Rossland

Rossland was named by a miner, Ross Thompson, who staked a claim in 1890. He had tried to call the city Thompson, but he was advised that there was already a town with that name.

By plane

Rossland does not have its own airport, however there are a few regional airports nearby that offer relatively easy access to Rossland either by road or by shuttle.

• Castlegar Municipal Airport is owned and operated by the city of Castlegar. Castlegar Municipal Airport is 36 km from Rossland and offers regular service from Vancouver and Calgary with Air Canada.
• Kelowna International Airport is the largest Canadian airport that has access to shuttle service to Rossland.
• Spokane International Airport is the closest and only airport in the USA which has access to shuttle service to Rossland.
• Trail Regional Airport is just south of Trail and is the closest airport to Rossland. Allowing easy access to local public transit Trail Regional Airport is one of the best options for travellers looking to reach Rossland on a budget. The airport offers direct service from Vancouver through Pacific Coastal Airlines.

Airport shuttle

• Red Mountain Express Shuttle. In the winter, on behalf of Red Mountain Resorts, Adrenaline Adventures operates a shuttle from all four of the above airports, however they operate on a reservation-only basis.

By bus

No long distance bus companies offer bus service into Rossland, however it is still fairly simple to reach Rossland by bus.

• Kootenay Boundary Transit a regional division of BC Transit runs direct public bus trips to Rossland from Trail. A single adult fare costs $2. (Route 6 Map & Schedule).

Rossland is a small enough place that everything can easily be reached by foot, however be prepared to deal with some steep hills. Alternatively, traffic is light enough that driving throughout the town is quite painless. Keep an eye open, however, as the locals jaywalk quite frequently. Watch out for rogue mountain bikes as well.

Rossland Mining Museum & Gold Mine Tour artifacts and photos from historic Rossland and an underground tour of the old Le Roi Gold Mine that last operated in 1929. A British Columbia Information Centre is also here. Mine tours run from May to August. The museum has winter hours. There is also a "Ski Wing" at the museum. See their website for details.
There are a number of fine old historic buildings in Rossland including the Old Firehall, the old Bank of Montreal building, the Rossland Post Office, the Miners' Hall and the Court House. The Court House was designated a Canadian National Historic Site in 1980. Have a look at these buildings during your walk around town. A Walking Tour brochure is available from the Visitor Centre. Back in 1897, there were 4 banks, 42 saloons, a couple of newspapers and a population of 7000, during the height of the mining activity in the area.

If it's not skiing season, then it's biking season in Rossland.

• Mountain biking - The usual bikers' endearments apply here - sweet, gnarly, rad.... There are lots of trails suitable for biking, far too many to mention here. All-day bike shuttles are available for a modest cost from Adrenalin Adventures. To learn about the opportunities for biking, get a trail map at Revolution Cycle 2044 Columbia Ave (+1 250-362-5688) (talk to Tyler). The Seven Summits Trail is an IMBA "epic trail". More information is available from Kootenay Columbia Trails Society

• Cross Country SkiingAt Nancy Green Lake (Nancy Green Provincial Park) and the neighbouring Blueberry-Paulson summit area, about 25 km from Rossland near the junction of Hwy 3 and 3b.

• Downhill skiingAt Red Mountain Resort. On a powder day, the runs on Red and Granite Mountains will be busy but 4 big lifts plus a T-bar and a Magic Carpet for the kids will keep things moving.

Festivals

• Rossland Mountain Film FestivalA four day film-festival that focuses on local talent. In mid- November.

• Rossland Winter CarnivalAdvertised as Canada's Oldest Winter Carnival. It's held at the end of January and features (among other activities) bobsled races down the steepest residential streets in town. Some locals start building their sleds in late fall, all in an effort to celebrate life in the crater of an ancient volcano.

• Rossland Old Fire Hall Jazz FestivalAt the end of September. The first annual festival was held in 2009.

Rossland has one of the best local grocery stores around in Ferraro Foods, a book store, some clothing stores, ski stores... with most of the basics the visitor could need.

• Idgie's Fine Foods and Misty Mountain Pizza

  address: 1999 Second Ave
  Good food and lots of it - between $20 and $30 for entrees. Whole pizzas or by the slice. Misty Mtn is located behind Idgie's.

• Village Restaurant

  phone: +1 250 362-3390
  address: 2032 Columbia
  Serves Chinese and Western foods.
• Gabriella's Apres Ski Restaurant, a small Italian-style restaurant at Red Mountain Resort (Mountain View Rd).
• The Gypsy at Red also at Red Mountain Resort.

• Grind- Urban Heritage CoffeehouseCome here for a breakfast or lunch that excels in quality and quantity. Almost no one can finish a meal to themselves- take home half for dinner. A variety of baked goods available. Relaxed atmosphere, great magazine collection.

• Rafters - built of reclaimed timbers from a local mine. A great place for the apres ski crowd. Located on level 3 of the main ski lodge at Red Mountain Resort.

• The Flying Steamshovel

  address: 2003 2 Avenue
  One of Rossland's original landmarks, The Flying Steamshovel is built on the site of the very first helicopter flight in North America. Underneath the bar there is also a cold beer and wine store.
• The Rock Cut is between Rossland and Red Mtn Resort on Hwy 3B. Has a reputation for great wings along with your drinks and can often be open when other establishments are closed.

• The Lions Campground on Hwy 3b south towards Patterson just out of town. Has 15 to 20 sites in a nice location.

• Angela's B&B

  address: 1520 Spokane St

• Creekside at Red

  address: Creekside Terrace
  The Mountain homes at "Creekside at Red" offer Red Mountain/Rossland's finest choice for the adventure minded visitor.

• The Flying Steamshovel

  address: 2003 2 Ave

• Mountain Shadow Travelers Lodge (Hostel)

  phone: +1 250-362-7160
  address: 2125 Columbia Ave
  Located on the main street in downtown Rossland upstairs. Has both private rooms and dorms for a 40 person occupancy. Has kitchen, patio, pay laundary machines, good WiFi, and 5 common areas with TV (satelite & Netflix), pool table, and darts.

• Casa Alpina Hotel

  address: Junction of Hwy 22 & 3B
  Quiet hotel rooms in a beautiful surrounding a few kilometres from Red Mountain Resort and downtown Rossland. All rooms, kitchenettes, and suites have cable television, refrigerator and wireless Internet access. Some are equipped with in-room coffee and A/C. Price includes complimentary continental breakfast.

• Red Mountain CondoAn 1100 sq ft room at the base in Red Resort. It is fully furnished and equipped with beautiful furniture. Sleeps 4 adults and 2 children.

The Rossland Library has Internet access.
Free WiFi is available at Clanceys Coffee Shop (with great baking to go with your surfing).

• Kootenay Boundary Transit a regional division of BC Transit runs direct public bus trips from Rossland to Trail. From Trail, Kootenay Boundary Transit offers connections to Castlegar, Genelle, and Sunningdale. A standard adult fare is $2 for all routes except when travelling to Castlegar. To travel to Castlegar the fare is $2.50. Kootenay Boundary Transit Map