Cat Skiing Ratings
Cat skiing ratings are provided by the Powderhounds for some of the snowcat skiing operators in Canada, USA, Chile, Argentina and
Japan.
Cat skiing is an amazing experience, but no single snowcat ski operation is completely perfect for everyone. Our ratings covers different aspects of the cat skiing experience so you can determine which outfit is most likely to align with your priorities. As a guide to the ratings, a 5/5 equates to absolutely phenomenal, 4/5 is excellent, whilst 3/5 is still a very good score.
Canada Cat Skiing
Canada was the birthplace of cat skiing and it continues to be the home of snowcat skiing with some of the best cat skiing operators in the world.
BC cat skiing typically has great snow, long runs, varied terrain, and impressive safety standards.
Canada Cat Skiing
5 = outstanding |
Powder |
Overall Terrain |
Alpine Terrain |
Tree Skiingx |
Inter
Terrain |
Advanced |
Expert/
Extreme |
Guiding |
Snowcat |
Avalanche Strategies |
Safety Briefing |
xFrillsx |
Accomx |
xValuex |
Overall |
| British Columbia |
| Big Red Cats |
3
|
4
|
4
|
4.5
|
4
|
5
|
4.5
|
4
|
3.5
|
5
|
5
|
4
|
*
|
4
|
4.5
|
| Fernie Wilderness Lodge |
3
|
3
|
1.5
|
4
|
*
|
3.5
|
3.5
|
4
|
3.5
|
3.5
|
3.5
|
4
|
2.5
|
3
|
3.75
|
| Great Northern Snowcat Skiing |
4.5 |
3 |
4 |
2.5 |
5 |
4.5 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
4 |
5 |
4.25 |
| Island Lake |
3.5
|
3.5
|
4
|
5
|
*
|
4
|
*
|
5
|
3
|
5
|
4.5
|
4.5
|
*
|
3
|
4.5
|
| Powder Mountain |
3
|
2.5
|
3
|
3.5
|
5
|
3
|
2
|
5
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
*
|
2.5
|
4
|
| Powder Stagecoach |
3 |
2.5 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
3.5 |
2.5 |
3 |
4.5 |
4.5 |
3.5 |
4 |
* |
4 |
4 |
| Monashee Powder Snowcats |
5 |
3.5 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
3.5 |
2.5 |
4 |
4 |
4.5 |
4.5 |
4 |
3.5 |
5 |
4.5 |
| Retallack |
4
|
4
|
3.5
|
4
|
0.5
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
5
|
4
|
4
|
3.5
|
4
|
4.25
|
| Revelstoke Cat Skiing |
2.5 |
2.5
|
1.5
|
3
|
2.5
|
4
|
2
|
3
|
5
|
4.5
|
4
|
5
|
*
|
3.5
|
3.5
|
| Selkirk Snowcat Skiing |
5
|
5
|
4.5
|
5
|
3
|
5
|
4.5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
3.5
|
3.5
|
5
|
| Skeena Cat Skiing |
4 |
4 |
4.5 |
2.5 |
3.5 |
4.5 |
3.5 |
5 |
4 |
4.5 |
3.5 |
4 |
3.5 |
5 |
4.5 |
| Valhalla Powdercats |
4 |
4
|
4 |
5
|
1
|
5
|
4
|
5 |
3.5
|
4
|
4 |
3 |
*
|
3
|
4.5 |
| White Grizzly |
5
|
3.5 |
2 |
4.5
|
0.5
|
3
|
4.5
|
4.5
|
4.5
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
4 |
4.5 |
4.5 |
| Wildhorse |
4
|
4
|
3
|
4
|
2.5
|
5
|
3
|
4.5
|
2.5
|
3
|
3.5
|
3.5
|
3.5
|
5
|
4 |
USA Cat Skiing
USA cat skiing is super fun but it's generally not in quite the same league as Canada cat skiing with respect to snow quality and quantity, terrain size, and the amount of vertical skied each day. See the
Canada vs USA cat skiing page for more information.
USA Cat Skiing
5 = outstanding |
Powder |
Overall Terrain |
Alpine |
Tree Skiingx |
Inter
Terrain |
Advanced |
Expert/ Extreme |
Guiding |
Snowcat |
Avalanche Strategies |
Safety Briefing |
xFrillsx |
Accomx |
xValuex |
Overall |
| Colorado Cat Skiing |
| Aspen Powder Guides |
3
|
2.5
|
3
|
3
|
5
|
3
|
1.5
|
3.5
|
5
|
2.5
|
2
|
4.5
|
*
|
3.5
|
3.5
|
| Keystone Adventure Tours |
2
|
1.5
|
3.5
|
1.5
|
*
|
4
|
*
|
3
|
4.5
|
2.5
|
2
|
4
|
*
|
4.5
|
3.5
|
| San Juan Ski Co |
3
|
4.5
|
*
|
3.5
|
4.5
|
3
|
*
|
2.5
|
3
|
3
|
2.5
|
2.5
|
*
|
5
|
4
|
| San Juan Snowcat |
*
|
3
|
4
|
2.5
|
4
|
3.5
|
3.5
|
*
|
3
|
2.5
|
*
|
3.5
|
*
|
4.5
|
3.25
|
| Silverton Powdercats |
2.5
|
3
|
3
|
2.5
|
4.5
|
3
|
*
|
*
|
3
|
2.5
|
*
|
3.5
|
*
|
4
|
3.5
|
| Steamboat Powdercats |
4.5
|
4
|
2.5
|
4.5
|
4
|
4.5
|
3.5
|
5
|
4.5
|
3
|
3
|
5
|
*
|
4
|
4.5
|
| Other USA Cat Skiing |
| Park City Powder Cats |
4.5 |
4 |
4.5 |
4 |
2 |
4.5 |
3.5 |
5 |
5 |
3.5 |
2.5 |
4 |
* |
3.5 |
4.5 |
| Great Northern Powder Guides |
3.5
|
3
|
2
|
4
|
3
|
4.5
|
4.5
|
4
|
4.5
|
3
|
2.5
|
5
|
4.5
|
4
|
4
|
| Selkirk Powder |
3.5 |
3.5
|
2.5
|
4
|
4.5 |
4.5
|
2 |
4 |
4
|
3.5
|
3 |
3
|
*
|
4
|
4
|
Japan Cat Skiing
Japan cat skiing is all about the powder. Many of the cat ski operators use old ski resorts, and commonly the terrain is reasonably small and mellow.
South America Cat Skiing
|
Powder |
Overall Terrain |
Alpine |
Tree Skiingx |
Inter
Terrain |
Advanced
|
Expert/ Extreme |
Guiding |
Snowcat |
Avalanche Strategies |
Safety Briefing |
xFrillsx |
Accomx |
xValuex |
Overall |
| South American Cat Skiing |
| Ski Arpa Chile |
2
|
3.5
|
4.5 |
0
|
2 |
5
|
4 |
3.5 |
1.5
|
2.5
|
1
|
2 |
*
|
3.5 |
3
|
| Baguales Cat Skiing |
2.5 |
3
|
3
|
2.5 |
4 |
2.5
|
0
|
3
|
3.5
|
2
|
1.5 |
4
|
4 |
4
|
3.5 |
#not rated
Factors Considered in Ratings
Powder Snow
- annual snowfall
- frequency of snowfall
- quality of snow e.g. moisture content, crustiness
- range of terrain and various aspects to find quality snow if it hasn't snowed for a while
Overall Terrain
- amount of quality skiing possible in a day
- size of terrain
- variety of terrain
- variety of different aspects to ski
- ability to cater to a range of ability levels within the one day
Alpine Terrain
- amount, quality and variety of alpine terrain available
- likelihood of snowpack allowing riding in the alpine, particularly on steep slopes
Tree Skiing
- amount, quality and variety of gladed terrain available
- adequately spaced trees to allow the linking of turns but tight enough to make it challenging and protect snow quality
Strong Intermediate Terrain
- amount, quality and variety of terrain available for strong intermediates
Advanced Terrain
- amount, quality and variety of terrain available for advanced skiers and riders
Expert and Extreme Terrain
- amount, quality and variety of terrain available for strong expert skiers and riders
- amount, quality and variety of steep chutes, cliffs and drop-offs
- snowpack stability and likelihood of being able to ride this terrain
Guiding
- clear instructions regarding safety issues in the field including tree buddies (where required)
- appropriate re-grouping
~ providing direction regarding guests taking it in turns for first tracks (if required)
- qualifications and experience of guides
- fun personality to add to the enjoyment
- tail guide backup and instructions
- low guest to guide ratio
Cat / Heli
- guest comfort which includes the ease and safety of getting in and out
- speed, power and agility
Frills
- quality of lunch, snacks and drinks provided throughout the day (does not include morning or evening meals if associated with accommodation)
- apres ski session
- information regarding what to expect and the itinerary for the day
- photography or video service which is shown at the end of the day
- range and quality of skis and boards provided
Value for Money
- inclusions such as powder skis, vertical covered, frills
Accommodation
- quality of accommodation
- lodging facilities
- quality of morning and evening meals
Overall Rating
- All rated factors included
NB The reviews are largely based on our experience, but also on discussions with staff, other guests (especially repeat customers), and information available on their website. Our reviews have some
limitations as it’s not possible to ski every run available or in all snow and weather conditions, and every guide is somewhat different. We acknowledge that everyone’s experience will be slightly different and
the ratings are from our perspective only. Most importantly, every cat ski operation provides a fantastic experience, and it sure beats a day of resort skiing or boarding hands-down!