Cat Skiing
Cat Skiing BC, Canada - ReviewsCat skiing is paradise for powderhounds. In Canada, typically only the local Canadians go snowcat skiing and the ignorance of others is their bliss. The Canadians obviously know they’ll get a great powder skiing experience, but the secret is slowly leaking out!
What is cat skiing?Snow cats are large grooming style machines that transport about 14 skiers and snowboarders up to backcountry areas in a purpose built cabin. Whilst skiers and snowboarders are guided down fresh powder runs, the cat makes its way back to the bottom to pick them up to take them on the next run. Most cat ski operators have exclusive access to a large ski area that’s big enough to ensure riders always have fresh tracks.
Benefits of Snowcat SkiingCat skiing in Canada provides some of the best powder skiing possible. Thousands of hectares of deep dry powder that is untouched - this is what avid powderhounds dream of.
Why snowcat ski rather than resort ski?
- Cat skiing offers an opportunity to get away from congestion and crowds at the ski resorts. At the majority of resorts you have to race to get the first lift, and the freshies have disappeared by 10am.
- Sure cat skiing is a little more expensive than a lift ticket, but most who have cat skied would prefer to spend a little more and get more quality turns for their money.
- Ducking the ropes may lead to confiscation of your lift pass, or you may get lost and end up a long way from a lift.
Benefits of cat-skiing over ski touring
- With ski touring, only the super-human (and young) has the fitness and endurance to hike.
- The ratio of up-time to down-time is completely skewed in the wrong direction.
- You have to be very knowledgeable regarding backcountry touring, be well equipped with avalanche and other safety gear, and be self-sufficient. When cat skiing you can largely rely on the expertise of multiple guides, and rely on radio communication.
- Cat skiing is guided, so there’s no fear of getting lost.
Why snow-cat ski rather than heli-ski?
- Heli-skiing has grounded days where the helicopters can’t fly due to the weather conditions. Cats can still go out in this weather, and when the powder is falling is when you most want to be out there skiing.
- It is much cheaper to go cat skiing (about half the cost).
- Cat operators manage and know an area so well, which adds to the safety element. Snowmobiles can be used to implement snow testing and slope stabilization measures.
- You get a bit of a rest between runs where you can relax, warm up and dry out in the cat. You don’t have to share the cat with other groups (unlike with heli-skiing) so you can leave a back-pack in the machine with snacks and drinks, and if someone gets tired, they can always sit out for a run. You still get to cover plenty of vertical when cat skiing.
Where is Cat Skiing?Cat-skiing was pioneered in the Kootenay Rockies over 25 years ago and British Columbia, Canada, continues to be the home of cat skiing.The main mountain ranges for cat skiing include the Rockies, Monashees, Selkirks, Purcells and Valhallas which are renowned for large quantities of light dry powder. The snowfall in the cat skiing areas is phenomenal, with an average of 12-18 metres snowfall annually. Compare that to Lake Louise that only gets 3.6 metres.
Due to the legendary snowfall, the area in the south-east corner of British Columbia has been called the Powder Triangle. There’s a bit of debate as to how far the triangle extends, but it includes the cat skiing areas of Rossland (
Big Red Cats, near
Red Mountain resort), Nelson (near
Whitewater ski resort) and Fernie, and possibly extends to Meadow Creek, Revelstoke (near
Revelstoke ski resort), and Golden (near
Kicking Horse).There are also a couple of cat operations near
Whistler including
Powder Mountain.
See our
comparison of cat ski operations in Canada for more information regarding the location of cat skiing in BC.
SafetyThe discipline of cat skiing is not without risks considering that it occurs in the uncontrolled remote backcountry. Severe weather and avalanches are some of the hazards. Guides know the terrain very well which lessens the risks, and they can select tree-skiing terrain on days of higher risk. All good cat operators provide highly qualified lead and tail guides to accompany the cat skiing group.
Types of Cat SkiingSome operators such as
Valhalla Powdercats offer single day trips, but many only offer multi-day packages ranging from 2 to 7 days. Accommodation may be in a small town (e.g. Ymir for
Wildhorse Cat Skiing), or alternatively the operator may use an exclusive remote lodge.
Single day trips typically cost about $400 per day in high season. Multi-day packages that include accommodation and meals cost anywhere from $450 to $1000 per day depending upon the degree of luxury. Many offer discounted stand-by rates if there is availability at the last minute.
Most operators can accommodate differing ability levels (from strong intermediates to experts), but if they only operate one cat, then the ability level on a particular day is dictated by the first person to book. An exception to this is
Big Red Cats who run up to 3 cats, so can provide different levels each day. A couple of operators only cater to the extreme rider with mandatory drop-offs galore. You might think you’re an expert skier until you compare yourself to some of the Canadian locals. You might want to double check the type of terrain on offer prior to booking.
See the
Canada cat skiing comparison for more information about different cat skiing packages and to compare snowfall, size of terrain and cost.
Where is the Best Cat Skiing?
When choosing the best cat ski operation for your next snow holiday, everyone has different factors that are important in the decision making process. For some the choice is largely based on location, but for others it may be about the quality of the tree skiing, the amount of expert terrain, the emphasis on safety, or value for money. To help you choose the best cat skiing experience for you, we have provided ratings on various operations in Canada, USA, New Zealand and Chile, and broken the ratings into various determinants including the most important factor of all….the powder! See our
Powderhounds cat ski and heli skiing ratings for more information.
Go Cat SkiingIn 2007 a large survey of cat skiing and heli-skiing was commissioned in BC Canada. The survey results speak volumes – 98% of first time cat skiers indicated that they plan to go cat skiing again. Once experienced, forever addicted.
Listings
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Selkirk Wilderness Skiing - Meadow Creek
Where cat skiing began in 1975. SWS has over 35 years to refine its operation to what it is today; nothing short of what could be the ultimate cat skiing adventure in the world!
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Wildhorse Cat Skiing - Ymir (Nelson)
Do the wild-thing and go cat skiing with Wildhorse - yeehaa!!! Located in Ymir only 20 minutes from Nelson. Alpine bowls and naturally gladed trees.; not to mention the dry & abundant Kootenay powder.
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Valhalla Cat Skiing - Nelson
Terrific terrain with alpine bowls, chutes, cliffs, drop-offs and some terrific gladed tree runs. Located near Nelson. Go for a day or book an entire week.
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Retallack Cat Skiing - Nelson
This is cat skiing for the hard-core experienced skier & boarder; intermediates need not apply! Very steep terrain & tight trees. However if you are up to it, the riding is awesome and the POW is deep; very deep!!
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Fernie Wilderness Adventures (FWA)
FWA has some spectacular terrain with steeps, tight trees, cliffs and natural obstacles to huck-off. But don't let that scare you; it is also well suited to intermediate skiers & boarders.
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Island Lake Catskiing - Fernie
Cat skiing at its finest! Luxury cats, luxury lodges and beautifully gladed runs. Don't leave your wife at home for this one; it is very cruisy skiing in deep powder and deluxe all the way.
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Revelstoke Cat Skiing
Located at Revelstoke resort. Steep alpine bowls and steep tight trees. Huge annual snowfall of deep dry powder. Caters well for advanced and strong intermediate skiers & boarders.
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Big Red Cats - Red Mountain (Rossland)
18,500 acres to choose your next turn! You definitely won't ski all that POW in a day so make sure you book at least 3. BRCs have terrain to suit all levels.
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Powder Mountain Catskiing
Get picked up from Whistler village. Every day is a powder day with Powder Mountain Cat Skiing. No crowds, just pristine un-tracked powder runs.
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