Red Mountain Resort:
Adventure In a Small Package
By Western standards, Red Mountain Resort is rather small, only 1,585 acres spread mostly across one peak. So how can you possibly get lost here? Who knows, but it happens almost every time.
Red Mountain Resort
British Columbia, Canada
Address: P.O. Box 670
Rossland, B.C., Canada V0G 1Y0
Ski area phone: (250) 362-7384
Toll-free reservations:
(877) 969-7669
Snow report: (800) 663-0105
E-mail: info@redresort.com
Internet: www.redresort.com (resort);
www.rossland.com (town)
The trail map is a moot point—until the end of the day. That’s when you sit down with a cold beer and try to figure out just exactly where you’ve been that day. Sure there are plenty of trails, but the reason to come here is for the phenomenal tree skiing and riding—deep and steep to wide and sweet. Trails signs? Not for most of Red’s true gems, even if it’s marked right there on the map. Ask locals and they’ll tell you to look for the four-by-four post to your right off the cat track (Beer Belly) or the round red reflector nailed to a tree on your left at the top of the saddle (Booty's Run). That’s why it’s a genuine surprise to be gliding through a prime piece of woods you’ve stumbled upon and suddenly see a small sign in the middle of the glade that says “Powder Fields.” OK, so you’re not really lost after all, someone’s been here before you.
It’s also a wonder that while the mountain is relatively small, the views here are big. Amidst the Monashee Range of the Kootenays, surrounding mountains rise from the valley floor, where a winding river stretches off into infinity. The farther you look, the bigger the mountains. Somehow, though, you don’t feel the need to leave this intimate mountain to explore something more expansive. Perhaps that’s because you know that after a week, there are places you’ll still never discover here. And that’s why you’ll be planning your next visit even before this one is over.
Those of us not young enough to remember the way skiing was in the ‘50s and ‘60s are in luck: Red Mountain Resort will take you back to the good ole days when skiing was glamorous, romantic and adventurous. And if you are old enough to remember, then surely you’ll want to take a walk—or slide—down memory lane.
This retro ski area is indisputably a step back in time—even beyond its established ski area days to its pioneering golden era. In fact, the mountains are dotted with abandoned mines, so be sure to heed warnings not to accidentally join the ghosts of yesteryear. It would be no surprise at all to come upon a group of gold miners decked in woolen jackets and baggy pants, hats pulled down to a cocky angle. If you listen closely, you can almost hear them swooshing by you on 7-foot-long wooden skis. Perhaps that laughter you hear is coming from one of the early-20th-century cabins hidden in the nearby trees as they warm themselves before another run by adding a little homemade whiskey to their piping-hot coffee (but it may well be modern-day locals lucky enough to still own these private cabins within the ski area’s boundaries).
Sure there are plenty of trails, but the reason to come here is for the phenomenal tree skiing and riding—deep and steep to wide and sweet.
Rossland isn’t your ordinary ski town. If you didn’t see the full-on view of the mountain rising in the background, you might not even know you’re at a resort. This small town of 4,000 residents has no traffic lights, making it hard to believe that back in 1897, when thousands came hoping to prosper from the gold mines, this was British Columbia’s largest city. Now you’ll find a simple mining town with a touch of class that is sure to catch the unsuspecting visitor by surprise. Spend an afternoon wandering the town, stepping into the funky little shops and chatting with the friendly locals.
In June 2004, Red Mountain was sold to avid skier and part-time Rossland resident Howard Katkov, who has plans to carry it into the future without losing the retro appeal of its past. He wants to almost triple the resort’s skiable terrain, but retain the tree skiing for which it’s renowned. The resort has already added a moving carpet for those just learning to ski and ride, about 400 acres of gladed terrain, a terrain park and a cross-country skiing/snowshoe loop leaving from the base area. The mid-mountain Paradise Lodge also had a facelift. Construction is underway for a development of 67 slopeside condos right at the base.
Exploring the Mountain
The ski area consists of two mountains: Red Mountain, an extinct volcano and the original site of the ski area, and Granite Mountain, which includes the Paradise Area and midmountain lodge. Both peaks offer 360 degrees of skiing terrain.
The ski area consists of two mountains. Both peaks offer 360 degrees of skiing terrain.
Red Mountain has a few short and steep runs to get the blood pumping. Don’t forget to check out the gladed area of widely spaced trees between Sally’s Alley and War Eagle. The real experts will make a beeline to Granite Mountain for outrageous trees, chutes, bowls, steeps and cliff bands. The trees on Granite are mostly towering pines with smatterings of younger evergreens and some hardwoods lower down the mountain. The tight and steep trees of both Booty's and Beer Belly (remember the reflector and post?) dump you unceremoniously into hidden steep bowls, a delightful surprise. The Powder Fields spread seemingly endlessly across the front of the mountain, with ledges and cliffs to keep you on your toes, while the adjacent Orchards allow you to reap the fruits of your labor. To get to both, you’ll need to shoot across Boardwalk at the top of Granite and carry your speed along a ridge, most likely skating the last section. For some unnamed woods that are probably known primarily by locals, try the trees off Ruby Tuesday, Gambler Towers, the lower part of Boardwalk near Paradise Lodge, and anywhere off Southside Road before reaching the roped-off area at Ledges Traverse.
Bump enthusiasts can test their skills on the long and unforgiving Slides, which soften up nicely in the sun but can be littered with boulders (near the bottom of Buffalo Ridge, you’ll need to tuck straight up the ridge ahead of you to get here). Centre Star is another favorite for moguls...in full view of everyone on the lift.
Intermediates can take in the views overlooking town from Red Mountain while winding down Sally’s Alley or letting ‘em rip down Face of Red and Back Trail.
This is a marvelous resort for learning to ski and ride in the woods. The trees are widely spaced evergreens, most of them gigantic ones that create a canopy of richly scented needles high above you, sucking the fear factor right out of you. It’s like aromatherapy to the rescue. On Granite, groomed runs such as Southern Belle, Southern Comfort and Gambler let you glide along and venture into the trees whenever you feel confident. Mini Bowls and Meadows have spread-out trees that will make anyone shine and the dips and rolls in both are sure to make you giggle with glee (drop in anywhere after passing Southern Comfort). Even advanced and expert tree skiers can have fun over here with their less-skilled cohorts.
The trees are widely spaced evergreens, most of them gigantic ones that create a canopy of richly scented needles high above you, sucking the fear factor right out of you.
Ruby Tuesday and Gambler Towers are single-black runs, but groomed, so advanced-intermediates should have no problem navigating down them. Maggie’s Farm is the next step for tree skiers and riders after you’ve become comfortable in the woods.
Beginners will find terrain that is nicely separated from everyone else. The T-bar and the Silverlode chair are good spots to practice honing your skills. Confident beginners should ride to the top of Granite and cruise the 4.5-mile Rino's Run, which winds around the mountain and doles out staggering views. The beginner trails in the Paradise area are quite nice, but it’s a long cat track returning to the base. You might want to end your day early to avoid the rush back when the lifts close. Avoid Red Mountain, except to use the T-bar—there’s no easy way down from the top. If you’re transitioning from beginner to intermediate terrain, you’ll find limited options. Be ready to challenge yourself.
Plenty of skiers and riders learn here. A moving carpet at the base area near the T-bar serves the learning terrain. The area is fenced off so faster skiers and riders aren’t intimidating. Once you’re comfortable linking turns, try the Silverlode triple and T-bar.
Snowboarders should know that most of the goods are off cat tracks that require carrying your speed, and even then, you will probably still have to hoof it in places. But don’t let that stop you, everything here is worth the work to get to it. Of note: To get to anything around Powder Fields and The Orchards, you’ll need to shoot across Boardwalk at the top of Granite and carry your speed along a ridge, most likely walking the last section because there’s a short hill at the end. To get to The Slides, as you near the bottom of Buffalo Ridge, you’ll need to rip straight up the ridge ahead of you. Ridge Road, which gives you access to the Paradise area, Beer Belly and Doug’s Run, is a bit flat in parts, so decide beforehand how far you want to go so you have enough momentum to get there. Beer Belly, The Slides, Booty's and the rest of the diamond-rated trails around them dump you out onto the end of Rino's Run and Easy Street, which are pretty flat near the end. Likewise, coming back from the Paradise area on Southside Road requires you to pay attention to your speed. Beginners may find riding a T-bar on a snowboard is one of the toughest things you can do, but once you’re up top the rest is easy.