Revelstoke (BC), Canada – The ski resort with North America’s highest vertical drop is enhancing its offerings this winter with lower mountain improvements, including the addition of a beginner area, a three lane tube park, new children’s facilities, and more lodging and dining in time for the tentative opening date for the 2011-12 ski season on Dec. 3.

A comprehensive beginner slope has been developed at Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s (RMR) mountain base, adjacent to the Revelation Gondola village station.  It provides a progressive pitch that will allow for technique advancement in a more controlled environment.  A beginner can gradually build their confidence by developing their skills on the progressive 5%, 10%, and 15% pitch variances.  Characters and other fun play features for children to ski and play around will be added to the area located less than 50 steps away from the snow school at the Revelstoke Outdoors Centre.

Three lanes of snow tubing will be available for both daytime and evening this winter.  Tube riders will channel back towards the new Magic Carpet base, making it easy to access their next tube run.  Installation of lighting will allow for evening operations which are planned through to 8 p.m. daily.  Single ride, hourly sessions, and tube park season passes will be available for both individuals and families, with an add-on option available for ski resort season  pass holders.

The brand new 175m Magic Carpet runs adjacent to the Revelation Gondola line, from the village station.   The new lift services both the beginner area and tube park.  This addition takes the RMR lift total to five and will provide all ages and abilities with easy, friendly access to both areas.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort is developing its plan to introduce snowmaking to the new Turtle Creek Beginner Area & Tube Park.  Over the next several years, RMR will be re-grading lower mountain slopes 2.5 degrees away from southern exposure to minimize melt/freeze cycles to extend quality skiing in both the early and late season.

Kids ROC  is being added this winter to Revelstoke Outdoors Centre in the form of a dedicated space for young snow school participants.  The new space allows for easy drop off and pick up for parents, facilitates instructor and student gathering, and provides a lunchtime space for children enrolled in full day programs.  Kids ROC will feature play structures including a ball pit with cargo netting above, mini-climbing wall, giant helicopter and snow cat TVs, as well as cubbies, tables, and washrooms – all kid-sized.  In the evenings, Kids ROC will host après activities on certain nights of the week and will also be available for private rental functions such as birthday parties. Movie, game, tubing, and other theme activity nights will take place weekly at Revelstoke Mountain Resort, through the new Kids ROC facility.  Dinner-included options will be available with health, fun, and activity as the program focus. In addition, child care for children 18 months through to 6 years old is planned at the resort with both daytime and in-room evening services available for visiting guests.

The third phase of the ski-in/ski-out Nelsen Lodge is currently being completed and will feature an eight story structure with full-amenity suites, providing an additional 107 units to the current 102 at Nelsen Lodge. Phase 3 will be connected to Phase 2 via an indoor connector bridge nicknamed the “Tub Tunnel,” while a tri-level underground heated parkade provides access to all Nelsen Lodge units.

New amenities at Nelsen Lodge include an outdoor, year-round pool, two additional hot tubs, and expanded fitness facilities.  Nestled between Phase 2 and 3 of Nelsen Lodge, a large pool deck surrounds an outdoor, year-round pool and two in-ground hot tubs.  Overlooking the pool deck is a fully equipped fitness facility complete with change rooms and showers.  These amenities are an addition to the existing luxury-sized hot tub and fitness facilities in Phase 1.

In the village, WINO: The Wine Bar will debut for its first season and provide a second après and dining option, in addition to the Rockford Wok | Bar | Grill.  The atmosphere in WINO will be what staffers are calling “alpine chic” with natural wood elements complimenting brushed silver and designer fabrics. Featured wines will include local selections with a variety of food-fair items to choose from.