Written by Natasha on 11 September 2024. Posted in Cat Skiing BC.

Blog

La Nina

La Niña Warning!

As summer’s warmth begins to wane and thoughts shift to winter, skiers and snowboarders in Interior British Columbia are eagerly anticipating the upcoming ski season. This year, however, there's an additional layer of excitement (and perhaps a touch of uncertainty) as we look towards the potential impacts of La Niña. Let’s dive into what La Niña means for our region and what to expect this season.

Understanding La Niña

La Niña is part of the broader El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate pattern. While its counterpart, El Niño, is associated with warmer ocean temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific, La Niña is characterized by cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the same region. This cooling effect can have a significant impact on weather patterns across the globe, including here in interior British Columbia. La Niña's impact can have the most impact on weather in the area where the Polar Jet Stream (cold) and Pacific Jet Stream (wet) intersect, which co-incidentally happens to be where we at Big Red Cats reside.
La Nina copy 2 Figure 1 (credit of NOAA)

La Niña’s Impact on Ski Conditions

In general, La Niña tends to bring cooler and wetter conditions to much of western Canada. For Interior British Columbia, this usually translates to a few key effects:

Increased Snowfall: La Niña often results in above-average snowfall, which means above-average powder days. This is due to the increased moisture being drawn into the region, which can lead to more frequent and heavier snowstorms. For skiers and snowboarders, this can mean deeper and more consistent powder.
Cooler Temperatures: The cooler temperatures associated with La Niña can contribute to better snow preservation. With less thawing during the day, snow conditions may remain favorable for longer periods. This can lead to longer seasons and more consistent snow quality.
Potential for Extreme Weather: While increased snowfall is generally good news, it can come with some caveats. La Niña winters can sometimes bring intense storms and heavy snowfalls that could impact travel and access to typical winter areas. It’s essential to be prepared for potentially challenging conditions and to stay informed about weather updates.

What to Expect This Season

Based on current forecasts and historical patterns, many experts are predicting that this La Niña event could bring robust snowfall to the Interior region. Interior British Columbia is likely to see an impressive amount of snow.

However, it’s also worth noting that while La Niña generally favors snowier conditions, variability is always a factor. Each La Niña event is unique, and local weather patterns can fluctuate. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on both long-term forecasts and real-time updates to ensure you’re ready for whatever La Niña brings your way.

Tips for a Great Ski Season

Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest weather forecasts and snow reports for your ski areas. Many ski areas provide regular updates on conditions, which can help you plan your trips effectively.
Be Prepared: With the possibility of intense storms, make sure your gear and vehicle are winter-ready. Carrying essentials like tire chains, a shovel, and extra warm clothing can be crucial.
Embrace the Powder: If the predictions hold true, this could be a season for epic powder days. Embrace the opportunities for deep, fluffy snow, but be sure to exercise extra caution.
Enjoy the Season: La Niña brings its own set of advantages and challenges, but at the heart of it, it's about enjoying the winter season. Whether you're knee deep in fresh powder or soaking in the snowy mountain views, make the most of every moment.

Conclusion

As we look forward to the winter season, La Niña promises to add a touch of excitement and unpredictability to skiing and snowboarding in Interior British Columbia. While the potential for increased snowfall and cooler temperatures are welcome news, it’s important to stay informed and prepared. Here’s to a thrilling and memorable ski season ahead, filled with powder days and all the joy that comes with a big winter.

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Written by Todd Avison on 29 September 2021. Posted in Cat Skiing BC.

Jobs

WORK HERE.

Our people are the heart and soul of the cat skiing experience. We are looking for team members this upcoming winter season who share their passion for skiing/boarding while providing a level of excellence in both customer service and safety.

Big Red Cats is one of the largest cat-skiing operations in the world and offers amazing glades and tree-skiing runs! Working here allows the opportunity to have new experiences in the mountains and meet interesting people from all over the world. You can enjoy the Kootenay lifestyle while making lasting connections with our experienced, passionate guide team and explore all that town of Rossland has to offer.

WHAT WE OFFER.

Competitive remuneration packages
Professional development benefits such as tuition reimbursements and training credits
Annual first aid refreshers
Shared seasons pass to local RED Mountain Resort
Lodging support if applicable. Live in Rossland or at the RED Resort base area, no remote lodge life here.

JOB POSTINGS 2024/2025 SEASON

SUPERVISING LEAD GUIDE (2 positions)

The supervising guide's primary responsibility is the overall safety of guests and guide team. They shall represent the Guiding Manager in their absence from the field.

This includes ensuring the morning and afternoon meetings are facilitated to the standard set, ensuring all paperwork is completed to the industry standard, making decisions relating to the safety of the ski program, tracking inventory and preventative maintenance on company equipment.

Duties

- Communicate regularly with the Guiding Manager, Office Manager and the Owner’s representative.  

- Play an active role in BRC’s Training and Staff Orientation

- Maintain productive communications with guiding staff

-Ensure all the staff (guiding, workshop and office) are trained in the Emergency Response Plan  

-Maintenance of weather station and study plot

-Ensure weather and snowpack observations are completed

- Ensure the BRC qualified avalanche safety plan and BRC standards and guidelines are followed  

- Supervise the activities of the lead guides, tail guides and snow safety team.

- Ensure that complete AM and PM meetings are held and recorded in the database  

- Ensure completion of all data recording (BRC DB, InfoEx, Incident reports etc.)  

- Ensure that rescue equipment is complete, inventoried and correctly placed   

- Complete or supervise season beginning and end, equipment inventory and storage  

- Complete an annual year-end report

- Assigning daily and weekly duties to the guides

- Provides season-end reviews for guiding team  

Minimum Qualifications:  

IFMGA or ACMG Ski Guide, Ski Guide equivalent, or CSGA Level 3 Certification.  
Minimum of 3 years’ experience as a lead ski guide.  
CAA Level 2
Class 4 Driver’s License
80 hr. First Aid Course

Remuneration:

A competitive compensation package will be provided based on qualifications, experience, and skill set for full-time guides. Further details will be discussed in a private interview but the following is included, at a minimum:

Competitive wage and incentives for FT guides.
Health Benefits for FT guides
First Aid Recertification for FT guides
Generous gratuities

To apply please forward your resume, cover letter and certifications to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Lead Guide:

Minimum Qualifications:

ACMG Apprentice Ski or CSGA Level 2 or International equivalency
Canadian Avalanche Association Level 2 or International Equivalent
80 hours of First Aid
Class 4 license not required but an asset

Overview:

The primary responsibility of the Lead Guide is to organize and facilitate a safe and enjoyable ski program for their group. He/she must also assist the Supervising Guide in running the overall ski program on a daily basis.

To apply: Only those applicants short-listed will be contacted for interviews. Please forward all cover letters and resumes to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Snowcat Operator

Job Description/Duties

Build & maintain snowcat roads
Transport staff & guests throughout day
Maintain and clean snowcats
Observe carefully and adhere to all company safety, operating, and maintenance
Assist guides with various duties when needed

Qualifications:

Previous snowcat driving experience (grooming/cat-skiing/heli-skiing)
Valid Class 5 driver’s license
Familiarity with cat-skiing and other backcountry operations preferred
Excellent navigation and radio communication skills

Compensation: Dependent on certification level and experience. Daily lunch included. Transportation to/from staging area from Rossland also included.

Schedule: Full-time and part-time positions available.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority

Please submit resumes to Richard Streadwick, VP of Operations This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (cc' This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Housekeeping

Job Description/Duties:

Our housekeepers are key to turning over BRC's lodging for each guest visit at The Red Shutter Inn, A-Frame Cabin and The Big Red Lodge, all of which are located 5mins from Rossland at the base of RED Mountain.

Being a housekeeper at BRC/Red Shutter Inn comes with a variety of job tasks; laundry, vacuuming, mopping, disinfecting surfaces, bathrooms and general tidying. It also means that you are a part of a great team and might like to go cat skiing on your days off!

Qualifications

Previous housekeeping & experience an asset
Previous laundry experience an asset
Must be physically able to clean several hours
Must have previous customer service experience
Ability to lift and carry 35lbs
Must be available to work weekends

Schedule: Full & Part-time positions available.

Mid December to late March.

How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Job will be posted until filled.

Gear Guru, Maintenance & Snow Shovelling (FILLED)

Job Description/Duties:

This is a do it all type of job. Start your day helping prep the backcountry gear for the cat skiing guests, get your sweat on shovelling the overnight snow at the Red Shutter Inn/A-frame Cabin, prep ski rentals for the upcoming guests and help make sure those hot tubs are primed for guests to return to at the end of the day.

*Ski rental binding certification will be provided.

Qualifications

Must have strong attention to detail/organization.
Previous maintenance experience & carpentry skills are an asset.
Must like starting early & working shift work.
Must be physically capable of the strenuous work of shoveling and maintaining the Red Shutter Inn & Cabin entrances and decks
Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
Experience with hot tub maintenance.
Basic knowledge of skis/binding systems.

Schedule: Full & Part-time positions available.

Mid December to late March.

How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume to both This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and cc' This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tail Guiding Practicums:

Throughout the season we offer a limited number of spaces for those training to become a certified guide. This volunteer position involves active observation and participation in daily guiding operations. When not skiing with the groups there are a variety of other snow safety tasks to assist with.

Requirements: