regenerative tourism, building off the concept of sustainable tourism. Instead of focusing on limiting the impact tourists can have on a region, regenerative tourism focuses on how tourists can positively impact the spaces they’re visiting.
“They can give back while they're traveling, but also to have a deeper, more connected experience while they're visiting Revelstoke,” Hamilton said.
While there have been criticisms in the past regarding the program only being available to those visiting from outside Revelstoke
and not offered to local residents, Hamilton pointed out that Revelstoke’s non-profits are grappling with resource needs that are outpacing community capacity. Outsourcing volunteering to those visiting town and eager to give back is one way to add to the resource pool.
“Our community is really good at turning out and showing up when asked. I think where the challenge lies is that we have so many nonprofits that it's hard to be able to fulfill the needs for all of them. That's a lot of volunteer demand.”
Oftentimes Thanksgiving Back volunteers are also helping maintain many of the resources tourists explore such as mountain biking trails, local museums, snowmobile runs and more.
“Visitors and volunteers do get to reap the benefits of what those nonprofits are doing. So, this is another way of visitors also being able to give back during their experience and contribute,” Hamilton said.
Thanksgiving Back volunteers must submit records of their spending during their visit, providing Tourism Revelstoke with data on how the program is supporting other organizations and businesses in town.
In 2024 the Thanksgiving Back program brought in an estimated $34,000 for local restaurants, coffee shops and other local businesses during what is oftentimes a quieter part of the year.
Volunteers have 72 hours after registering for Thanksgiving Back to submit proof of their accommodations booking to receive up to $400 reimbursed from Tourism Revelstoke. Hamilton encourages visitors to book directly with the accommodation so businesses don’t lose out on fees from booking sites, a push that is seeing results with 100 per cent of bookings made last year directly to local hotels and accommodations.
Visitors interested in learning more about Thanksgiving Back and registering for an event can check out the See Revelstoke website.
Thanksgiving Back 2023 volunteers celebrate a job well done with the Revy Riders Dirtbike Club.
Photo by James Buckle
YOUR HOMEBASE FOR BIG LINES & GOOD TIMES
APPROX. 2,400 SQ FT 2 BED | 1 BATH | FLEX ROOM RESIDENTIAL + COMMERCIAL BAY ZONED FOR SHORT-TERM RENTALS BUY POWERHOUSE ROAD
Nestled at the base of the mountains in the heart of Revelstoke, this exciting new development offers a rare opportunity to own in a location that puts winter adventure at your doorstep. Just minutes from world-class skiing at Revelstoke Mountain Resort and steps from serene snowshoe and Nordic trails, Powerhouse Road is perfectly positioned for life on snow.
Whether you’re chasing powder days, soaking in the après scene, or building your dream basecamp for the season, these properties offer the flexibility, comfort, and community feel you’re looking for. With modern design, smart layouts, and proximity to downtown, this development is ideal for winter-loving families, seasonal homeowners, and remote workers looking to trade city life for mountain air.
A RIVER BOXED IN: HOW THE BOX CANYON LOG JAM CAME TO BE – AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT
THE BOX CANYON LOG JAM ‘IS SOMETHING
DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING SAYS.
By Lys Morton
The Illecillewaet River’s current Box Canyon log jam is the upstream threat in the back of many people’s minds since the first logs snared up the river in 2014.
There’s a long history of jams at that point in the river, less than five kilometres upstream from where the Illecillewaet drains into the Columbia River, due to the narrowing of the rock face in Box Canyon. Growing over the course of a decade, the current blockage presents a number of problems for Revelstoke, from recreation to infrastructure concerns.
Box Canyon was at one point a whitewater rafting and kayaking spot with growing interest. Now the blockade forces paddlers to portage upstream and walk along the banks. Interactions between paddlers and Canadian Pacific Kansas City have occurred in the past over the tracks that run alongside the river, but any travel along or near the railway tracks is strongly discouraged by both Revelstoke Paddling Association and experienced local paddlers.
Concerns over the threat of a sudden release of the Box Canyon log jam were voiced by the community when a traffic accident closed down the Fourth Street bridge, the only access point connecting Queen Victoria hospital, the Arrow Heights neighbourhood, Revelstoke Airport and Revelstoke Mountain Resort to the rest of the city.
Steve Black, City of Revelstoke’s director of engineering and public works has kept his eye on the log jam since joining the city in late 2019. He’s
WE AREN’T PLAYING WITH,’
familiar with the scope of the blockage and how debris has shifted, sun bleached logs pushed back underwater by new pieces.
“This was one of the first things that came to my attention when I took the position,” Black said.
But with provincial waterway regulations and a majority of the debris coming from federal Crown land, finding a solution isn’t entirely cut and dry.
Referring to the roughly 50 metres by four metres of new material collected this past year as, “that small bit there,” Black illustrated just how large the blockage is.
Pointing to the front of the jam, which has crept up the Illecillewaet roughly 200 metres in the last four years, Black confirmed that the back of the blockage has not retreated that same amount, stretching the field of logs out over the river for a shocking length.
The threat of a natural solution
There is one force of nature helping things along, even if in the slightest: rotting logs breaking free from the back of the Box Canyon log jam and traveling downstream.
“It gets thinner in the back, for sure. Similar to some hairlines,” Black joked.
The rot and release of roughly 200 logs a day for the next three to four years with no major addition of debris upstream would be a natural “best-case scenario” to clear the block. But that solution is dependent on many variables with no way to safely
aid the release of rotting logs, along with the threat of river pressure eventually breaking through the remaining blockage.
The more probable natural solution to the Box Canyon log jam instead looks like a worst-case scenario, with a major flooding event more likely in Revelstoke’s future than the slow and steady release.
If excessive water flow raises the river high enough, it could bring the blockage up and over the narrowing rockface, sending decades of debris through Revelstoke’s Illecillewaet River dike system.
“All that pushes through, and then you end up with a lot of the debris on top of the water and tumbling at high speeds, most probably impacting the Fourth Street bridge,” Black said.
A report on potential flood risks in Revelstoke was conducted in 2022, supported by the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) through a $88,500 Community Emergency Preparedness Fund. In it, WSP Canada Inc. found the current dike system would withstand typical major flooding events, but a substantial release from the Box Canyon log jam could jeopardize that protection. While the dikes can handle slow releases such as those caused by log rot, there are too many variables to prepare for every situation.
“We've done a lot of really good work here on this system,” Black said. “But the consequences we don't quite understand, because we don't know how this is going to break.”
Steve Black, City of Revelstoke director of engineering looks over the newest logs added to the Illecillewaet River’s ever growing Box Canyon log jam.
Photo by Lys Morton/Revelstoke Mountaineer
A hot potato of responsibility
Black and city staff are exploring the option of manually clearing out the block piece-by-piece, yarding the freed logs to be picked up by businesses interested in the lumber or releasing the freed logs to float down into the Columbia River.
“It would be very expensive and very challenging,” Black said bluntly, explaining the location of the log jam within city limits gives other levels of government the opportunity to put the onus for a solution back on Revelstoke.
City staff and council have argued the municipality shouldn’t be entirely responsible for financially dealing with the blockade, with Evan Parliament stating at a Nov. 12, 2024 council meeting that the provincial government is responsible for waterways, and any major action the city takes to deal with the Box Canyon log jam would need approval from the province.
“If you want to do work on the river you need to apply for Section 11,” he explained.
The B.C. Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship received a Section 11 application from the City of Revelstoke on June 17, 2025 requesting to start work in and around the Illicillewat River.
“As the application relates to public safety, it is being prioritized,” Lee Toop, public affairs officer for the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship said in a written statement to Revelstoke Mountaineer.
“The review is proceeding on an expedited timeline to enable the scheduled works, while ensuring we deliver on key process steps such as technical review, agency referrals and consultation with First Nations.”
Previous conversations around what supports the city could access included asking at what point the federal government can step in to help.
“My understanding is that the Box Canyon log jam on the Illecillewaet River is a matter being worked out by the City of Revelstoke and Government of British Columbia,” Mel Arnold, MP for the Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies region and associate shadow minister for fisheries told Revelstoke Mountaineer in a written statement. “My office has not been contacted by any other level of government regarding this matter.”
Arnold acknowledged the log jam poses a risk and has been a point of concern for residents, City of Revelstoke’s staff and council and the provincial government. As the federal representative for Revelstoke and the area, Arnold said he’s ready to speak on behalf of city and provincial governments with federal departments if ever requested.
Whether or not Revelstoke receives major provincial and federal support for the current blockage, multiple stakeholders will need to work together on a more permanent solution, Black explained.
“It’s not a one-time deal, this is going to occur over and over again because of the box canyon here and the constraint in the rocks.”
One long-term solution could involve developing a debris basin further upstream that collects the logs before the river narrows, allowing them to be pulled out with logging equipment on a regular basis. But Black noted that solution would also threaten current fish migration patterns up and down the Illecillewaet and would need guidance and support from other levels of government.
“We don't want to damage the environment, and we don't want the environment to damage any of the city infrastructure,” Black said. “We want to do this with the support of the feds. Every year – every 10 years we're going to have to do this again and again until there is a permanent solution, which is going to require annual maintenance and annual expenditures that the city can’t solely take on.”
While Black doesn’t think multiple calls from constituents to Arnold and Columbia RiverRevelstoke MLA Scott MicInnis will help push things along any faster, he does encourage residents to keep tabs on the Box Canyon log jam with city council and staff.
“Keep connected with the city. Know that this is something we aren’t playing with. We are very focused on this.”
Revelstoke Mountaineer reached out to B.C.’s Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship and Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Scott MicInnis for comment. Neither were able to respond by publication.
The current Box Canyon log jam has done nothing but grow in the decade since it formed, with few logs breaking free.
Photo by Lys Morton/Revelstoke Mountaineer
Illecillewaet Canyon, also called Box Canyon, ca. 1917. Revelstoke Museum & Archives Collection, P-9360
COMMON ROOTS GROUP DIGS INTO FOOD COMMONS PROJECT
THE SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM BRINGS TOGETHER INDIGENOUS FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY OF REVELSTOKE, LOCAL FOOD INITIATIVE, CANADA SERVICE CORPS AND VIDEA IN THE LATEST PARTNERSHIP.
By Lys Morton
Common Roots, a summer youth group partnership between Indigenous Friendship Society of Revelstoke, Local Food Initiative, Canada Service Corps and VIDEA is helping shape Revelstoke’s Food Commons project while giving local youth a chance to voice their goals for future food security.
From setting up a new greenhouse to helping identify and clear out invasive species, participants have been working since June on a range of projects for the Food Commons.
“We want to engage local youth and bring them to this area to learn new skills, develop themselves with their independence and build their knowledge base,” Emma Gamson, VIDEA local youth coordinator said.
She and fellow coordinator Ruby Serrouya have been overseeing the Common Roots youth program over the summer, but the participants have been directing what projects they take on.
“People have had all sorts of ideas or passions or interests, which is inspiring for us as well,” Serrouya said. Ideas include developing mushroom logs, hydroponics and increasing accessibility throughout the Food Commons with projects such as raised garden beds.
Common Roots has hosted a combination of workshops with local experts, building projects and weeding events based on the interests of active volunteers. All have been opportunities for group members to build skills and connections that pave new opportunities.
“For the high school students who are just starting to enter the workforce, we can provide references, recommendations and things to put on their resume,” Gamson said.
For older volunteers, the Food Commons Project’s long list of organizations helping in one way or another is opening doors for future opportunities.
“We've been working with a lot of organizations around town, but we live in a small town, there's a limited supply of volunteers,” Gamson said. “We’ve been talking with others about how to provide opportunities in different spaces.”
The age range of the group may be large, with participants as young as 12 and as old as 30, but Serrouya explained various mentorships have formed over the summer, including high school students connecting with older volunteers to ask about university and career paths.
Common Roots youth program is scheduled to wrap up its summer session by September, but new members are welcome to join at any time. Those interested can reach out through the VIDEA Common Roots page or contact Gamson and Serrouya through the Common Roots Group Instagram.
Emma Gamson and Ruby Serrouya, VIDEA local youth coordinators for Revelstoke’s Common Roots Group.
Photo by Lys Morton/Revelstoke Mountaineer
CELEBRATING THE REVELSTOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
EVEN AFTER BEING NAMED THE FASTEST GROWING B.C. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, REVELSTOKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE KEEPS ITS SIGHTS ON THE COMMUNITY.
By Lys Morton
Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce (RCC) was named the fastest growing chamber of commerce in B.C., and the third fastest growing in all of Canada after a year of focusing on member accessibility, highlighting what the chamber offers and actioning what it has been hearing from the community.
Once she’d confirmed the news Caroline Lachapelle, CEO of RCC made sure her team stopped to take in the accomplishments and recognize the work they’d done.
“It's a privilege to be able to celebrate your wins when you're running so hard and your entire focus is on your community,” Lachapelle told Revelstoke Mountaineer.
Listening to all of Revelstoke’s business community
Lachapelle credits much of RCC’s success to prioritizing and learning from feedback provided by the business community.
“I think our collective approach of not being afraid to take in constructive criticism, or just straight-up criticism, and then doing something with it is why we are so successful at what we do.”
RCC gathers as much information on the community as possible through direct connections and events. Instead of trying to guess what Revelstoke businesses need, Lachapelle wants the word straight from sources.
“It's not my job to think about what the
community needs, it's my job to know what the community needs,” she said.
That data-leads-action mindset was at the heart of RCC’s latest project, the Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) survey, which gave businesses in Revelstoke a chance to share information about trends, barriers and resources they need.
“One thing that’s coming up a lot already is that businesses are stretched so thin in every possible way that they have given up on wanting to give feedback about their business because they feel that nothing's going to come from it,” Lachepelle said.
With that feedback, RCC is doubling down on advocating for local businesses at all levels of government, as well as hosting various events inviting government members to speak with
Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce team (L-R) Tess Hulburd, Joe Regan, Cachelle Nordby, Caroline Lachapelle and Layla Rundle.
Photo provided by the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce
community members to help bring real solutions.
Data from the BRE and other networking tools also help prove the balancing act the chamber is seeing around the city and within the organization.
Pain points such as housing, healthcare, affordability and more are not unique to Revelstoke. Instead, Lachapelle explained those core challenges manifest in different ways in each community. As Revelstoke continues to grow, RCC is working to forecast what strategies and resources are needed to keep from growth plateauing and inevitably crashing.
“Where is that crash moment? Are we starting to feel it right now? Are we going to feel it in 10 years? I don't know unless I have the information from the business community,” Lachapelle said.
Local, provincial and national allies
To help build resources and strategies for Revelstoke’s business community, RCC has nurtured connections across Canada.
Talking with other resort municipalities across the country, Lachapelle has a front-row seat to the multi-layered challenges echoed throughout smaller communities bringing in big crowds.
“It’s not only finding tourism staff, it's finding staff in general to be able to mobilize the resources that we need to grow our infrastructure at the same time as we're growing our tourism,” Lachapelle said.
Through connections, RCC has been able to provide other communities with successful strategies, such as inspiration for building collective business and visitor information centres or the relaunched member portal, as well as tapped into other chamber resources including staff.
To develop the BRE, RCC reached out to Tammy Verigin-Burk, executive director of the Castlegar Chamber of Commerce and asked her along as Revelstoke BRE lead. The collaboration helped RCC create groundwork that will assist in keeping metrics on business retention for the long term.
“We wanted to go with someone who knew what was the best course of action that we could have for our community. Understands how a remote, rural community functions.”
That secret sauce of reaching out and connecting with anyone who can give RCC just a little more insight, a couple new strategies, anything Lachapelle thinks can help Revelstoke is making an impact. Now RCC staff and board members are being invited to national conversations and events focused on Canada’s business ecosystem.
“Our chamber used to have to chase down members of government. And now they're coming to us and saying they're so proud of the work that we do that they want to share it with other people.”
Staying humble in celebration
When asked why RCC and so many other businesses and organizations in Revelstoke seem to be leading the way across a range of industries, Lachapelle brings it back to the very land Revelstoke is shaped by.
“You have this sense of being humbled by nature, people move here for that. And when you're humbled by nature on a regular daily basis, you're just constantly able to take that breath in wonder. It attracts the type of people who understand the importance of living in that moment on a regular basis.”
Keeping that humble wonder and keeping the stories that come along with a town like Revelstoke has been part of RCC’s focus in one way or another since 1895. It’s the core Lachapelle says will keep RCC sustainable for another 130 years.
“As we move forward with economic development, that sense of place that we have here in Revelstoke, and the stewardship to land needs to be kept as part of our vision. That's the meaning behind sustainable growth.”
• Revelstoke This Week lands in your inbox every Wednesday • Revelstoke City Council Minute is sent each Friday following council
REVELSTOKE’S GUIDE TO FREE SUMMER ACTIVITIES
A GOOD TIME IN REVELSTOKE DOESN’T HAVE TO STRESS THE FINANCES. HERE’S SOME FREE THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER IN AND AROUND TOWN.
By Lys Morton
With a seemingly endless amount of things to do in Revelstoke, high price adventures can be tempting – but experiencing Revy doesn’t have to break the bank. The Mountaineer chatted with a few local resources to learn more about fun on a budget this summer.
“We want to be supporting all of our members and our community, and part of that is keeping barriers to us as few as possible,” said Katie Munro, assistant community librarian for Okanagan Regional Library Revelstoke.
The library isn’t the only resource in town providing free events, activities and opportunities for Revelstoke and those visiting. Here’s a few to take advantage of this summer.
Catch a free concert
Arts Revelstoke’s REVY.Live Outside offers a summer of free concerts with something for everyone, from latin to country and everything in between. Running every night from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. until Saturday, Aug. 30 concerts are held at Grizzly Plaza and Queen Elizabeth Park, depending on the evening.
Enjoy the Revelstoke library
With a host of weekly clubs and events going on
throughout the year, including crafting, Spanish club and more, time at the library doesn’t have to be focused solely on books and studying.
Keep an eye on Revelstoke library’s social media and the ORL website, or swing by the library to chat with staff, to get the scoop on all upcoming events and classes. The team is always creating fun activities to help guests explore the town and the region.
“We have lots of free events always coming up. You don’t even need to have a library card, you can just register online," Munro said.
Acting not only as a hub of resources, activities and events, the Revelstoke Library also serves as an accessible cooling space to keep residents and visitors safe during high temperature events.
“We’re cool in both ways. Cool to check out and a good place to cool down in the summer,” Munro said.
The library is also working with other organizations in town to create even more free events and activities. A recent partnership with the Revelstoke Railway Museum has provided limited free passes for families and Munro said the museum is always eager to explore other opportunities.
Explore the Greenbelt trail
Winding alongside the Columbia River and offering various biking and walking trails, the Greenbelt trail is a constant hub of folks looking
to enjoy the outdoors close to town. With signage along the main trail sharing the history of the region, all thanks to work from the Revelstoke Museum and Archives, visitors can learn more about some of the forces that have shaped the region and Revelstoke.
Maintained throughout the seasons by the Illecillewaet Greenbelt Society, the Greenbelt trail provides a vital resource to residents and visitors alike. Walk, bike, roll along during the summer and bring your leashed pets to enjoy the adventure with you.
Go biking, go climbing
Thanks to the work of Revelstoke Cycling Association and Revelstoke Climbers Access Society, there are a host of free biking trails and climbing spots in and around Revelstoke.
The organizations rely on memberships, grants and donations to keep resources maintained and free for everyone to use.
You can find up-to-date information about all the biking trails around Revelstoke through the Trailforks website and app. For information on the local rock climbing areas and current conditions, check out The Crag website.
Swim at Martha Creek Park
Nothing will cool you down faster on a summer
Enjoy the beach at Martha Creek boat launch and explore Lake Revelstoke for free this summer.
Photo by Lys Morton/Revelstoke Mountaineer
indefinitely. Admission will remain free until the access lift is fixed.
Take a self-guided tour through the centre or join one of the various scheduled tours with an interpreter who can answer all your damming questions.
Visit National Parks
The federal government announced all national parks across Canada will be free entry until Tuesday, Sept. 2, providing the perfect time to go explore the national park right outside town. From biking trails to hiking opportunities, scenic picnic spots and access to the Meadows in the Sky parkway, you’d be hard-pressed to run out of things to do at Mount Revelstoke.
Travel 30 kilometres east out of town and you’ll
Chandace Rees and Debbie Beattie (L-R) enjoy Craft Connections at Okanagan Regional Library Revelstoke, one of the free clubs and activities offered. Photo by Lys Morton/Revelstoke Mountaineer
CHECK OUT THE MENU
HOW REVELSTOKE FIRE RESCUE IS COUNTERING MISINFORMATION DURING WILDFIRE SEASON
FOSTERING COMMUNITY TRUST IN LOCAL AND PROVINCIAL EMERGENCY CHANNELS KEY TO KEEPING MISCONCEPTIONS FROM SPARKING PANIC, FIRE CHIEF SAYS.
By Lys Morton
Revelstoke Fire Rescue Services (RFRS) is working to fortify community trust in all local emergency channels before Revelstoke has to use them.
At a May 29 Facing the Flames panel, Sean Coubrough, Columbia–Shuswap Regional District fire chief spoke about how misconceptions and misinformation hindered efforts to control wildfire and wildland urban interface fires during the 2023 wildfire season, and these insights are helping shape RFRS' strategies.
“I think it would be a fair game to say that we've known about the challenges with misconceptions,” RFRS fire chief Steven DeRousie said. “Where there's missing information, people will fill in the gap with something that they have picked up from somewhere.”
DeRousie has seen the same scenario play out in major wildfire events such as the Los Angeles fires and the Lāhainā, Maui fires.
The struggle is oftentimes there is a kernel of truth deeply wrapped within the misconception, he explains.
A frequent example is claims that firefighters and municipalities turn off water to neighbourhoods, hindering efforts to save the area. Water may be shut off in the case of neighbourhoods with no chance of saving, DeRousie explained, but these decisions play into the complex situations of fighting wildland urban
interface fires.
The mix of natural fuels and municipal infrastructure present different risks, fire behaviours and more. That leads to swift decisions about what to save and how to combat wildfire, oftentimes before information about the decision can be shared with the public in accessible ways.
DeRousie doesn’t expect residents to always understand each factor that goes into these decisions but hopes that community trust in RFRS and the Revelstoke Emergency Management team will help ensure folks the fire rescue is making the best decisions possible.
“I don’t take this lightly,” he said. “This is our community, these are our homes as well.”
Building community sources
Building trust and relationships with the community includes having an active social media presence, attending local events and working with other local organizations such as Revelstoke Library’s Touch a Truck event.
“Being able to give people information on a regular basis that is not a crisis, where they then have time to digest that information in a calm setting, that creates the expectation that they can use our page, our socials as a resource,” he explained.
In the game of “first to know,” DeRousie understands residents will turn to community voices already established to verify information before turning to official channels. Those established voices, such as local radio stations or public figures, could help or hinder RFRS’ efforts to get correct information out.
“The community has to work with the information that they’ve got,” DeRousie said, explaining that everyone should be comfortable checking government channels, the BC Wildfire app and website, Alertable and Emergency Info BC to stay informed about what actions to take and what threats are in the area.
Trust goes both ways, and DeRousie explained emergency services need to trust that their communities can handle complex information during emergency events.
“We have fear of causing fear, that excess fear causes panic, which causes problems and can make the situation worse. We do have to recognize that most people can handle it, so we have to tell them as much as we can in these events.”
Confidence in the community also extends to trusting that residents are aware of emergency alert apps, local emergency channels and evacuation plans.
“If we can tell people more information, more good information, without instilling fear then they'll be able to make better decisions and actually create a less serious situation.”
That includes information outside of emergencies, such as the Emergency Preparedness town hall and the Facing the Flames panel. At the event DeRousie stressed what residents need to expect during a wildfire event and how everyone within a community could prepare.
Originally worried his blunt remarks, “the reality is that not everything will survive a wildfire event,” would stir up more anxiety than action, DeRousie has heard appreciation from residents for his honesty.
“People appreciated the truth – the truth of the matter is there's some hard decisions that are going to have to be made. We're going to do our best, we sometimes will make mistakes. I think that's something that people should understand.”
Steven DeRousie, Revelstoke Fire Rescue Services fire chief says trust will need to go both ways when Revelstoke faces a large-scale emergency.
Photo by Lys Morton/Revelstoke Mountaineer
TOURISM TALKS
LEAVE NO TRACE THIS SUMMER
The Seven Principles
Revelstoke is no stranger to outdoor adventure Whether you're hiking in alpine meadows, biking our forest trails, or paddling glacier-fed lakes, one thing is clear how we show up in nature matters. You’ve probably heard the usual advice: don’t litter, don’t feed the wildlife But did you know there’s a full framework that helps guide responsible recreation? It’s called Leave No Trace, and it’s built on seven simple principles that make a big difference:
1 Plan Ahead and Prepare – Know the area, the rules, and the conditions A little prep can go a long way
2 Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces – Stick to trails and established sites to protect fragile ecosystems
3 Dispose of Waste Properly – Pack it in, pack it out yes, even your apple core and used TP
4 Leave What You Find – Rocks, flowers, artifacts take a photo, not a souvenir
5 Minimize Campfire Impacts – Use a stove, or keep fires small and within designated areas. Adhere to campfire bans.
6 Respect Wildlife – Watch from afar, don’t approach or feed animals
7 Be Considerate of Others – Share the trail, keep noise down, and lead by example
Thank You!
These principles are simple, but their impact is huge As we welcome visitors and locals alike to enjoy Revelstoke’s wild spaces, let’s also share the responsibility of keeping them protected After all, the best way to leave your mark is to leave no mark at all
Learn More
Head over to Leave No Trace Canada! It’s a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting outdoor ethics and the seven Leave No Trace principles with the goal of encouraging Canadians to enjoy the benefits of the outdoors while protecting Canada's natural and cultural heritage
read previous
A TASTE OF REVELSTOKE’S MOCKTAIL MAGIC
LYS TRIES OUT SOME OF REVELSTOKE’S MOCKTAILS TO GIVE YOU THE SCOOP FOR YOUR NEXT EVENING OUT.
By Lys Morton
In our latest instalment of #LysEats, we’re putting a focus on Revelstoke’s growing selection of mocktails for those looking for a crafted drink without alcohol as a star ingredient. All beverages consumed by Revelstoke Mountaineer staff were non-alcoholic and purchased by Revelstoke Mountaineer.
The mocktail industry shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon, and Revelstoke establishments are working to hone their own offerings. Whether it’s a case of sobriety, health concerns, acting as the designated driver or another one of the various reasons for not consuming alcohol, a mocktail provides one more element of an evening to experience.
“We don't want anyone to come in here, regardless of whether you want to drink or not and be left out,” Jesse Moore, Monashee Spirits bartender told
Revelstoke Mountaineer. Thanks to a growing group of distilleries perfecting the art of non-alcoholic spirits from triple secs to white rums to gins, mocktail options are expanding at a rapid rate.
So often I am the guy relegated to a can of pop while friends and family learn about the notes, science and care that went into their wines, spirits, beers and cocktails. Mocktails give folks the chance to enjoy the art and detail that goes into a cocktail.
As mocktail popularity grows and distilleries work to create zero-proof options, I, along with many others in the low or no-alcohol scene, now get to experience that neat feeling of gratitude when someone puts so much effort and thought into one single drink.
In this summer rendition of Lys Eats, I hit the streets to try out some of the mocktail offerings in Revelstoke and give others a jumping off point before the next evening out.
Monashee Spirits
Revelstoke’s award-winning craft distillery doesn’t shy away from putting the same care and creativity into its mocktails as the rest of its drinks. With the core goals of sourcing ingredients as locally as possible, matching elements across menu items to cut waste and keep it evolving with new creations, Monashee’s mocktail offerings don’t feel like an afterthought.
The School Night Spritz is a spin on the Italian drink that’s a cornerstone to pre-dinner socializing and evening snacks. Mixing non-alcoholic aperitif, raspberry oleo, soda water and a fresh lemon circle as a final garnish, Monashee’s take could pair well with some take-out from one of the local restaurants in town.
If you get a chance to watch the preparation of your spritz you’ll notice the thicker syrup that makes the oleo, possibly giving the impression that raspberry will be the flavour diva of the drink. Instead, a careful balance of fruity sweetness, a shade of bitter and crafty dryness keeps the mocktail from being too sweet and turns it into an easy sipper.
The MG&T (Monashee Gin and Tonic) uses Vancouver Island non-alcoholic distillery Lumette’s London Dry as the core of the mocktail, stirring in some grapefruit bitters, craft tonic water and a sprig of rosemary to finish off the drink. On the sweeter end of the spectrum, the MG&T is a nice introduction to mocktails if you’re used to nursing a soda for the evening. While the scent might make you brace for a sharper drink or even a bite at your first sip, you’ll instead end up focusing on the herby taste that settles at the top of the throat.
Monashee Spirits bartender Jesse Moore shows off the ingredients for current cocktails and mocktails to customers.
Photo by Lys Morton/Revelstoke Mountaineer
Quartermaster Eatery
Similar to a menu that shifts with the seasons, Quartermaster Eatery offers a rotating selection of mocktails. Come in with a flavour profile or drink in mind and the bartender will even work to make a mocktail just for you based on your request.
I got to try that out myself, reminiscing with bartender Cody Davis about a pink lemonade-style drink offered during the YETI Natural Selection 2025 Revelstoke stop. While he wasn’t able to entirely recreate the drink, I was served a grapefruit berry tea sugar mocktail. With a tea concentrate used as the main note and a syrup used as a bit of a stylish flair over the berry garnish, the drink was higher on the sweet scale than previous drinks, giving a quick rush that would probably get you back to touring around Revelstoke’s downtown for the evening.
Similar to some of the strong chai lattes in town, the ginger in Quartermaster’s Moscow Mule gives a bit of a punch to the back of the throat, nearly overshadowing the rest of the drink. But fans of a more refreshing ginger element instead of a more sugary subdued ginger will appreciate the freshness.
The star drink currently offered was a Chamomile Spritz. With the subtle flower tasting notes paired with a yuzu citrus base, it’s a drink that requires slow sipping as to not rush through the delicate profile, making it an easy companion to stretch out the night either in Quartermaster's main dining area or out on the patio for the summer evenings.
Old School Eatery
Maybe you’re looking for a stronger mocktail to pair with a heartier meal. While Old School Eatery’s mocktail menu might not be as robust as others in town, the flavours are bright and bold.
That might be to the detriment of the Mango Breeze with its mango juice, simple syrup, lime and mint elements all competing for attention. While the mango is able to take the mic for the first couple of sips, eventually the crushed mint and lime peel overwhelm things with a greenery taste instead of specific notes.
The Pink Pather doesn’t hide the fact that it’s going to be on the sweeter side, with a sugar rim and bright colouring. Even the lemon slices in the drink can’t quite temper down the sweetness, but instead adds a base to it. All around, the drink is perfect to get the energy going before heading out on your next adventure.
Old School Eatery’s Pink Panther mocktail. Photo by Lys Morton/Revelstoke Mountaineer
Quartermaster Eatery’s Moscow Mule mocktail. Photo by Lys Morton/Revelstoke Mountaineer
STOKED SKATE CAMP RETURNS WITH NEW ORGANIZER
THE
BELOVED
By Lys Morton
YOUTH SKATEBOARD CAMP FOR ALL SKILL LEVELS RETURNS.
Revelstoke’s beloved Stoked Skate Camp is back on after a bit of leadership limbo put the camp at risk of being cancelled for the summer. The camps run Monday, Aug. 11 to Friday, Aug. 15.
City of Revelstoke’s Park, Recreation and Culture announced Benoit Pageau as the new organizer of Stoked Skate Camp, the collection of week-long summer camps for youth ages seven to 14 that focuses on skills building, small group coaching and a host of skate focused games and activities. The camp has been a staple of Revelstoke summers since its inception.
Stoked Skate Camp founder Adrian Giacca wanted to try and run the camp from a distance in Ontario, using the opportunity to train up one of the other coaches to eventually take on leadership. But other commitments kept that plan from taking off and Stoked Skate Camp hung in limbo for 2025. Between seasonal work and with a newborn making longer schedules a little harder, Pageau toyed with the idea of taking the helm.
“People were really bummed, kids were sad,” Pageau told Revelstoke Mountaineer. “That’s part of what drove me to say, ‘I’ll do it.’ Because this has to go on.”
After hearing concerns from the community that there would be no skate camp, Pageau reached out to Giacca to see if he could take on the mantle.
“It allows me to pass on this passion for a sport that I've been doing for a very
long time and that I really enjoyed and shaped who I am today,” Pageau said.
Growing up in Montréal, skateboarding was just as much a means of transportation as it was a recreational activity for Pageau. Picking up the sport around age nine, the same age many camp participants start, he learned skateboarding by watching more experienced boarders and spending long hours at his local skate park. Stake camps now provide a whole new experience to learn and grow community.
“To have a bit of structure and someone to coach you through some of the learnings in skateboarding that aren't talked about as much, like how resilient it makes you, how much of a creative outlet it can be and how it teaches you that falling and getting up is part of life."
Only two camps will be held this summer, but that’s just a small blip in Stoked Skate Camp’s run. A wider roster of skate camps will return next year with a little more planning and preparation. Still, Pageau wants to make sure the camps this summer celebrate the legacy of youth skateboarding Giacca created over the years.
“Next year I’ll be putting a bit more of my own spin on it. We’re two different skateboarders with two different backgrounds,” Pageau said.
Registration is open for the upcoming camp at $425 per participant. For more information and to register, head to the City of Revelstoke Parks, Recreation and Culture Department page.
Join local coaches and youth skaters at Stoked Skate Camp, hosted at Kovach Skate Park.
Photo provided by Stoked Skate Camp/Facebook
B is For Baby
B is For Baby
50
67 Absorb, as gravy 68 Half of Cdn. postal codes
7 Challenge to ___ (fight like a knight)
8 Doesn't have a ___ stand on
9 "... one and ___ ..." (band leader's count)
10 Willy Wonka's creator Roald 11 Calculator of height and length, e.g. 12 Bad beginning? 13 "The Wasteland" poet's initials 19 Redblack's Ontarian foe, for short
21 Cake decorator's tool
24 "Animal Farm" penner
25 Science Guy Bill, et al.
27 There are three in goggles
28 Rip off, in politically incorrect slang
31 Lug like a sack of spuds
32 Reform Party co-founder Manning 34 Shoreline recession
35 Uno + due
36 Part of the U.S.S.R.: Abbr. 38 Babysitter's challenge
by Barbara Olson
39 "What'cha knowin'" addressee in "Feelin' Groovy"
40 Bills featuring Viola Desmond
41 Goldsmith's units: Abbr.
44 Irving Bacheller's "___ Holden"
46 Classy cravat clasp
47 Surround in a saintly glow
48 Past tense 2-pointers in Scrabble
51 ___ the hills (aged)
52 "Star Wars" home of Jar Jar Binks
53 Take by force
55 Mass agreement
56 Opposite of bueno
58 Say "pleeeease?"
59 Poem with "to a" in its title, often
60 Disco ___ of "The Simpsons"
61 Activate an iPhone icon
FRIDAY NIGHTS AT THE PLAZA
