Sitting high in the Monashee Mountains, Rossland is home to a vast network of cross-country skiing trails, many of which are maintained by the Kootenay Columbia Trail Society, who also tend to the hiking and mountain biking trails during the summer. But come winter time, the stunning and varied terrain around Rossland provides endless cross-country ski opportunities to please both novices and experts alike. Snow comes early here and stays late, so the ski-season is long and the views endless.
Cross-Country Skiing at Black Jack
Black Jack Cross-Country Ski Club, is located just 1km/0.6mi from Red Mountain Resort and the club and resort partner up to share trails and skiers. There are more than 30km/19mi of expertly groomed trails appropriate for both skating and classic techniques, a biathlon range and 1.3km/0.8mi of lit trails for night skiing. Trails ranked and marked easy, intermediate and advanced/expert meander through a forest of cedar and hemlock trees, with warming huts along the route.
Champion XC Skier George Grey
Black Jack's most famous member is George Grey – Canadian National Ski Team member, and currently one of Canada's top male Nordic skiers. There will be strong support from the community as well as Canada when Grey competes in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Practical Points and Tours
Black Jack offers a number of instructional programs for all age and ability levels. Check with the club directly or drop in at the Visitor Centre for more information, trails and backcountry route maps. Guided ski outings are also available in Rossland. Local groups Betty Go Hard and Adrenaline Adventures offer experienced guides and a variety of day trips.
For something a bit different and definitely tasty, Black Jack offers a fun night-time excursion, called Le Petit Fromage ("The Little Cheese"). This tour for groups of 6-12 people starts out with some evening ski instruction, followed by a gentle ski along groomed trails, ending up at a cabin in the wilderness where skiers will enjoy an authentic French cheese fondue dinner. It's a delightful and comforting meal to cap off a unique BC winter experience.
Trails Close to Rossland
There are other XC ski trails within easy driving distance to Rossland. Nancy Greene Provincial Park is a popular year-round spot that, in the winter, has 5km/3mi of ungroomed trails to glide over, while the Castlegar Nordic Ski Club maintains 45km/28mi of packed and tracked ski trails in the Rossland/Paulson area. Rossland's cross-country ski season runs from early December until about mid-April depending on snow conditions.