HI RED Mountain, Nowhere Special — Hotel in Rossland

Firstly, I'd like to commend the folks of Red for having a low cost hostel right on-site. I appreciate any ski town with budget friendly options outside of the 5 star resort experiences, especially ones right on the hill (unheard of). However, there were many shortfalls during my stay that held back the experience. I've stayed in a lot of hostels, and this one is by no means the worst of them, but it's certainly not perfect. It has great potential, but unfortunately the execution fell short. I visited on a long holiday weekend, and honestly expected it to be more packed. It was busy, but not unbearable. I came to learn that "busy" for Rossland is very different from places like Banff or Whistler, in a good way.

Gripes: The mandatory self check in procedure wasn't exactly made clear ahead of arrival. The front desk was never staffed, so you have to read the email to get a code for a safe, which has a check-in package for everyone checking in that day. This made things a bit awkward. The staff stood by in the lobby watching me look confused until I noticed the email with the instructions and never said a word to me, not very welcoming. NEED more fridge space - the staff monopolize over half of the available fridge space. There are two large fridges, but one is dedicated to the staff, including another shelf in the second fridge. I didn't notice the "Staff" sign and someone took the liberty to move my food to another fridge even though it was tucked in the back corner out of the way, cool. The front desk was never staffed throughout my stay. There was a phone you could presumably call them with, but it was never staffed by default, and it felt like a hassle to call. The burners in the kitchen are very low powered, so takes a long time to heat anything. They need to be on max to get anything done. There is also no real oven, just a toaster oven, strange for an "industrial" kitchen. There were no labels/pens available in the kitchen for labelling food. I'd imagine some of the fridge space is taken up by old expired food without labels, but no one is going in and clearing it out daily like other hostels do. The kitchen was often very busy, messy and unmanaged. It appeared to be cleaned/maintained once a day, presumably mid day, so it was always a mess for the morning breakfast rush from dinner the night before. Gross sinks with food scraps and dirty dishes, full garbages, and no clean dish towels each morning. The kitchen really needs to be services when closing each night so it's fresh and ready to go in the morning. The common areas could be more comfortable, the furniture is impractical and doesn't facilitate socialization. There are no real events or games to bring people together. There were signs up suggesting games were available at the front desk, but again, the desk was never staffed. Also no events like many other hostels. CHILDREN - Several families with noisy boisterous children arrived on the second day, monopolizing the shared spaces jumping on furniture and playing soccer inside. I've never seen so many children in a hostel, it seemed like 4 or 5 families who all met there with quite young kids I'd say 7-12yo. There were no staff to intervene for the comfort of the other guests so they just did what they wanted. There should be a minimum age requirement of 14 to stay, hostels are not meant for families, they just dominate the space. The dorm rooms were fine, I like the layout, but the shower space did have hair on many surfaces, even after "cleanings".

I'd love to come back if at least some of these items were addressed, and I really value having the hostel option on the ski hill. lots of potential, but a couple missing pieces on execution, mainly...

This place is a short walk from the slopes. I parked my car on Sunday and didn’t visit it for a week. The rooms are small for four. Although, most of the time it was two of us, which worked out great. The kitchen was great once to figure out the range top and dishwasher. Lots of refrigerator space and cubbies for storing your food. I recommend meals cooked on a stove top and microwave. There is a toaster oven, but it’s not a full oven. The bedding was quite comfortable once you get settled in. The gear room is great as you never have to lug gear through the lobby and it’s got ski racks, cubbies for you shoes and a locker (bring your own lock) for your helmet and other gear. Limited parking in the front, but if you proceed down the back of the hostel, there was plenty of space there even on family day weekend (President’s Day in the US). There is ample common areas. There was always a place that you could get away even during a holiday weekend. All and all a...

Very good bunk beds and roomy dorms. Lots of space and storage for gear. Outside covered bbq area for winter and summer is great idea. One thing I’d change / improve is the living/ reception area, as the furniture isn’t fit for purpose . It need more sofas and chairs . Also the interior design is very poor visually. Currently looks like a failed art student who never stayed in a hostel designed the living/reception area. Also I’m guessing not many guest right now as I was one of two people staying and it looks like the cleaning of bathrooms in reception area had been let go abit. Almost like they had lots of people in on the weekend but hadn’t got around to cleaning yet. Obviously in a busy hostel that is done daily. But room was clean and so was the shower and toilet...