Red Mtn VS. Whitewater

Hey everyone,

I know that the combination of last years BC summit and Rossland/Fernie locals who post here mean there is a wealth of knowledge about this. How do these two mountains and the twon towns near which they reside compare. How does terrain, snow quantity and quality, and just overall skiing experience compare. I know talking about real estate is a bit of a taboo around here, but my parents are thinking about investing in something around either one of these mountains, so any info about them would be great. Thanks

-Ben

Try here

First you should bring your parents breakfast in bed. Then be sure to thank them everyday for the rest of your life.

JR said it all. In my experience (which is only 1, last year) The snow at WH2O is way better but Red is far more expansive.

I am now finished reiterating, and you have your giddy backflips to get back to.:D

Thanks, now, anyone else care to chime in?

-Ben

The snow and terrain has been covered, but the towns neglected.

Nelson, close to WH2O wins hands down. Nicer town, on a lake, no contest in my book. Then again, I'm only a tourist.

Red is being developed so on-mountain living is a possibility and a better investment.

Whitewater is pure skiing so you have to live in Nelson or Ymir or Salmo. In any case you have to drive to the ski hill.

I'm a big fan of staying on-mountain.

Populations:
Nelson - 9,300
Salmo - 1,200
Ymir - 220
Rossland - 3,600

If you like boating, Nelson is on Kootenay Lake.

I could see living in Nelson or Rossland.

Be prepared for off the fucking charts property taxes. Rossland's are the highest in B.C. with Nelson right in the running (house/property assessed at ~$60k, taxes ~$2500). Less snow to shovel in Nelson. A lot more freaks & mentally unstable people in Nelson. My wife is a probation officer in the area and sees them all, Nelson has a higher crime rate than Rossland per capita by alot. Rossalnd is close to the biggest lead/zinc smelter in the world. That alone is reason enough to seriously consider Nelson. If they do decide they want to buy in Rossland I have one of the nicest lots in town with one of the shittiest houses in town: I'll bulldoze it and buiild to thier specs for the right price.

This guy lives in Nelson

http://www.schirmer.com/composers/brubeck.gif

I just got back from rossland. (69th place) and that place is awsome. tons of skiing at red and snowmobiling everywhere.

To be honest. It's a win/win situation. They are both places I dream about at night. Killer skiing everywhere there. As Truth would say: "just go, you'll see":D

Just came back from Red. God I love skiing breakable rain crust! Just watched the final day of the Red Freeskiing Comp, well at least a little of it, as it was foggy once again. I guess it's prolly just me, but I'd say at least 80% of the time I go over there, it's foggy, and half of that so foggy you can't see ten feet. Those guys/gals in the comp should be commended, as the conditions on Roberts were brutal.

If you want to live close, Rosslands the place.

If your into lift accessed touring, like pow, and don't mind that the runs aren't long, go for Nelson.

Expect real estate to be higher in Nelson than Rossland, but with the supposed purchase of Red, Rossland's will rise.

If I was you I'd go for Rossland. Being that I'm a "freak", I'll stay here;)

Ok, slight change in the question here. After some more deliberation, we have ruled out the Whitewater/Nelson area, given how far Nelson is from the hill. So now the two choices are Red Mountain still, and Fernie. I know that there is a fairly large contingent of Fernie maggots here, so post up anything you can. Once again, basics are, terrain type and quality, snowfall quantity and quality, frequency of rain, how the towns compare. Any info you can share would be great. Thanks.

-Ben

Quote:

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Originally posted by glademaster02
I know that there is a fairly large contingent of Fernie maggots here, so post up anything you can. Once again, basics are, terrain type and quality, snowfall quantity and quality, frequency of rain, how the towns compare. Any info you can share would be great. Thanks.

-Ben

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chexk this out: http://far.redtree.com/cgi-bin/far/index.py

weather data and pictures from the last 9years.
ferniefreeheels from poderboard might help you too.

Quote:

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Originally posted by glademaster02
Ok, slight change in the question here. After some more deliberation, we have ruled out the Whitewater/Nelson area, given how far Nelson is from the hill. So now the two choices are Red Mountain still, and Fernie. I know that there is a fairly large contingent of Fernie maggots here, so post up anything you can. Once again, basics are, terrain type and quality, snowfall quantity and quality, frequency of rain, how the towns compare. Any info you can share would be great. Thanks.

-Ben

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Fernie hand down!!!

Thanks Xover, but for what reasons? What makes Fernie so superior to Red? Sorry if I'm askin a lot of questions, but this is stuff we kind of need to know,

-Ben

The town Fernie is very redneck. Just a thought.

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Originally posted by Beaver
The town Fernie is very redneck. Just a thought.

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Compared to Nelson every city /town in BC except for Van and Victoria are red neck. Though I've heard that there is a backlash against outsiders in Fernie by some locals.


Glade guy, I'm a bit confused, are you just looking for on the hill real estate to use for a week or two and rent out into a no hassle rental pool the rest or a place you'll use quite a bit 4 seasons? Fernie on the hill condo or whatever you'll have limited local exposure other than going into town to a resturant where the waiter will be a Aussie or kiwee.

Ymir that's your ticket. Hang in the Ymir saloon. In the summer hang with the bikers. Not too far from Wh20 and close to backcountry. Interesting place.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Beaver
The town Fernie is very redneck. Just a thought.

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That is changing actually, although I'd still like to choke the goof who reported me for an usafe lane change while we were on the way to the wedding in Calgary. The population is slowly changing from predominantly resource based redneck jobs to more tourist based jobs. It will always be the East Kootenays though with an abundance of hunters, loggers and miners.

Why you would give up so easily on Nelson, when WH2O is five minutes up the road, and considering the benefits of a cool town and all of the BC available from there, is beyond me.

But it's your - errrrr - your parents' money.

Quote:

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Originally posted by iceman
Why you would give up so easily on Nelson, when WH2O is five minutes up the road, and considering the benefits of a cool town and all of the BC available from there, is beyond me.

But it's your - errrrr - your parents' money.

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5 Min? Shit, and I thought I drove fast. You must be a fucking psycho on the road. I thought 15 min. was an extreemly fast trip. It usually takes 20-25 min.

Quote:

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Originally posted by iceman
Why you would give up so easily on Nelson, when WH2O is five minutes up the road, and considering the benefits of a cool town and all of the BC available from there, is beyond me.

But it's your - errrrr - your parents' money.

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Well it's not quite 5 mins from town, try 20, let the boy go where he pleases. Rossland is the ticket ;) !

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Originally posted by powderpyg
Well it's not quite 5 mins from town, try 20, let the boy go where he pleases. Rossland is the ticket ;) !

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Such a strong Rossland push from a Nelson local? What are you hiding, Pyg? Dubious...;)

Our main reason for throwing Nelson out of the running is that we are looking for something either ski-in/ski-out or within walking distance to the slopes, nothing like that Exists at Whitewater. Besides, if we buy a lagre enough place it could be a potential maggot crash pad?!? Wouldnt you rather be ski-in/ski-out than having to drive?

-Ben

Quote:

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Originally posted by glademaster02
Our main reason for throwing Nelson out of the running is that we are looking for something either ski-in/ski-out or within walking distance to the slopes, nothing like that Exists at Whitewater. Besides, if we buy a lagre enough place it could be a potential maggot crash pad?!? Wouldnt you rather be ski-in/ski-out than having to drive?

-Ben

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Yuppers, I'm down wit that, then I won't have to drive an hour to Red, and could get hosed at the hill bar, an stumble to my bed. So, Red it is then, I got dibs on any spare bed!

Honc, I can't believe you would say that about me, you know I'm a straight up kinda guy, that wouldn't try to steer someone wrong. I showed you guys my stash, didn't I...or did I really! You'll have come back to see.

Throw another vote in for Fernie. I grew up going to Fernie quite a bit and have seen all the huge changes that have gone on ther eover the last few years. The hills is amazing and gets a ton of snow. Lots of powder days to be had here. Only problems I've had at Fernie are to due with the temps. I don't know how many times I've been burned driving out to Fernie on a friday night after a week of watching 40" plus snowfall pile up on the hill all week and having the snow turn to rain on the way into town.

When Fernie's on, it's fantastic! Great terrain and lots of fresh deep powder. Just don't be suprised with a bit of rain ruining your fun from time to time.

I have no info. on Red or Whitewater unfortunately. I'll get out that way at the first opportunity though. I've heard nothing but great reviews from people who lived in and around Nelson.