• Overall Rating
White Grizzly4.9 out of 5 based on 6 reviews
 
White Grizzly Cat Skiing
White Grizzly Cat Skiing
A superb authentic Canadian lodge
A superb authentic Canadian lodge
Steep open glades
Steep open glades
Plenty of pillows & cliffs to huck off
Plenty of pillows & cliffs to huck off
White Grizzly Cat Skiing - steep & deep
White Grizzly Cat Skiing - steep & deep
Only 12 guests at any time
Only 12 guests at any time
Supreme Kootenay snow
Supreme Kootenay snow
Well spaced trees in places
Well spaced trees in places
Open bowls with endless pillow lines
Open bowls with endless pillow lines
Ah, taste that powder
Ah, taste that powder
No need to conserve the snow..plenty of fresh lines for all
No need to conserve the snow..plenty of fresh lines for all
I hope I can still do this when I am 72 like this fellow!
I hope I can still do this when I am 72 like this fellow!
More deep open spaces
More deep open spaces
And more features to launch off
And more features to launch off
Ahh... more powder!
Ahh... more powder!
1 lead guide & 2 tail guides make this the safest cat skiing in the world!
1 lead guide & 2 tail guides make this the safest cat skiing in the world!
WG have a backup cat if cat # 1 has any mechanical issues
WG have a backup cat if cat # 1 has any mechanical issues
Endless lines of "Kootenay cold smoke"
Endless lines of
The smile says it all
The smile says it all
This is a must for all avid & experienced powder skiers
This is a must for all avid & experienced powder skiers
About Location Snow & Terrain Our Review Reviews

White Grizzly Cat Skiing BC

White Grizzly Adventures provide awesome cat skiing in the Selkirks. White Grizzly cat skiing solely caters to expert skiers and snowboarders. The terrain has a heavy emphasis on steep gnarly trees and the local mantra is “ski good or eat wood”!

So what the hell is a ‘white grizzly’? It’s not a weird hybrid between a grizzly and polar bear. It’s just a grizzly bear that doesn’t hibernate during winter because he’s heard that hibernation is for wimps. A white grizzly is simply a bear that loves being doused in the amazing Selkirk powder. A “white grizzly” can also be defined as a powderhound who’s become sulky because he hasn’t had a recent fix of deep powder skiing!

Grizzlies or powderhounds need not fear that they won’t get a big dose of the white fluffy Kootenay gold. White Grizzly Adventures is situated in the cat skiing capital of the world in Kootenay’s snow belt. The snow fall is abundant (13 metres per season on average) and the micro-climate around Meadow Creek is cold, so the snow stays fluffy. Cat skiing in this deep powder provides an intoxicating euphoria. Just make sure your pit zips are up!

White Grizzly Packages

White Grizzly Lodge Packages DETAILS
White Grizzly Lodge Packages
White Grizzly Lodge Packages White Grizzly Lodge Packages White Grizzly Lodge Packages White Grizzly Lodge Packages White Grizzly Lodge Packages White Grizzly Lodge Packages White Grizzly Lodge Packages White Grizzly Lodge Packages White Grizzly Lodge Packages White Grizzly Lodge Packages White Grizzly Lodge Packages
See reviews (6)
MULTI-DAY CAT SKIING PACKAGE
From 2 Nights Lodging & 2 Days Cat Skiing
From price based on 3-day/3-night, twin/double or triple-share room, regular season (rates per person).
Base/invoice currency is in CAD ex taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
Price p/p
From price based on 3-day/3-night, twin/double or triple-share room, regular season (rates per person).
Base/invoice currency is in CAD ex taxes.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 2,242
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
A few days or a week long adventure with White Grizzly will have you grinning from ear to ear for months afterwards. Located in the Kootenays, where you will find epic powder combined with exceptional terrain. Packages include lodging (Canadian Log Cabin style), guided cat skiing, all meals and use of avo safety gear More
View inclusions & Add-ons
Inclusions
  • Accommodation in a twin room at White Grizzly Lodge
  • All meals & appertisers
  • Cat skiing max 12 guests
  • Professional guiding (lead & tail guide)
  • Use of avalanche safety equipment
Add-ons
No optional extras to display
Location: Canada | Tour Focus: Guided | Terrain Focus: Backcountry
Click here for rates, dates & availability
These dates are for fixed date tours. Most fixed date tours are for mixed groups i.e. you can join a group as a solo, couple or small group Fixed Date(s)
These tours have a set number of days as shown below Days
Price
We try to keep the availability as accurate as possible however things can change regularly. The following statuses roughly equate to:
  • Available = 5 or more spots
  • Filling = 3 – 5 spots
  • Almost Full = 2 or less spots

Please “enquire” to get a definitive answer
Availability
Dec 09 - Dec 11, 2017
3
USD 2,054
Sold Out
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Dec 13 - Dec 16, 2017
4
USD 2,738
Sold Out
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Dec 18 - Dec 22, 2017
5
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Available
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Dec 24 - Dec 27, 2017
4
USD 2,738
Sold Out
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Dec 29 - Jan 01, 2018
4
USD 2,738
Filling
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Jan 03 - Mar 17, 2018
74
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Sold Out
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Mar 20 - Mar 22, 2018
3
USD 2,054
Filling
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Mar 24 - Mar 26, 2018
3
USD 2,054
Available
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Mar 28 - Mar 31, 2018
4
USD 2,738
Available
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Apr 02 - Apr 04, 2018
3
USD 2,054
Available
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Apr 06 - Apr 08, 2018
3
USD 2,054
Available
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Future rates & dates are currently not yet available for this operator. Click here to enquire.
1Total Results: 1Total Pages: 1

Where is White Grizzly Adventures Located?

White Grizzly is beautifully located way off the beaten track in the heart of the Selkirk Mountains. The lodge is based just outside the little town of Meadow Creek BC (population 70 people) which is situated at the north end of Kootenay Lake, 108km north of Nelson (about 1.5 hour drive), 186km northeast of Rossland (2.5 hours) and 160km southeast of Revelstoke.

The lodge is conveniently accessible via car, so you don’t need a helicopter, snowcat or snowmobile to get there (if you need 20 different outfits you can pack as many bags as you like!). The actual cat skiing terrain is about 20km from the lodge, and each morning guests convoy to the snowcat staging area.

There are a few options for gateway airports for White Grizzly Cat Skiing. From Spokane international airport (Washington, U.S.) it’s possible to rent a car and drive to Meadow Creek (5-6 hour drive). Castlegar airport is closer and is serviced by Air Canada Jazz with daily flights from Vancouver and Calgary. The drive to Meadow Creek takes about 2 hours, but a limitation of the“Cancel-gar airport” is that flights are commonly cancelled in inclement weather. With both of these airports, you could do a stop-over for a couple of days on the way to ski at Whitewater or Red Mountain.

The other option is Kelowna airport, a 5 hour drive from Meadow Creek. En-route you could stop in at Revelstoke Mountain Resort for a few days to warm-up.


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White Grizzly Cat Skiing Terrain

The White Grizzly cat ski terrain size is 25 square kilometres (11,000 acres). This is about 3/4s of the size of Whistler Blackcomb and you only have to share it with an exclusive group of 12, and maybe a couple of white grizzlies!

Much of the terrain is northeast facing so it’s ideal for powder skiing. The terrain includes all the trees you could ever wish for: tight trees, open trees, and gladed fall line tree skiing. Other treats include alpine bowls, chutes, and small cliff bands for a little air time with soft powder landings. The White Grizzly cat ski terrain is also renowned for lots of pillow lines.

Most of the slopes are 30 to 45 degrees so the terrain is definitely not tame or lame and it may put you to shame. Guests should be able to handle steep tree runs, have previous powder experience, and be able to keep up! This BC cat skiing is definitely not for intermediates or low-end advanced riders. If you have to ask if you can handle it, then it’s likely that you can’t!

Each run consists of up to 1,000 vertical metres of thigh burn and most days include 6 to 7 runs. They go hard with up to 16,500 to 20,000 feet of vertical covered each day, which is more than most other BC cat skiing companies. This is cat skiing for pure powderhounds and grizzlies, not pussies.

White Grizzly can get this much vertical in each day for a few reasons:
  • Only good skiers and snowboarders need apply 
  • The runs are steep so the vertical racks up fast 
  • The snowcat has two doors so everyone can load and unload quickly 
  • The cat roads are steep so the snowcat gets to the goods swiftly 
  • Lunch is eaten in the cat

More Reasons to Cat Ski with White Grizzly

White Grizzly cat skiing is ideal for strong skiers and snowboarders who want to get maximum powder pleasure and great value for money. Safety aspects are covered really well and White Grizzly has three guides for the group of 12 guests.

The heated snowcat is modern and powerful, and it’s a “convertible” so the roof is opened up on fine days.

White Grizzly is a small boutique operation so you’ll quickly make friends with your fellow guests and become part of the White Grizzly family.

Spots during peak periods sell out quickly, so book early to avoid disappointment.

See our full review here>>

Here is a short teaser video showing what you can expect at White Grizzly....

Reviews

Hibernation is Not For Wimps

POWDERHOUNDS.COM
17/02/2013
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Rider Age
    36-50
  • Rider Ability
    Expert
  • Country
    Australia
Powderhounds Review of White Grizzly
White Grizzly is a well refined operation that’s perfect for very experienced skiers and boarders who love steep tree skiing. The other very clear strength is the emphasis on safety.

Other pros include: the quality and quantity of the powder; a great snowcat; the value for money; and the scrummy food.

Whilst the lodge and après-ski culture is not intended to be one of the highlights of the operation, it definitely is. It doesn’t outshine the strength of the powder skiing, yet the log house and the experience of hanging out there is beautiful and friendly. Combined with the small group format, you can’t help but feel at home and very relaxed. White Grizzly doesn’t generally attract those looking for a party scene, but rather those who just want to lounge about and have a chat.

Brad and Carole have created something pretty special here.

See our White Grizzly Cat Skiing review for more information.

White Grizzly, Ultimate fun , tight trees, steep pitches

Ric Straus
12/02/2013
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Rider Age
    51-65
  • Rider Ability
    Advanced
  • Country
    Canada
Rob Weingust at White Grizzly
White Grizzly has a unique situation with North facing, cold temperatures, tight trees, and steep pitches. The guiding is excellent , with safety and fun in mind at all times.

The ambience of the lodge is very intimate and always a pleasure with both guests and staff. Brad and Carole the owner/operators make sure to do every thing they can to make your trip memorable. 

We have been going back for more than a dozen years in a row, and can't wait for our next trip, already booked.

Incredible Snow and Steep Tree Covered Terrain

Ian Hamilton
08/02/2013
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Rider Age
    36-50
  • Rider Ability
    Expert
  • Country
    USA
Ian Hamilton at White Grizzly
Skied three days at White Grizzly after a snow drought in most of the Kootenays ... but not White Grizzly. The micro climate surrounding White Grizzly and expansive terrain delivered steep and deep fresh tracks every turn every run.

I've skied many Cat and Heli operations in the BC interior and can say without any hesitation that White Grizzly is among the best. The ratio of available steep terrain and snowfall to number of skier is phenomenal. Looking forward to my next trip.

White Grizzly

Rob Weingust
08/02/2013
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Rider Age
    36-50
  • Rider Ability
    Expert
  • Country
    Canada
Rob Weingust at White Grizzly
White Grizzly is an awesome place for the advanced powder skier who loves steep and deep terrain with tight trees. The snow quality was awesome with real light knee-chest deep 'blower' pow all 3 days.

Aside from the great steep terrain and amazing snow, WG also provided a nice cozy lodge environment with really friendly staff and good service and food. I loved the fact that the lodge was small and there was only 12 of us in the lodge and out on the mountain.

AWESOME!

David Hecht
21/12/2012
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Rider Age
    36-50
  • Rider Ability
    Advanced
I visited White Grizzly last January for a two day adventure.

The terrain was awesome. Very steep, great snow, fun features. I could not even keep up with the amount of vertical we covered. It turned out that I was skiing with an ear infection, but had a great time anyhow. Next time I will make sure I'm in better shape first, because if my legs had more power I wouldn't have had to sit out a run.

The guiding was amazing. They had a lot of knowledge about avy control, and they were willing to help educate.

The lodge was very cozy and the food was great. It was a nice experience to stay right there.

I will book another trip next time I have a chance.

White Grizzly

Bob Legasa
21/10/2012
  • Recommend
  • Would Revisit
  • Rider Type
    Skier
  • Rider Age
    51-65
  • Rider Ability
    Expert
  • Country
    USA
You want that Deep, Deep pow experience. Then White Grizzly has your name on it. Carole and Brad Karafil know how to treat you right and get you to the goods. With state of the art snow cat machines that take you and 11 other riders up to the money in total comfort, you can rest assured you’re in for a fun filled day ripping turns on their terrain which is suited for the die hard pow skier. There are plenty of variations in terrain and pitch to keep you wanting to session the same area but with over 11,000 skiable acres there’s no need to!

Your digs for your stay are in a gorgeous Log structure, The Alpine lodge which is only a few minutes away from the cat barn. Here you have all the amenities of home, big fireplace to kick back and chill after another pow filled day, hot tub to take the aches away from those well worked muscles, wireless internet to e-mail those epic pictures from the day to your buddies back home. Sometimes I don’t know what is better, the actual skiing or hitting the send button to your friends! Nothing like a little gloating.

Dinners are family style with some incredible down home cooking. Carole knows how to serve up some incredible hearty meals like fresh BC Salmon, mouth watering BBQ NY Steaks just to name a few things off her menu. Rooms are spacious, comfy and nicely decorated.

White Grizzly is a place where you and 12 of your good riding buddies need to come experience that private powder skiing adventure. Just one more thing, when your shredding turns through the trees and you thought you saw something fly by your head, you did. it’s just another flying squirrel. Yes there are actually flying squirrels!