Four ways to ski in one rad mountain town
By Melissa Thompstone
Cover photo courtesy of BJ Reid and Tourism Rossland
Planning your dream ski vacation shouldn’t feel like work—we do enough of that already. Luckily, Rossland, British Columbia, Canada makes it easy, so you don’t have to choose between untouched lines, chairlift laps or groomed tracks. Whether you are into cross-country, backcountry, downhill or cat skiing, Rossland, B.C., offers you a winter playground fully loaded with fresh powder, no lineups and a terrain for every taste, all just minutes from downtown. In Rossland, ski days often start with a good coffee and a decision—skate, skin, groomer or glades?
XC Skiing at Black Jack
If Nordic, skate-skiing or biathlon training is your idea of a perfect morning, Black Jack Ski Club proves that skinny skis can deliver big adventure. With 31 miles of trails ranging from flat beginner to World Cup difficulty, Black Jack has something for everyone—even your dog, with 2.5 miles of pup-approved trails.
Typically running from early November through May, Black Jack offers one of the longest ski seasons in Canada. Once the snow hits, the groomers are out, and stay out all season long, with daily grooming and reports. If that doesn’t get you here, Black Jack is also open 24 hours with 1.5 miles of lit trails for night skiing, or you can do what the locals do and grab a headlamp or ski under the full moon. With three cozy day-use warming cabins along the trails, one at the lower trailhead, and a brand-new base lodge opening this winter, you might just want to make a whole day (and night) of it! For more info on Black Jack visit Skiblackjack.ca.
Alpine Turns at RED Mountain Resort
Once you’ve had your fill of corduroy classics, head across the highway for a little (or a lot) more elevation and legendary powder laps on repeat at RED Mountain Resort. It’s the oldest resort in Western Canada, and one of the top 10 size-wise in North America, with 3,850 skiable acres. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, then it probably doesn’t exist. From epic tree skiing, pristine powder, glorious groomers and in-bound cat skiing, there is something here for everyone. Not sure where to start? No problem—join one of RED Mountain’s free, guided tours with a local Snow Host, who will lead you across one or all of the five peaks, each offering a 360º descent. As a part of the Ikon Pass, you won’t want to miss this hidden gem only 123 miles from Spokane. But don’t take our word for it—you can find all the convincing you need right here at Redresort.com.
Cat Skiing at Big Red Cats
If you think RED’s in-bounds terrain is impressive, wait until you see what’s hiding just beyond its bounds. Big Red Cats is one of the largest cat ski operations in the world, with over 700 named runs, eight peaks, and 137 miles of snowcat roads spread out over 20,000 acres of terrain. The staging area is about 25 minutes down the highway from RED Mountain Resort, and from there it’s a quick cat ride to the top of your first of many runs. It would take at least two years to ski it all, so you know you are going to get a taste of that sweet B.C. champagne powder that will leave you wanting more. Big Red Cats offers different trip levels for different abilities. Staff will run you through an on-site safety training prior to skiing, as well as provide you with high-quality backcountry equipment for the day. The only thing left for you to do is get your friends or family together and book your trip at Bigredcatskiing.com.
Backcountry Touring at Strawberry Pass
If you’re craving some extra cardio, trade the cat for a climb and head to the Strawberry Pass, where uphill thrills and downhill bliss are all part of the adventure. Just 12 miles North of Rossland, you’ll find a network of winter routes and a chain of unique, day-use cabins to explore in the Rossland Range. This is genuine backcountry terrain, so you will need avalanche gear, the skills to use it, and the know-how to read the maps and mountains’ moods and sneaky surprises before you skin up and drop in. Be sure to check Avalanche.ca/map for current local snow conditions and visit Rosslandrange.org for downloadable maps, route info and a link to donate, as this area is managed by a group of dedicated volunteers. You will definitely earn your turns while taking in the beauty of the range, as Strawberry Pass delivers a backcountry experience that is just as rewarding as it is breathtaking.
This little mountain town serves up four ski styles in one tight radius, and you can switch between them faster than your skis can fly. With plenty of accommodation options in town and at RED Mountain Resort, Rossland is closer than you think and is the ultimate hub for winter adventures. From freshly groomed cross-country trails at Black Jack, to adrenaline-pumping laps at RED, to untouched cat skiing with Big Red Cats and backcountry exploration at Strawberry Pass, there’s something here for every level of skier. Add in cozy cabins, local shops and cafés, and that unbeatable small-town charm, and you’ve got a winter playground that keeps you moving—and coming back for more. Or maybe you never leave.
In Rossland, the mountains are always close, the powder is always fresh, and the never-ending adventures are just outside your door. So, besides the first snowfall, what are you waiting for?
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