The latest news from the catskiing / snowcat industry. Where to ski, who has snow, whats happening. We also post reviews of the latest gear, skis, and some general interest stuff. Be sure to check for last minute deals to make your winter vacation the best.
With our first trip coming in a couple of days we figured we had better get the new boards mounted! Normally we would use some of the old sticks to go poke around the rocks out there during the early season. But this year with area catski operators reporting above average snow fall, we thought we would break out the new stuff.
Our collection expanded this year thanks to the guys down at Moment Skis. They hooked us up with a late season deal at the end of last year and we couldn't be happier. On the bench we had a couple pairs of Donner Party's, A Ghost Chant, a sweet pair of Comi's and a Jaguar Shark. Also in the mix is a big-ass pair of Liberty Mutant that keep our photographer Geoff floating to all the best shooting locations.
All these skis are strapped up with the Marker Jester bindings from the our friends at Fresh Air. They will be joining us on a trip to Valhalla in early January so stay tuend for footage on that one.
For now, we are getting stoked for first turns of the season at Big Red Cats. Check in with us next week for a full report and a load of pics and video!
14 Fortunate Souls Get to Sample the Early Season Deep!
Here is some very tantalizing footage from December 6th at Chatter Creek Catskiing. 14 lucky people got in on this epic early season powder and it looks like they took full advantage. December powder is so sweet because people down in the valley bottom have no idea what is going on up high. Chatter, along with many of the other snowcat operators this year, have an above average base. This early base has set everyone up for what looks like an incredible season to follow.
In the words of Chatter Creek: "Watch and dream..."
Or you can give them a call and book one of the very few seats left available Dec 11-14. It will be worth it!
Tell them we sent ya!
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on Thursday, 06 December 2012.
Posted in Powder Skiing
Big Red Cats is offering an early season special on whole cat bookings. Get in on the bountiful early season snow while you can! Get a group together from now to 15 Dec, and it's just $2000 for the cat (that's $200 each for 10 of you, or $250 each for 8 of you.. $2500 from 16-21 Dec.
Just one cat per day, and the 6th and 11th are already booked. If you can't gather a group, it's $299/seat, and we'll build a group! The conditions are like February, but the price is LESS THAN HALF!
THE best way to start off the season is with a little Catskiing!
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It may feel like winter hasn't hit yet if you are down in the valley, but area catskiing operators have been hit hard with some early season powder...and they are eager to share it!
The fine folks at Snowwater Heli and Catskiing have set up a 2 Day 2 Night catskiing trip for early season powder hounds. It is a sweet one:
"Woke up, jumped out of bed Thoughts of powder ran through my head Found my way down the hall and drank a cup And looking up, outside was great Found my coat, grabbed my hat Made the cat in seconds flat Found our way up the hill and felt the stoke And as the guide spoke I went into a dream ah...."
As we reviewed footage we realized how we are the lucky ones who have made the grade. Instead of making a video of the incredilbe skiing to be had at SWS, we realized that we had some great shots of lodge life and wanted to show you what that is all about. You see, the people at Selkirk Wilderness have had almost 4 decades to fine tune life at their operation.
Waking up at Selkirk Wilderness Skiing is a special thing. Wandering down the hall to the espresso machine with smells of breakfast filling your sense. Your mind drifts as you take in the view across the Selkirks and Purcells. Everyone in the lodge is waiting in anticipation for the powder day to come, but at the same time everyone is relaxed by the environment that SWS has created. They have made the morning routine part of the catskiing experience rather than just something to get out of the way to go skiing.
After a day raiding powder stashes with Selkirk's guides your last run lands you right at the door step of the SWS Lodge. Before heading inside it has become a tradition around the lodge to hang out on the porch and relive the day with your catskiing friends. The stories of how deep the powder was and how high the drops were seem to get bigger and deeper as time progresses. Enjoying beers and appies after a day in the powder at SWS will form friendships that last years.
Back in the lodge we enjoyed another world class dinner prepared fresh using locally sourced food. The dinning is family style which is a given at a place like Selkirk Wilderness. More stories, more laughs carry us on into the evening where we play heated games at the pool table and belly up to the bar for more drinks (our favorite is the CatBomb - a mix of whiskey, Bailey's and Nelson Brewery Black Heart Oatmeal Stout!)
We have had a couple trips to SWS already and are looking forward to a lifetime more. We can even see bringing our kids here when they are older like generations have before. At Selkirk Wilderness the skiing is always great. Although conditions may vary from year to year one thing remains the same: the Selkirk Wilderness experience.
Like many mountain settings, Island Lake Catskiing has always attracted interesting characters to both work and play there. Meet a few of their interesting staff in this new webisode.
Sherpas Cinema is at is again and this one look stunning
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From the makers of All.I.Can comes the new feature film: INTO THE MIND
Blur the lines between dream state and reality, as you perceive the world through the minds of many. Into the Mind contemplates the experiences passed between mentors and peers to paint a philosophical portrait of human kind. What drives us to overcome challenge? How do we justify risk? What forces are at the core of a mountain addiction? Unique athlete segments over a multitude of mountain sport genres depict the connectivity of Earth, and window into never seen before moments. Explore how we begin our perception of self, construct the foundations of confidence, and are ultimately led up the path of self-actualization.
As Buddha once said, “The mind is everything. What you think you become.” Into The Mind is about becoming.
The early season snow has piled up enough to get some runs open for some hungry powder seekers.
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It is official: Big Red Cats in Rossland BC will fire up the Cats for the first runs of the 2012/2013 catskiing season! Kieren Gaul of BRC was up in the terrain today and is stoked to announce that they will be running the snowcats this weekend. After a long summer of anticipation, they sold out their first cat on Saturday November 24th but have seats open on Sunday.
The early season deal is $2399 for the entire cat. Conditions are still early season and only limited terrain is open, but they pushed a road into the top yesterday so they are ready to rip!
For more info or to secure your spot, give Big Red Cats at call at 250-362-2271
Tell them we sent ya!
Here are Kieren's First Turns...
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on Wednesday, 21 November 2012.
Posted in Powder Skiing
