I’m like you, I love skiing, specifically deep powder skiing, and I’ve always wanted to ski the blower powder you see in every ski movie.
But after numerous seasons, I’ve realized that powder isn’t always found inside the boundaries of a ski resort.
That’s when I decided I wanted to go cat skiing in British Columbia, Canada.
I have yet to go, but I have researched all the operations thoroughly. So here are the six best cat skiing operations in British Columbia.
(Love Skiing? Learn how to be a ski bum in the 21st century here.)
The 6 Best Cat Skiing Operations in British Columbia
Valhalla Powdercats
The Operation
Located in South Slocan, Valhalla Powdercats provides access to the Selkirk mountain range. Unlike other cat skiing operations, Valhalla does not have a lodge. Instead, guests meet at their base office every day and are whisked up into the mountains, 12 skiers at a time, by one of their two Piston Bully cats.
Each day of riding begins by meeting at their base lodge at 7:30 am. You are provided with avalanche equipment and then led into the mountains. Lunch, snacks, and warm drinks are provided, but from what I can see on their website, they do not guarantee a certain amount of runs. Rental equipment is also available.
The Terrain
Valhalla accesses 21,000 acres in the Selkirk mountain range. Their claim to fame is their Kootenay powder and steep skiing, which they do not serve to beginner skiers. Their snow accumulation can amount to almost 360 inches at their highest elevation.
Pricing
Since lodging and meals are not included, Valhalla Snowcats is one of the cheaper operations. A 4-day mid-season trip costs 2,795 CAD, while a single day is $700 and a full cat is $7,680.
Island Lake Lodge
The Operation
Located outside of Fernie, BC, Island Lake Lodge offers cat skiing into the Canadian Rockies.
They have been running a cat skiing operation since 1988. Four different buildings comprise the Island Lake Lodge and all offer luxurious rooms and dining making this operation known for their lodging.
The cat skiing day starts sharply at 9 am running until 4 pm. Like all of the other operations, they provide you with avalanche equipment and a briefing about how to use this equipment before your day in the mountains. They do offer rental skis and snowboards.
The Terrain
Island Lake accesses 7,000 acres of skiing in the Lizard Range. The Candian Rockies receive an average of anywhere between 350 and 400 inches of snowfall each year.
Pricing
Island Lake offers a 3-day 3-night trip for around 3,300 CAD. Due to COVID-19 they are limiting capacity to 10 people per cat.
Chatter Creek
The Operation
Chatter Creek Cat Skiing is located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, 3 hours plus a helicopter flight outside of Calgary. Two main lodges offer luxurious dining, large double room occupancy, and spa-like amenities. There are never more than 42 guests at this lodge.
This operation is unique because it also offers cat-assisted ski touring. However, it is not offered this year because of COVID-19. Also starting in April, Chatter Creek opens its lodge to snowmobiling guests.
The Terrain
Chatter Creek accesses a staggering 58,000 acres of the Candian Rocky Mountains. The majority of the terrain is between 4,900 feet and 9,500 feet above sea level. The terrain includes a great mix of tree skiing, alpine bowls, and glaciers. By midseason, they have an average base of 118 inches.
Pricing
There are 3, 4, and 5-day cat skiing options to choose from. A 3 day all-inclusive trip costs around 4,000 CAD. You can begin booking for the season starting the prior season.
(Like skiing deep powder? Check out these ski-specific exercises.)
Baldface Lodge
The Operation
Baldface Lodge is known for being the pinnacle of cat skiing and boarding and rightly so. This operation has one main lodge and seven chalets. While both skiers and snowboarders are welcome, keep in mind that this lodge was founded by snowboarders.
Baldface provides all guests with the needed avalanche equipment and 2 guides accompany each group of 12. This operation also has a photographer that joins the groups to capture content from the day. All guests receive an online folder filled with content from their trip.
The Terrain
This lodge is also located in the Selkirk mountain range. But unlike the others, this lodge has access to 32,000 acres of skiable terrain. This area is known for its natural glades and mix of steep forests and open bowls.
Pricing
Baldface alternates between 3 and 4-day trips. These trips range from 3,250 to 6,200 CAD. Be sure to book this operation early because it fills up fast.
Selkirk Cat Skiing
The Operation
Selkirk Cat Skiing has been in operation for more than 40 years. This operation sits just outside of Nelson BC in the Selkirk mountain range. Their lodge provides great views of the Purcell Mountains along with amazing amenities including pre-ski yoga and apres-ski drinks and snacks.
This operation provides between 9-11 runs per day totaling at 15,000-18,000 vertical feet. Selkirk recommends that you should be at least an advanced skier to make the most of their terrain.
The Terrain
Selkirks cat roads access 14,000 acres of bowl, tree, and steep skiing with terrain ranging from mellow to aggressive. Their roads top out at 8,300 feet accessing high alpine terrain. Located in one of the best snow zones per year Selkirk receives 400 inches of snow a year.
Pricing
Selkirk cat skiing offers one package that is 5 days and 6 nights. Their trips range anywhere from 3,500 to 5,000 CAD depending on the time of year.
Great Northern Snowcat Skiing
The Operation
Located in the powder triangle, Great Northern Snowcat Skiing have been in operation for 40 years. This operation has an 11-room lodge and has four snowcats. They run both multi and single-day trips.
This operation is serious about safety and like other operations assigns two well-trained guides per group and provides each guest with the needed avalanche equipment.
The Terrain
Also located in the Selkirk mountain range these Great Northern Snowcats run up and down the Great Northern and the Thompson mountains. Their operation has access to 18,000 acres of glades and bowl skiing. Top that with an average annual snowfall of 600 inches and Great Northern delivers the goods when it comes to powder skiing and riding.
Pricing
Great Northern offers 3, 4, and 7-day trips that include lodging, food, and skiing. These trips start at 3,600 and go up to 7,700 CAD depending on the time in the season.
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