RED Mountain Homes has launched Wildwood, its third residential development at the base of RED Mountain Resort, as part of a long-term vision to transform the Rossland, B.C. ski destination into a four-season mountain community. 

Featuring 53 residences ranging from one to four bedrooms, Wildwood offers about 650 to 1,550 square feet of indoor living space, with each home having a private balcony and select residences with a private hot tub.

Owners and guests will also have access to an indoor-outdoor wellness zone with a sauna, fitness centre and year-round pool and hot tub.

The condominium project follows the near completion of the 89-unit Daly development and the ongoing 78-unit Glades townhouse project, with the partners planning about 1,000 additional residential, hotel and single-family units over the next decade or more.

The first phase of the Glades project will include 33 residences which with completion starting late this fall.

Master plan goes beyond winter appeal

RED Mountain Resort is Western Canada’s oldest ski resort and one of North America’s largest, with 3,850 acres of terrain, nearly 3,000 feet of vertical and tree skiing across five peaks. It is located approximately three kilometres from Rossland in the Kootenays.

David Evans, managing director of RED Mountain Homes, said the residence projects are guided by a master resort plan established two decades ago that aims to expand the resort beyond its traditional winter appeal. 

"There's a master resort plan in place that was established in 2004, 2005, and it's really the formulation of a four-season mountain resort," Evans said.

The project is a collection of neighbourhoods in and around the base of RED Mountain, minutes from Rossland’s historic downtown, 30 minutes from Trail Regional Airport and a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Spokane International Airport.

Each RED Mountain Homes development will offer access to the lifts for year-round mountain adventure and walkable, pedestrian-oriented streets. 

Evans said buyers have largely been families purchasing vacation homes with short-term rental potential, attracted by the year-round lifestyle. 

While RED Mountain has long been known for skiing, he said many owners discover a broader appeal after arriving. "People tend to join the Rossland and RED community based on a winter decision, but then fall in love with the Kootenays for all seasons," he said.

RED Mountain Homes is a partnership with RED Mountain Resort and Chris and David Evans. The homes division began about three years ago.

Homes are drawing interest from U.S.

“We're seeing new, emerging people joining the community, many from the United States. Spokane is probably the largest, closest population,” Evans said. 

“Predominantly we've seen families (as buyers). Age demographics are sort of mid-40s to 60. Growing families.

"It's a vacation home with the ability for some short-term rental, as it's zoned. People are buying it first, predominantly as a vacation home, and secondly with the ability to provide some income through a short-term rental program.”

Some buyers are seeking year-round homes, however, occasional occupancy is popular. 

“Some retirees will spend a handful of months there and then not, so it'll be kind of a semi-permanent second home. Many are just weekenders or holiday-type vacation rentals,” he added.

Deliberate growth

Wildwood officially broke ground in late June.

"We are very deliberate about how RED grows,” said Mark Schroetel, president of RED Mountain Resort, in a statement. "The goal is not simply to add more buildings or more people, but to ensure each step improves the overall experience.

"The Wildwood groundbreaking and The Daly opening are examples of that approach - adding accommodation, supporting visitation and building a stronger four-season community without losing what makes RED so special.

"The Wildwood adds important new accommodation to RED and strengthens the foundation for continued resort growth, increased visitation and future investment in the mountain.”

RED Mountain Resort, which says it's the ninth largest resort in North America, also has an area called Caldera where single-family homes are being built. A limited collection of 16 ready-to-build homesites are available. They are a five-minute walk to the ski lift and a five-minute drive to downtown Rossland.

The lots are starting at $305,000. They are available for immediate possession with new home construction able to start right away.

Buyers can bring their own builder or choose from a list of preferred builders, which includes: Seib Construction, Wirewood Construction, Hanna Creek Construction, DJM Contracting, Severin Built Ltd, Seven Summits Contracting, Hamill Creek Timber Homes, Purcell Timber Frames, Built Prefab, Discovery Dream Homes, Forte Projects and Menelaws Contracting.