Rossland

Kootenay Rockies

British Columbia

Canada

Lone Star Motel

Red Barn Lodge

Angela's B&B and Guest House

The Josie Hotel, Autograph Collection

Red Mountain Village

Prestige Mountain Resort Rossland

Red Mountain Resort

Ram's Head Inn

Red Shutter Inn

Mountain Shadow Hostel

Lone Star Motel - Rossland, BC

Rossland Lions Community Campground

Nowhere Special Hostel

SureStay By Best Western Rossland Red Mountain

The Flying Steamshovel

The Wild Turkey Inn

The Crescent

Casa Alpina Motel

Rossland Bike Retreat

resort.fhr.heroTitle

Red Resort

Red Mountain

Spring like conditions today with soft almost slushy snow. Full sun all day. 

Joe Latkowski 

Monday saw snow all day long. Wonderful powder conditions. 

Thursday January 29, 2026 

Red Mountain, BC

JABSportsUSA

Day 18 of 18

9am Conditions:
28 degrees (F) base.  27 summit.  It snowed!  Again.  3 official inches overnight.  Doesn't sound like much - but it helped - big time.  I got to the top of Grey Mountain fairly quickly (2nd chair).  Immediately to the left opens up a wide Green that transitions to a very friendly Blue.  I rarely do this - but it was just too tempting.  3-inches fresh powder over a flat groomer.  No one in site.  I completely let it go and bombed it.  At that speed - three inches has you up and surfing quickly.  Even with no crowds the runs were skied-out by 12noon - but as KeithTheElder says "must be present to win".  I was.  

LESSON BY JAB:
My snowboard boots won't be the only accouterment that doesn't make it to next season.  Ed The Red - couldn't twist a good question out of him - but I like this dude .  Originally from Toronto then Vancouver.  Been in Rossland / Trail, BC for #23 years.  He explained the difference between Trail and Rossland.  I get it.  Gentrification is spreading its ubiquitous tentacles here in Rossland.  Live in Trail for a fraction of the price - it's only 8-miles away.  His exact statement / questions was "it starts with T then 3 letters and ends with a P".  Ed, I'm sorry - I can't go there as I've pushed far over the ledge already.  Ed The Red with his insider knowledge did clear-up a few things.  "I work outside everyday - I'm never cold."  "The mountain bikers are pushing Red to consider a 'high speed' lift for SilverLoad.  A fixed grip lift is $2 million-ish / a high speed is $8 million-ish".  "Yes January is the best snow month - you hit a stretch of bad luck".

Ed - I'll introduce you to Mr. Don't-Waste-That-Chili guy.

Last day tomorrow - Friday 1/30/26.  Probably only ride a half day.  Need to get back to Rossland to work on logistics for travel back to The Motor City.  So this will be the ultimate post.

BAD:  
Slow fixed grip lifts.  Strangely the last 10-days or so - I didn't notice it.  One lifty stated - "they've changed the gearing and motors on all lifts and they're significantly faster than a traditional slow-fixed-grip lift".  Not sure I buy that - but maybe.

GOOD:
A White desert.  There's not a soul at this place.  Least crowded resort I've ever been to.  Now -  I'm sure a good powder day draws crowds - but not on this trip.

Great job = Red Grooming Crew.  They recognized very early that off-piste and steep runs were un-ski-able.  They groomed everywhere.  Even grooming over mogul runs.  Thank you.

People of Rossland, BC - awesome town.  Better people.

LAST TIME TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE FIRST TIME:
Last three years I've done trips of 40; 30; and 20 days.  What's best?  mmmmmmm - I'm not sure.  I might need a full season to answer that question.  Will I come back to Red Mountain?  I think so / maybe.  If they add one new high-speed  - yes.

1st BEER: 
Sourdough Cafe - Tail Out Brewing Co. / Party Laps Hazy IPA 

PENULTIMATE RUN:
Top of Grey to Base.

Tunes:
The Black Crowes - Amorica  
Green Day - Insomniac 
 Honeymoon Suite / Big Prize (W.I.R)
Motley Crew / Dr.  Feel Good (John 5 - JSK and I will see you July 20, 2026 @ Pine Knob).

iTunes algorithm take over: 'Dreams - Van Halen'

RockOn

JAB


JABSportsUSA

Wednesday January 28, 2026 

Red Mountain, BC

JABSportsUSA

Day 17 of 17

9am Conditions:
25 degrees (F) base.  21 summit.  It snowed!  It's first appearance of the trip.  I would say a solid = 1 inch.  I'll take it.  The forecast looks promising for Thursday and Friday.  Hopefully a good way to end the trip.  The problem with only one inch - now all the rocks and roots are covered.  It's been easy to navigate the obstacles - until today.  My fancy new board is beat to h#ll.  The one inch was a quick Botox and filler injection - but the mountain needs a full facelift.  Hopefully coming the next two days.

Ran out of coffee and cream yesterday.  Just as well - both needed a serious upgrade.  Got off the bus in town for some shopping.  Why I didn't think of this earlier - The SilverFox has taught me a "great many things" — like Windsurfing, Kiteboarding, Tennis - and ohh yeah - Snowboarding — but — the most important lesson he taught this young padawan - Baileys as coffee cream.  I only have three more days and all they had was a giant bottle - which I bought.  What will I do?

1st BEER: 
Sourdough Cafe - Guinness

PENULTIMATE RUN:
Northern Belle to Base.

Tunes:
Guns N' Roses - Use Your Illusion II  
Triumph -    Just A Game (W.I.R - "I don't ask for much, the truth will do just fine" --- far—-very far—-from a 'poor man's Rush')
Pop Evil - War Inside of Me

iTunes algorithm take over: Boston - 'Cool The Engines'

RockOn

JAB

Tuesday January 27, 2026 

Red Mountain, BC

JABSportsUSA

Day 16 of 16

9am Conditions:
18 degrees (F) base.  23 summit.  Zero fresh snow.  Here's a sentence from the official Red Mountain morning snow report:

 "just a heads up but the groomers are where it's at! Smooth, fast, and all kinds of fun. Stick to the corduroy for some killer groomed run skiing as off-piste runs and steep terrain are not recommended at this time" 

That's reasonably honest.  If it's flat to somewhat-flat and facing the sun - your edges have a chance.  Everything else = no way.

READER MAIL!
Sorry about that - these have trickled in over the last week.
ARE YOU WORKING OUT?
For the third year in a row, I brought gym clothes.  For the third year in a row, they haven't left my suitcase.  I walk by a decent gym every morning on the way to the bus.  It's relatively infrequent to get injured working out.  That said - it has happened.  I'm not risking it.

ARE YOU USING A I TO WRITE THE BLOGS?
What gave it away?

WHAT PROTECTIVE GEAR ARE YOU WEARING?
Helmet.  I can't remember the last time I rode without a helmet.  
I wore a right elbow pad one day.  I should wear it.  Right elbow's been tender to the touch for over a decade.  I'll wear it tomorrow.                           -
I am wearing a fancy new knee brace.  I don't think there's any statistical efficacy of a knee brace.  There's a little mental impact.  This is very common in the Terrain Park - Slide up to a feature to get in line.  Everybody in line bends down and tightens their boots / bindings - I do too.  When I bend down - ahhh - I feel the brace —'mmmmm - maybe I shouldn't do this.'  Which has happened.  Big picture - no - I don't think a the brace does anything.

1st BEER: 
Rafters - Abandoned Rail Porter.

PENULTIMATE RUN:
Top of Paradise Chair to Base via Ridge Run.

Tunes:
John Mellencamp - Freedom's Road  "Well I can stand beside ideals I think are right  and i can stand beside the idea to stand and fight".  Thank you John - I'll see you July 16, 2026 @ Pine Knob.
INXS - Shabooh Shoobah
Bryan Adams / Cuts Like a Knife (W.I.R)
Mark Tremonti / The End Will Show Us How.

At the end of the day - once I finish an album - if there's less than an hour before last chair - I'll let the iTunes algorithm take over.  The first random song is always interesting:

AeroSmith - Last Child --- Just in case you think Brad Whitford always sits in the 'Second Chair' to Joe Perry.  Have a listen.  Better yet go to y o u t u b e :AeroSmith / Last Child Live / Sunrise FLA 2004.

My flock - consider yourself --- informed—---even more.

RockOn

JAB


Monday January 26, 2026 

Red Mountain, BC

JABSportsUSA

Day 15 of 15

9am Conditions:
12 degrees (F) base.  19 summit.  Zero fresh snow.  Not an inversion day - but still funky temps. (taken each morning from the Official Snow Report).  Wherever you were on the mountain - it was warm.  All morning on the Paradise Chair - which from Day 1 has had the best snow.  Afternoon on the Grey Mtn. Chair.  Conditions are challenging - but doable.  I rode all day.  1st on.  Last off.  If you're Apres-ing right now  - drinking your White Zinfandel and basking in the thought that you got the most runs in today -------- you didn't.

OnTheSnow:
OnTheSnow OnTheSnow OnTheSnow - I love you.  You had every reason and permission to shut me down after yesterday's post - but you didn't.  You did the Right Thing.  Not The Permissible.  Where have we heard that?  See JSK - I am rubbing off on people.  Thank you OnTheSnow.

A FEW MORE NUMBERS:
MotherLoad Chair Travel Time       13 minutes
Grey Chair Travel Time               13 minutes
Skis:Snowboards Parad. Lng. 1:15pm     42:14  75% skis
# of MB Sprinter Conv. Vans in both lots    5
# of Ford Transit Conv. Vans in both lots    4
Guinness can cost                                  $10CAD
Crowds                                                       0 
Lift Lines                            0

LESSON BY JAB:
Let's call him Mr. Don't-Waste-That-Chili.  I sat down with my $13CAD bowl of Chili for lunch.  A moment later - directly across from me sat Mr. Don't-Waste-That-Chili.  It's his 30th consecutive winter in Rossland.  Skis "over 50 days a year".                 "I'm from Detroit and here for three weeks".  The conversation quickly went to 'conditions'.  I said "it's been tough - but I'm still having fun".

For the next 20-minutes he berated me - "you came here for that long in January?" / "It's our worst month" / "I tell all my friends to come in Feb - been saying that for #30 years" / "you need to plan better" / "people from Detroit don't know $&(@ about the Mountains" (that was my favorite).

Now when I say 20-minutes (as measured by Detroit Watch Company Great Lakes Diver GMT), I mean 20-minutes.  He finally came up for air and took his first spoon-full of now tepid-chili.  I hated to do this - but it was such low hanging fruit.  I went to  = OnTheSnow / Red Mountain / Overview / scroll all the down = "well you've been wrong for at least 20-years -January's been Red's snowiest month for the last 20-years".

He stared at my phone for a good 30-seconds.  Stood up.  With his tray.  With his tepid chili.  Walked across the room to the trash.  I yelled "hey Mister Don't Waste That Chili."  In the trash it went.

1st BEER: 
Sourdough Cafe - Guinness. 

PENULTIMATE RUN:
Top of Grey Mountain to Base via Long May You Run / Rinos Way / Easy Street / Norther Belle - 14 minutes.

Tunes    L O C A L    B A N D    D A Y    PART DUEX:
"You Wanted the Best - You Got the Best" = 
QandA (Houston, TX) / Goldfish in A Glass (Spotify)
Mrs. Jones / Mirrors in the Trees (Mrs. Jones Detroit Spotify) 
Mrs. Jones / Live at The Old MIAMI
Anciients / Voice of the Void ( Vancouver, BC iTunes)
Elsie Binx / This is Elsie Binx (Elsie Binx Detroit, Spotify)
Elsie Binx/ Radio (Elsie Binx Detroit, Spotify)

My flock - consider yourself --- informed.

RockOn

JAB

Only groomed trail ok ,i have hit so many rock on it ,Damage my ski.20 trail no more , the rest of mountain  it open but very bad, ice ice ice, dangerous  209 $for this is a joke . The guide Catherine  Was very good.

Paul gendron

Sunday January 25, 2026 

Red Mountain, BC

JABSportsUSA
  
Day 14 of 14

9am Conditions:
9 degrees (F) base.  14 summit.  Zero fresh snow.  Inversion back - but it wasn't a problem. It has stayed cold day and night - using 'Plan B' (which is now OTC) to break the Thaw / Freeze gestation cycle has helped.  I checked my phone throughout the day; it was a steady 14°F all day, top, bottom and middle.  The ominous mid-mountain clouds returned.  I stayed on the lower mountain (SilverLoad & Topping Chairs) all morning.  It snowed Mid-mountain and lower - but to say it was a "dusting" is a stretch.

At 12noon I took MotherLoad to the top.  I know how Harry Potter felt when he stuck his head into the Perkins and Weasley tent.  At the summit - Brilliant Bluebird skies.  Crazy - two different planets.

SUETONIUS:
I'm here.  I'm having fun.  It will continue for another week.  At the same time, half of North America is in a deep freeze.  At the same time, Minneapolis, MN is under horrific stress.  Do I feel like I'm playing the fiddle and watching Rome burn?  Yes.  What can I do about it?  For the moment.........I'm not sure.....but I'll start by adding quotes to Day 5 of 5 Jan. 16, 2026.

"Do the Right Thing - not the Permissible Thing"  
JAB January 16, 2026.

"We, the people, are the boss, and we will get the kind of political leadership, be it good or bad, that we demand and deserve.”  
Senator John F. Kennedy September 13, 1960.

“Federalism.....provides powers not granted to the United States....are reserved to the States or to the people.....states bear the primary responsibility for defining and controlling criminal behavior.”
The Tenth Amendment to the United States 
Constitution, Thomas Burke December 15, 1791.

"Hey - it's my Blog"
JAB January 25, 2026.

I'm sorry OnTheSnow....I promise promise promise..this is the last one.  Back to regularly scheduled programming tomorrow?   Hopefully.

JAB

Saturday January 24, 2026 

Red Mountain, BC

JABSportsUSA

Day 13 of 13

9am Conditions:
12 degrees (F) base.  12 summit.  Zero fresh snow.  Another "normal day" in the mountains.  Brilliant Bluebird skies.  If it's not going to snow - I'll take the sunshine. Reviewing the morning grooming report is not a perfunctory act, but rather a compulsory act. Thank you, Red Mountain crew for grooming additional Blues each day.  I also saw groomers out in the morning - Amen!

Current Temps (F) from nearby locals (7pm Pacific time):
Rossland, BC        13
Gaylord, MI                  0
Detroit, MI           6
Breckenridge, CO         9
Oklahoma City, OK    10
Houston, TX          38
Tampa, FL            75

Rode all day.  It was good.  On the 8th Day - God made: Blue Groomers, Rock 'N Roll and Beer.  Makes me a believer.  Another note.....took longer than expected (12 days)........around Day 5 I was having doubts..........I debated resting a day...........but.........I'm in shape now.  I can feel it. Assuming a few joints hold-up - this last week will Rock.                                                                            
LESSONS BY JAB
"AL" from Toronto.  She's in Rossland for the season.  "Trying to ski everyday" - excellent.  1:41pm SilverLoad Chair.  AL is not a Blog Follower - had to bring her up-to-speed.  Come On AL - do you live in a cave?  There's....mmmmmmm..............I would say........#14 followers....Now you can be #15.  AL - as discussed, I'm on shaky ground with OnTheSnow.  I went on the website and read all the "Boiler Plate".  Here's the actual Text from Terms & Conditions / Section 6. / Paragraph (1)
"It is our policy to carefully review each...Firsthand Report.....posted on OnTheSnow to ensure appropriate language and content. Any review containing obscene, threatening, or potentially defamatory language must be removed."

Your question...and my honest answer......would get me booted.  Thank you for submitting another question.  Here's your answer.  Take your iPhone...click on the pre-loaded "Stock App"....type S&P 500.....scroll the Time Periods all the way left until you see......."ALL"...click on it.  Do you see….Black Monday Oct. 19, 1987.......Sept. 12, 2001.....The Great Recession Oct. 15, 2008....Covid Mar. 16, 2020...."Liberation Day" April 4, 2025?  These are the worst days since 1985.  Hard to see aren't they.  Why?  Because if you play the "long-game" (I don't "short" anything) -they're all just "blips".  

"AL" go back and read Jan 16, 2026 "Day 5" for your original question.  "AL" one more thing ---- welcome to the Flock!  Your life will never be the same.

1st BEER: 
Rafters - Abandoned Rail Porter.  Just tap me a mainline with a 24 / 7 drip of this stuff - I'll be better off. 

PENULTIMATE RUN:
Top of Grey Mountain to Base.

Tunes:
Royal Blood / Royal Blood
Royal Blood / Typhoons
Rush / Presto (W.I.R)
GretaVanFleet / From The Fires

RockOn

JAB


Friday January 23, 2026 

Red Mountain, BC

JABSportsUSA

Day 12 of 12.

9am Conditions:
14 degrees (F) base.  9 summit.  Zero fresh snow.  Look at that = a normal day in the mountains.  Cold at the Base.  Colder at the Summit.  Decent sunshine top and bottom.  A return to quasi normal conditions has made everything a little softer.  Unfortunately, selling my soul to the Devil didn't work = no fresh snow.  A casual day cruising the groomers.  

GEAR PATROL:
If you're not into snowboard gear - skip to Section 'D' of your 1040.

Head to Toe - ranking 1 (horrible) to 10 (perfect).  Ratings based on Performance, Durability and maybe just a little bit of looks.

Helmet     Giro Tor Spherical  = 3
Third season.  Paid roughly $225 (they're now $300USD).  Higher-end model.  It's comfortable.  Vents work great.  The problem - the Boa tightening system - if you bend down to tighten your bindings or make an aggressive snowboard move that hunches your shoulders - the Boa audibly loosens.  It just shouldn't.

Suit    Burton AK All GorTex  = 2
10th-ish season.  AK is the Top Top of the line / 100% GorTex.  New $800.  Purchased used on eBay - Amen - about $300.  Bought to do one thing - repel rain and wet snow.  20-minutes in the rain - I'm soaked to my base layer.  Junk.  It fits wells and looks cool (to me) saving it from a -1- rating.

Boots     Burton Photons Boa = 2
I have zero brand loyalty to Burton - I just know a Size -9- Burton fits me perfectly.  Photons are smacked in the middle of the price chart and a -6- stiffness rating.  Third season.  End of last season (2nd for these boots) the side Boa Knob (tightens the lower boot) broke off.  Also, the boots went to a mushy -1- stiffness after only two years.  Warranty is One Year.  I called Burton and got a real human.  Even though I was past warranty - they seemed to be willing to listen - until they asked "how many days used last two years?" - I told them the truth - which was alot.  "Sorry JAB you're SOL".  They sent me the replacement parts for the Boa - like replacing the spool on your weed whacker - only 100x harder.  I'm using them now - but this will be the last season.

Bindings    Flow Carbon Fuse = 7
Love and a little Hate Relationship.  Third Season.  I think it was my fault the high-back hinge broke last week.  The bolt wasn't seeded all the way in - I thought I checked it before day one - but maybe not.  Still sometimes struggle to get my boot all the way in.  I've been loosening the toe strap to get my boot in - then ratcheting it down.  Which defeats the purpose of a quick entry binding.  The performance is great.  I'll keep them until the cables break - which they will.

Board   Capita SUPER D.O.A. = 8
I try not to get caught-up in the hype - but boy - I drank the cool-aid out of the fire hose.  Bought at the end of last season.  Crazy high-end.  Crazy expensive.  As DeadPool says "Worth It!".  First fully cambered board in #10-plus years.  Missile.  Gets mad when you ride causally.  Not a -9- or -10- - it's just the first season - we'll see how it holds-up.  Also - never been in powder.  It's a true true twin.  Just the opposite of a powder board.  Need a powder day to make sure it's a "Quiver Killer Board".

How many of my #10 followers did I lose with today's posting?   'Care-All' — you still with us?
1st BEER: 
Rossland F.O.B - Okanagan Pale Ale 

PENULTIMATE RUN:
Top of Grey Mountain to Base.

Tunes:
U2 / All That You Can't Leave Behind
Bruce Springsteen / Tunnel of Love
Hollywood Vampires / Rise

RockOn

JAB

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