Exposure for Red Mountain Resort has nothing to do with extreme elements these days.
Rossland’s resort has enjoyed numerous accolades and media attention in the last few years and it has continued to snowball, with the resort earning two major awards in London last week.
Red was named the most improved North American resort and the best up and coming resort in the World Snow Awards held in London on Nov. 1. Red was the only ski resort to win multiple awards.
“We had a hunch we stood a chance in most improved and up and coming but, even still, when it happened that was fantastic,” said Red vice-president of business development, Erik Kalacis.
“No question, we were really honoured to be selected and it’s going to be great for turning more U.K. skiers on to Red.
Honouring the best in the world of skiing and snowboarding the awards reward resorts, companies, equipment and individuals in 22 categories. The winners were chosen from a shortlist by a panel of leading ski and snowboard experts and by public vote.
The awards will help Red extend the lure of the hill to other parts of the globe, something that has been a goal of management for some time, Kalacis explained.
Towards that end, Red has embarked on a more comprehensive sales and marketing approach this year, trying to capitalize on the exposure the hill has received, as well as the buzz created by the addition of the Grey Mountain chair lift—opening up a further 997 acres.
“We have something that is unique, something that skiers desire. We are not commercialized, gentrified ski experience, we are the real thing and we are having fun with it,” said Kalacis.
“It seems like a lot of skiers around the world are looking for the ski experience that we offer.”
Bookings for the coming season are very strong and group bookings have gone “through the roof.” Group bookings have doubled at the hill, said Kalacis, and lodging bookings are shaping up to having its best season on record for the city and Red.
“Obviously the real attraction is the fact we have eight more intermediate runs on Grey,” he said. “Now we are offering a product that appeals to the full spectrum of skiers.”