Does the pace of life have you “seeing red?” If so, one trip to Rossland, home of Red Mountain Resort in B.C.’s Kootenay Rockies region, is all that’s required to recalibrate your cool.
Rossland is arguably the home of skiing in Canada, and it all began on the slopes of Red Mountain, so called because of the glistening gold ore that volcanoes once spewed across the Monashee Mountains. The first downhill race was held here in 1896; since then, skiers and more recently boarders and backcountry touring enthusiasts of all stripes have been making daily ascents of Red and its twin, Granite Mountain, on the resort’s four chairlifts and a terrain park-dedicated T-bar. This winter, park riders will be treated to a host of new features designed to facilitate a progression of skills, from novice to advanced levels. And when report cards come out next spring, expect to see a marked upgrade in local talent, hardly surprising given that Red Mountain Ski Club, the oldest in Canada, boasts two Olympic gold medalists among its alumni. And it won’t just be park riders who will notice a difference. The appointment of Luc Belanger as director of snowsports means entry-level skiers and snowboarders can expect to climb the ladder of success, based on his record at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary.
Red Mountain Resort is in the Monashee range which boasts high levels of snowfall and high quality terrain, an ideal setting for cat-skiing. Blackjack Cross Country Club is located very close to Red. The club is professionally groomed and has over 30 kilometres of trails ranging from beginner to expert.
Off the hill, Rossland was voted Canada’s No. 1 outdoor town by Explore Magazine. The stunning alpine town features shopping, casual and fine dining, pubs, bars, a fitness centre and more. Red Mountain Resort has a portfolio of on-mountain properties for travellers to stay at and at whatever price level.
Take in the nightlife by heading over to Drift Izakaya, a Japanese pub-style drinking establishment that also serves food ranging from shashimi to fried chicken. They host a variety of local bands and DJs.
For more apres-ski atmosphere Rafters in the Day Lodge is filled with nostalgia from Red’s heydays. If you are looking for something to eat after a long day in the powder, The Gypsy at Red is an award-winning restaurant, located at the baste of the village. The Gypsy serves up a unique blend of creative gourmet meals and their homemade desserts are an experience not to be missed.
Oh, and one can’t discount possibly the best measure of a visit to this Kootenay Rockies draw: affordability. Rest assured a trip to small town Rossland won’t send your budget into the red.
For more info visit www.redresort.com.