Future Trail Plans
The RCA manages over 100 km of trails around Revelstoke and counting. As Revelstoke grows in popularity for mountain biking, we are looking to expand our trail network to meet demand. Here’s a look at our future trail development plans:
Sunnyside, Phase 2
We submitted an application to Recreation Sites & Trails BC in February 2024 to build 3.4 km of new downhill trails on Sunnyside. These trails were laid out by Mark Wood, a very experience trail builder with Trail Holistics Inc. In January 2026, they were submitted to FrontCounter BC for the formal referral process. This process will take a few months. If approved, we will seek to begin construction as soon as possible.
Boulder Expansion
The construction of Sisyphus has led to explosive growth in ridership at Boulder. As a response, we hired Alpine Connections to lay out three new trails there in 2025. They created plans for two intermediate and one expert trails. We will submit an application to Recreation Sites & Trails BC for approval once our Sunnyside application is processed.
Macpherson Expansion
We have scouted new trails on Macpherson. This includes an upper-intermediate slab trail near Stimulus, an expert slab trail on Lower Macpherson, and several shorter connectors. We will work on these trails after our Boulder application moves forward.
How New Trails Are Built
Part of the RCA’s mission is to build sustainable trails that can be enjoyed for decades to come. Building official trails is a slow process that takes years of planning, fundraising, and construction. We must make a convincing case to the province that new trails are needed and we have the capacity to maintain them. All applications get referred to regional First Nations, local government, and other stakeholders.
Here’s a rough outline of the steps required to a build a new trail:
The RCA Trail Committee meets to look at member feedback and trail use data to decide where new trail development is needed. They decide which network needs a new trail, roughly where it should be built, and what style of trail it will be (tech, flow, beginner, intermediate, expert, adaptive, etc…).
The proposal is brought to the Board of Directors, who votes on funding for trail layout.
A professional trail designer is contracted to layout the trail and produce a report that can be used with the new trail application.
The trail plan is sent to various stakeholders for feedback, including First Nations, local governments, and logging tenure holders.
Feedback is received and incorporated into the trail design.
A Section 57 application is completed and submitted to Recreation Sites & Trails BC, along with any relevant feedback and documents.
The application is processed to ensure the proposed trail is sustainable, doesn’t damage the environment, doesn’t create conflict with other land users, and more. This can take over a year. If necessary, it will be sent for further stakeholder referral.
If the trail is approved, it will likely come with conditions attached that we must fulfill. We now start looking for grants so we can hire a professional trail builder for construction. Construction costs $30-40 per metre, depending on how complex the build is.
Once funding is in place, we will issue a request for proposals to approved trail builders.
Proposals are received and reviewed by the RCA Trail Committee, who recommend a contractor to the Board of Directors. The Board votes on the recommendation.
A contract is developed and signed with the successful proponent.
Construction takes place, ideally in the fall. The RCA makes regular check-ins on construction to ensure it is being done to spec.
The trail is completed and signage is installed.
The trail is inspected by the RCA and RSTBC. Any issues are addressed.
Finally, the trail is open.
As you can see, it is a lengthy process that takes at least three years from start to finish. The rewards are sustainable trails that complement our existing networks and meet the needs of all riders.
