Rossland, British Columbia — A new era is set to begin at RED Mountain Resort.
Last week, RED Mountain Resort announced a leadership change. Howard Katkov, the ski resort’s long-time CEO, is set to leave his position after 22 years. Some of the highlights during Katkov’s tenure include making RED one of the ten largest ski resorts on the continent and a four-season destination. Don Thompson, who’s the President of the ski resort, will also step down from his role. However, both Katkov and Thompson plan to remain as part of the Board, with Katkov serving as Chairman.
The next President of RED has three decades of leadership experience in the ski industry. Mark Schroetel has spent 15 years at Bear Creek Mountain Resort as General Manager, then went on to be the President and General Manager at Powder Mountain. He will assume the role on July 6, 2025. For Schroetel, he’s been dreaming for a long time about working in the Kootenays.
“I’ve always been drawn to the Kootenays,” said Mark Schroetel. “In fact, I brought my dad here for his 60th birthday and returned to RED as a reward for completing my first year as a GM over two decades ago. When this opportunity came up, it felt like destiny. During a recent visit, my wife looked at me and said she’s never seen me so happy in the 16 years we’ve been together. I responded, ‘This is where I belong.’ I’m incredibly honored to join the team at RED and can’t wait to put down roots in Rossland. This is more than a job—it’s a commitment to community, to authenticity, and to keeping the dream of independent skiing alive.”
“For 22 years, I’ve poured my heart into this mountain,” said Howard Katkov. “Not to build a cookie-cutter resort, but to protect something real. RED stands for independence, character, and community. I couldn’t pass that legacy to just anyone. In Mark, I see someone who gets it—who understands that RED’s success lies in its authenticity, not in conforming to the status quo. I’m thrilled to support him as we take RED into its next chapter.”
It’s going to be a busy summer at RED Mountain. RED’s lift-serviced mountain biking park, with trails created by Gravity Logic, had its grand opening on June 21st. In the wintertime, the British Columbia ski resort is home to 3,850 acres of skiable terrain and a vertical drop of roughly 2919 feet. Various real estate developments are also underway, including The Wildwood neighborhood.
Image/Video Credits: RED Mountain Resort
