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Written by Super User on . Posted in Cat Skiing BC.

A Typical Day at BRC






A TYPICAL DAY

  • 0800

    Leave Rossland/the RED Mountain base area and self-drive to our Staging Area at Claim Pit Rd.

  • 0830

    Arrive at the Staging Area and meet the BRC guide team to begin safety training. If you're renting, your ski/board rental will be here ready and waiting for you.

  • 0900-0930

    Board the snowcats after safety training is completed, and gear and lunches are loaded.

  • 0945

    DROPPING! You will ski/ride powder all day, eating your catered lunch between runs.

  • 1515 - 1530

    Final run of the day and loading the snowcat to head back to the parking lot.

  • 1600

    Arrive back at the parking lot, return gear, high-fives and head home.

  • 1645-1700

    Arrival back to the base of RED Mountain Resort. The BRC office is open until 6:00 pm, so you can pick up some swag to remember the epic day you just had! If you miss us, you can catch us again the next day when we open at 7:30 am.

Lunch is provided.  Please advise in advance if you are vegetarian, or have food allergies or aversions such as nuts, gluten, or dairy.  Please also advise the guides if you have any medical issues which could become important in a rescue situation.

You are welcome to bring additional snacks as well.  Although drinking alcohol while skiing is not permitted, you are welcome to bring cold cans for the cat descent after your last run.  There is space in the cat for a backpack with things such as extra mitts, goggles, hand warmers, and spare layers.  You may want to bring a Ziploc bag with some toilet paper. There are no outhouses in the wilderness.

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Written by Super User on . Posted in Cat Skiing BC.

Ability





ABILITY LEVELS

BRC is one of the only cat skiing operations that offers a full spectrum of trip levels. We operate separate cats for differing ability levels. These groups access different areas of our varied terrain so you can get the most out of the day! For instance, if you are a blue run skier and want to experience backcountry powder at your pace, we offer Intermediate trips. On the other hand, if you like to go fast, ski steeps, and like air-time, the Expert or even our Pro-Level might be for you!

Explore below and see which level is best for you. Not sure? Give us a call or send us an email and our office team can help find the best fit for you.

Intermediate Cat Ski Groups

First step in backcountry powder skiing

This trip caters to skiers and riders who are newer to deep powder skiing or prefer an extra cruisy day. Your day will start with gentle runs with sparse trees. Depending on the group, it may advance to skiing easy glades with widely-spaced trees, and gradually steeper terrain. By the end of the day, you will probably be skiing advanced runs, but at a slower pace than the Advanced group. We will help you work towards skiing powder confidently in a fun, low-pressure environment.

Skiers and snowboarders at this level are those who:

  • Limited powder experience.
  • Are very confident on groomed blue runs and will comfortably ski black at the ski resort.
  • Must be able to ski off-piste in runs at the resort, with trees.
  • Are comfortable making smooth, parallel turns (no pizza).
  • Enjoy new challenges and have a good attitude.
  • Seek to build their powder confidence.
  • Are reasonably fit, although maybe not as fit as they used to be!


    Book Now

    Advanced Cat Ski Groups

    A day of open bowls, powder trees, and steeper terrain

    Advanced skiers and riders enjoy diverse terrain including gladed areas, open bowls, steeper terrain, and trees. We ski and ride at a comfortable pace, allowing everyone to enjoy their runs without a rushed feeling, and regroup a couple of times on the way down for a breather and a laugh.

    Skiers and snowboarders at this level are those who:

    • Have previous powder experience.
    • Are comfortable on almost any terrain.
    • Divide their time between blue, black and double black runs at the ski resort.
    • Enjoy groomed and ungroomed terrain; know how to handle adverse snow conditions.
    • Are comfortable in gladed areas and tree runs.
    • Might enjoy a few small jumps if conditions are just right, but aren't generally keen on cliffs.

    Book Now

    Expert Cat Ski Groups

    For those who ski double blacks and deep powder with confidence

    At this level, we will ski non-stop, fast-paced, challenging descents consisting mainly of steeps and tree runs. This group will constantly push our guides to ski/ride faster down steeper and longer runs and aim to maximize their day. Sometimes we will ski runs that have greater risk, in which case your guide may send each person down one at a time.

    Skiers and snowboarders at the "Expert" level are those who:

    • Have significant and extensive powder experience.
    • Ski at a faster pace.
    • Are comfortable on any terrain.
    • Able to ski tight tree runs well.
    • Ski/board black and double black runs with style.
    • Can handle any snow condition.

    Book Now

    Pro-Level

    Fast paced and freeride focused

    This trip is designed for expert and aggressive skiers and riders only. 

    Previously named "Uber-Expert", the Pro-Level cat is dedicated to showing you the most expert terrain we have. We spend the day hunting out drops, chutes, technical terrain features, and steep trees. If you are looking to step up the adrenaline and be challenged, this is for you.

    Book or request an "Pro-Level" group if you can handle all of the requirements of "Expert," and you also:

    • Enjoy technical terrain like pillows, jumps, drops, etc. 
    • Are super fit and can ski or ride top to bottom all day without a rest. Can ski/ride at a fast pace all day.
    • If the guide can do it, you can do it, because there may be no way around where this group goes.
    • Willing to accept the higher degree of risk inherent in skiing this sort of terrain.

    Book Now

    Get to know how our groups work a bit more by watching our overview videos.

    Intermediate Group Cat Skiing

    Advanced Group Cat Skiing

    Expert Group Cat Skiing

    Pro-Level (formerly Uber-Expert) Group Cat Skiing

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    About

    Fresh tracks, deep powder, and no lineups.

    Cat skiing and boarding at Big Red Cats provides all that and more, just 2.5 hours north of Spokane, WA in Rossland, BC!

    Big Red Cats is the only cat skiing operation in BC to offer separate trips for Expert, Advanced, and Intermediate skiers and riders, so you can enjoy exploring the backcountry with others of a similar ability.

    Ski our 8 Summits! With 20,000 acres of some of the best tree skiing and glades in the world, you can explore our area with day trips, or week-long packages based at neighboring RED Mountain Resort. From moderate to luxury accommodation, we can tailor your trip to suit your needs - you can incorporate resort skiing into the trip, or come out for fresh tracks, every time.

    Learn the History of Big Red Cats

    Cat skiing one of the few sports that you look ahead to see what’s behind.
    Adam Benson

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    Accomodations

    Big Red Lodge

    The Big Red Lodge is ideal for groups of 12 people (1 whole snowcat!) in the highest quality, comfort, and style.  It is usually booked by return guests a year in advance for high season, but may be available over Christmas and January.

    Bed configuration includes 12 separate beds in 5 bedrooms and a loft.

    It is perfect for our guests as it allows the whole group to stay under one roof and all eat and socialize around one table.  

    This is some of the finest ski lodging anywhere, and without a doubt the best place for a group of up to 12 to stay at Red Mountain - it is an easy walk to the lifts, restaurants, and our office.

    The cathedral ceilings in the great room allow for a stunning view of Red Mountain through the timber-framed windows. The spacious kitchen with granite counters and stainless appliances make it a complete luxury get-away!

    If you choose to also hire the bus to take you to and from the cat staging area, the guides can meet you at the house and drive you up. Otherwise, you are welcome to self-drive to the cats, about 20 minutes north on highway 3B.  

    The lodge is self-catering, but is directly across the road from Rossberry Hill and a short walk to The Velvet and Rafters for dinners, with take-out and delivery available.

    You may also book the lodge for nights you are skiing at the resort.

    Book Online

    • 12 Guests

    • 5 Bedrooms + loft

    • 3 Bathrooms

    Amenities

    • Kitchen
    • Dishwasher
    • WiFi
    • Coffee Maker

    • Central Heating

    • TV
    • Free Parking

    • Hot Tub

    • BBQ
    • Bathtub
    • Shower
    • Non Smoking

    RATES:

    Regular Season: C$1200/night plus taxes

    Peak Season (FEB only): C$1400/night plus taxes

    3-night minimum. Subject to 5% houskeeping service fee 

    Red Shutter Inn

    The best hot tub in town! With comfortable beds, sauna access, and an optional dinner plan, the Shutter has a warm social atmosphere with only 6 rooms, and an excellent location at the base of Red Mountain Resort right beside the BRC headquarters.

    The Red Shutter feels more like a ski club than a hotel, and many of our guests return year after year.  As Big Red Cats is owned by the Red Shutter Inn, most of the clients in the inn will be your fellow cat skiing guests, which makes for a social holiday.

    The walls are thin, and it is cozy and comfortable but not luxurious.  It may not be the place for a romantic getaway, but for people who are here to ski, it's a solid choice. Each room has a queen and double bed, and its own bathroom with sink, toilet, and shower.

    Rent the whole lodge for up to 12 people (6 rooms with 2 beds per room), or individual rooms, or the cheap and cheerful 2-bedroom cabin.  

    $196/room/night for a room for two.  Single rate $129/night.

    Full lodge booking for $1176 - six rooms and 12 large beds.

    Great snow. Great hot tub. Great beds. Good times! 


    Website: www.redshutter.ca

    • Redshutterandcabin

    • Redshutterroom

    • Redshutterfire

    Book Online

    • 12 Guests

    • 6 Rooms

    A-Frame Cabin

    $299/night  

    If you're looking for awesome with an odd juxtaposition of rustic and modern, this may be for you!

    You have your own cooking facilities, and are right next to the Red Shutter Inn hot tub and sauna.  Large TV with cable and wifi, warm and cozy wood stove.

    Book early though, as this cabin is usually full all season - for $74/person/night, it's hard to beat!  The A-Frame is well-located right at the base of RED, with shuttle pickup for Big Red Cats right next door.

    2 bedrooms, each with 2 single XL beds (which can be pushed together).  Good for 4 adults.

    http://www.redshutter.ca for full tour

     

    Book Online

    • 4 Guests

    • 2 Rooms

    Accomodations @RED

    Hotels @RED

    • The Ram's Head Inn

      A short walk from our office and the base of Red, nestled in the woods at the entrance to Red Mountain, the Ram's Head Inn offers 13 rooms and a condo. Queen, Double & Single, King, and King & Queen configurations available, as well as a kitchen suite and an economical dorm-style loft. Rooms include continental breakfast.

      Visit Website

    • The Josie

      Nestled at the base of RED Mountain Resort in Rossland, at The Josie you’ll find the best of British Columbia at your doorstep. Features spa and restaurant, and is the closest to the lifts at Red.

      Visit Website

    • Nowhere Special Hostel

      This is something between a hostel and a boutique hotel, well-located in the lower parking lot, near the Ram's Head Inn, at the base of Red Pricing as low as $40/bed in a dorm room, but private and family rooms also available

      Visit Website

    Condos @RED

    • Red Reservations

      Luxury 1-4 bedroom condos closest to the lifts and our office at RED. Most condos have hot tubs or hot tub access, and are modern and less than 10 years old. Online calendar and bookings available

      Visit Website

    • Mountain Town Properties

      Excellent online availability calendar for instant information 24 hours a day! MTP has a great cross-section of privately owned condos, guest houses, bed and breakfasts, as well as inns and hotels, both in Rossland and at the resort base. Especially good for larger groups, they have some 5 bedroom and 4 bedroom chalets near our office: Olaus House, Grey Wolf Condos, White Wolf Condos.

      Visit Website

    • The Village at Red Mountain

      At the base of Red Resort, The Village at Red Mountain is just a few hundred feet further from the lifts, and offers a variety of 1-4 bedroom condos, budget cabins, and a mid-range 5-bedroom "Bear House". While they don't have an online calendar, they sometimes have availability when the other providers are sold out.

      Visit Website

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