 Poster: A snowHead
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Have heard lots about cat skiing in Canada. Does anyone out there have any direct experience with these operations?
From what I can tell on the net Chatter Creek seems to get the best reviews. However for a first time I like how Big Red Cat does Intermediate, advanced, and expert trips and is located next to an existing ski hill Red Mountain. Selkirk Wilderness also seems to have great reviews - but not sure that I am willing to commit for a week initially. Mustang Powder also looks great.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Do they have four little skis, or two paws on one long one?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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jumperpowder, There is a Cat Skiing operation very close to Fernie. Didn't do it as the skiing in resort was so good, we didn't feel the need to go.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Spyderman - thanks I have read their website - they are called Fernie wildnerness adventures - Looks like a pretty good option as well
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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jumperpowder,
We went skiing with Big Red Cats this season at the end of March. We timed it absolutely perfectly and had perfect deep light fluffy pow!!  You really did need a snorkel almost!! 
We did a few days skiing at Red mountain as a bit of a warm up - it is an awesome mountain if you like steep trees and challenging terrain.
We both skied in the advanced group which was a bit tame to be honest. A lot of this was due to the avalanche risk after so much snow, but also due to the level of other 'advanced' skiers. Big Red Cats are allegedly harsh on skiers mis-judging their ability so we didn't put ourselves in the expert group (I ski with a lot of pros who truly are experts), but really the expert level really wouldn't have been a problem.
Organisation of the cat skiing itself was very good and the guides were superb, the admin side of Big Red Cats still needs a bit of work, though they are a pretty new company so I suspect this will get better.
In a strange way, the best day skiing of the week was actually on Red Mountain, despite the fact that the conditions and snow for the Cat skiing was about as perfect as you could ever want, simply because on big snow days you can ski much steeper and varied terrain in-bounds, and even busy powder days at Red mean you only occasionally do you see another track (which of course means that run is tracked out!!  )
If you go to Red Mountain, do not fly to Castlegar - it is aptly named Cancelgar. We got in and out OK with only minor delays, but many flights were cancelled during the week and we spent quite a bit of effort working out contingency plans - instead fly to Kelowna and Drive (oh I see your in BC so probably driving anyway!). You really need a car there. Also stay in Rossland as there is very little at the base of the mountain, but Rossland is quite nice with some decent bars and restaurants.
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Hi jumperpowder, welcome to snowHeads!
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I've heard good stuff about Valhalla, plus Revelstoke for budget packages. The main caveat seems to be that some day trip operations seemed to be pitched at intermediate market/terrain so ask a few questions to ensure its your type of skiing and that the group will be around the same level.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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stuarth,
I think you should have referred to your destination as Resort R in keeping with the snowheads tradition of keeping the precious things in life on the quiet About the highest average level of ski ability I've ever seen anywhere on a hill though until I dragged it down.
Not that it matters - they had a stand at the ski show last year & I didn't see anyone take much of an interest.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Did one day cat skiing with an outfit just outside of fernie. Perfect conditions, -15, loads of fresh powder, sunny. Was a great day but not sure i'd rush to do it again, the cats are pretty slow for gaining vertical and the runs were generally short and sweet. It's definatley worth experiencing as it's different from regular lift served skiing, but as another poster said his best days were in bound at red. I did hear of snow-mobile skiing - rather than using a cat to get around you use a snow mobile - you double up with a buddy and take turns skiing / driving. Sounds excellent as the snow mobiles are a balst in their own right. Nothing like the sweet smell of two stroke oil and of course deep powder.
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You know it makes sense.
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Not quite Canada, But I understand Keystone Co., have opened up a Cat-access-only bowl that is effectively "in bounds". Has anone any experience of that this year?
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| JimW wrote: |
| Not quite Canada, But I understand Keystone Co., have opened up a Cat-access-only bowl that is effectively "in bounds". Has anone any experience of that this year? |
No experience.
Thought about it while planning my 07 season but decided against it. Keystone is simply NOT a resort that appeals to me. The addition of cat skiing does make me think about it ONCE, but only for a moment before forgetting about it.
Keystone's "regular" runs are generally tame and VERY similar all over the mountain, to the point of boring. So, I can't help to get an impression they're attempting to spice up the terrain offered to advanced skiers. But at a hefty price to the skier!
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FAQ
They might have to put on 747s to Castlegar 
