Snowcat skiing offers strong-intermediate and expert skiers full-service guided tours into remote high-mountain regions. Powder snow and “fresh tracks” are
norm. Uphill transportation is provided by a tracked snowcat equipped with a warm, comfortable passenger cab. They usually accommodate 12 guests, two guides and a driver.Some snowcat operators are based in towns or near highways and offer guests continued access to “civilization”. In some cases, guests use local hotels and restaurants for accommodation and meals. Such operators may offer single-day trips.
Other snowcat operators use remote lodges high in mountains, far from cars and telephones. These lodges provide a multi-day backcountry experience in midst of pristine alpine wilderness. They also place guests very close to their skiing.
Many backcountry “cat skiing” lodges offer double-occupancy bedrooms complete with private ensuite baths. They have cozy and comfortable sitting areas, dining halls with cathedral ceilings, drying rooms for boots and outside clothing, games rooms, well-stocked bars and “commercial” kitchens. They offer exercise areas, video players, satellite telephones, perhaps a computer with Internet access and, of course, a well-stocked bar. Guests can enjoy a social drink and spectacular views while luxuriating in an outdoor hot tub, and then step right to their bedrooms for a shower or a nap.
No special equipment is required for cat skiing, just boots and clothing. Powder skis can be rented at lodge. However, snowboarders should bring their own boards. Guests will make most of their snowcat skiing tour by being in good physical condition.
Lodge life is informal and relaxed. Juice and fruit and coffee are served at 7:00 AM and a buffet breakfast is available at about 7:30. Snowcats depart between 8:30 and 9:00, when guests are ready.
The first day of a tour is special. Guides take first hour or so to make sure guests understand safety procedures. Everyone has practice using radio beacons that operator supplies. No one goes out without one.
The first run of day is rarely more than 20 minutes from lodge and last run of day can end at lodge door. During day, group moves around, sampling different areas and never staying long in any one spot. Each run is in fresh, untracked snow.
On “bluebird” days, guide will head for high alpine. Perhaps for two or three runs on a glacier before trying big open slopes, taking a run or two in each before heading to next. The highest skiing elevation can be close to 10,000 ft and views are spectacular. There is always time to pause for pictures.
If visibility is poor or if alpine snow is unstable, it’s off to one of many ridges to “ski trees”. Tree skiing is amazing! The protected snow is usually deeper and softer than in alpine. It is very consistent and there are no moguls. The short, fat “powder skis” are easy to control. Forget trees. Just ski openings! Intermediate skiers who may never before have skied in trees find that they can not only do it, but that it’s fun.
In old burns, trees are gnarly, but very widely spaced. The living forest has closer-spaced trees, but offers beautiful glades and tree stands that may have been thinned. Some of glades are as open as some ski-area runs. The old cut-blocks are great fun. Snow-buried stumps create “pillows”, small mounds to ski around or “pop” off. Landings are nearly always same, soft and forgiving. It’s amazing!
