Red Mountain Resort is known for having some of the finest powder and steep tree skiing on the continent.
Ski Canada magazine recently recognized the resort with “Best Powder,” “Best Steeps” and “Best Trees” (2007, 2008), and ForbesTraveler.com (a US-based luxury travel website) featured it as one of the top ten downhill skiing areas in North America (2007).
Red Mountain Skiing Terrain
The resort includes two mountains – Red and Granite – with terrain options for all skill levels. Advanced skiers looking for the perfect powder stash in the trees will be awed by the glades and backcountry. Less experienced skiers can cruise wide-open groomed runs and easier terrain accessed from the Silverlode chair.
The mountain is popular with locals (two-thirds of residents from nearby Rossland own a season’s lift pass to the resort) but long lift line-ups are not a problem: ForbesTraveler.com included Red Mountain Resort as one of ten top-notch uncrowded skiing areas (2007).
Olympic Skiers at Red Mountain Resort
Skiers have been exploring Red Mountain’s slopes since 1896, making it Western Canada’s original ski resort. The mountain is home to an incredibly successful alpine ski club; past ski team members include Olympic gold medallists Nancy Greene Raine and Kerrin Lee-Gartner.
Red Mountain Resort also hosts top freeskiers, such as Dane Tudor and Crystal Wright, during the Canadian Open Freeskiing Championship (athletes ski steep, big mountain terrain).
Practical Points
Rental equipment is available at the resort and includes skis (high performance, telemark and cross-county), boots and poles.
Beginner, intermediate and advanced lessons are available through Snowsports School. Guided backcountry tours, avalanche skills courses and free daily mountain tours are also available.
In addition to skiing, the resort offers snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, cat-skiing and snowmobile tours.