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big red cats Overview

Canada bigredcatskiing.com | (250)362-2271

Photo: Sean Hannah

Operation Overview

Big Red Cats is one of the largest powdercat operations in the world, with qualified lead and tail guides, six cats, and 550 powder-filled runs that average 1,400 vertical feet. Separate groups for expert, advanced, intermediate, and über-expert skiers and riders. Funky lodges, luxury condos, and a great selection of restaurants await at our base at Red Mountain in Rossland. One- to seven-day packages available, with or without lodging and lifts.

Terrain Overview

Ski and ride all aspects of eight mountains. Steep lines with pillows and cliffs for experts, a combination of glades and bowls for advanced groups, and more low-angle runs with widely spaced trees for intermediates. Average run length is 1,400 feet, and you'll do 10 to 15 runs, depending on group speed.

The Bottom Line

Guaranteed powder and flowing fall line glades and bowls.

Season Highlights

  • Come before or after the Rossland Winter Carnival, Red Mountain's "Gathering," or Red Mountain Freeski Challenge.

Specs

Annual Snowfall: 400+ inches
Exclusive Terrain: 20,000 acres
Non-Exclusive Terrain: N/A
Price Range: $350-$450 per day (plus $60-$100/night for choice of lodging)
Seasonal Dates: 12/17/12 - 04/07/13
Years in Business: 8
Types of Cats: Six Pisten Bully 300's-Five with passenger cabs.
Guarantees and refund policies: Snowcats are never grounded, and an advanced cat will get at least 10,000 feet or there is a future credit. Non-refundable, but in the rare event we cannot operate, we would offer the choice to reschedule during a two-year period, and Red Mountain has great groomed runs too, so you can still get out and ski during your holiday.
Down Day Activity: Don't expect down days-this is cat skiing! (But there is great skiing at nearby Red Mountain and Whitewater, if you want to mix it up.)
Nearest Airport: Spokane, Washington (100 miles)
Nearest Town: Rossland, B.C.
Lodging Amenities/Availability: Big Red Lodge, Red Shutter Inn, luxury condos
Local Bars Flying Steamshovel, Drift, Rafter's, Rock Cut Pub
Local Restaurants Gypsy@Red, Gabriella's, Idgie's, Alpine Grind Café

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Add a comment

  • Midnight special

    Comedy,
    Skied there for two years, rarely cracked 10 000 very in a day, even with strong groups, found most of the skiing too flat, and not enough of “one of the biggest cat skiing areas in the world” is skiable. ( which kinda makes the statistic moot)
    Most of the terrain is more suitable for snowmobiling than skiing, Red mountain has excellent steeps and virtually no groomed runs.
    Guides were excellent except the one who kept getting lost in the fog, only when he couldn’t t find the cat….he kept trying to convince to shoot photos in the fog ( which is impossible…..my advice spend a little more and hit Chatter Creek, Monashee powder, or Island Lake lodge. If its warm winter in Canada try La Grave or Chamonix, if there’s snow all of the terrain is actually skiable……or get a sled, there’s big factories that make them.

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