Backcountry
Brains
For those looking for untouched powder and a remote backcountry experience, it is hard to beat cat skiing. As a cheaper alternative to heli-skiing, it gives guests the thrill of exploring endless terrain without the crowds or lift lines of resort skiing.
Conveniently, some resorts offer a cat skiing operation attached to the ski area so guests can experience the best of both worlds at a single location. Ripping up the resort and then spending a day or two cat skiing makes for a pretty epic experience, especially if you hit the conditions right.
This differs from independent, standalone cat ski operations that can be located further away from resorts or even in completely isolated mountains. Additionally, this is not to be confused with resort-based cat skiing, which typically comes with your lift ticket or requires a small fee per ride, is typically unguided, may offer access to a limited area, and fresh tracks aren’t always guaranteed.
Below are some of the best places to enjoy cat skiing adjacent to a ski resort so you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Brundage, ID
Brundage boasts the best snow in Idaho and offers guided cat skiing trips into the beautiful backcountry of the Payette National Forest. Snowcat trips are offered on 17,912 acres of snowy steeps, tree-lined glades, and powdery bowls reaching elevations of nearly 8,500 feet. The expansive backcountry terrain includes three incredible mountain peaks for all-day enjoyment. Guests can expect 8-14 runs a day that cover 8,000 to 12,000 vertical feet.
Purgatory, CO
Purgatory Snowcat Adventures, located at Purgatory Resort in Colorado, offers the largest cat skiing operation in the state. It has access to over 35,000 acres of stunning backcountry terrain in three primary zones. Guests can expect 6-8 untouched powder runs a day through open bowls, glades, and steep pitches for 7,000-9,000 vertical feet daily. Each tour is guided, ensuring safety and an exceptional experience as participants explore Colorado’s finest deep snow and exceptional Northern and Southern San Juan Mountains views.
Schweitzer, ID
For 21 years, Selkirk Powder ran the cat skiing operation on the backside of Schweitzer Mountain. Now, for the 2024-25 season, Schweitzer is the owner and will continue the backcountry experience for guests under the name of Schweitzer Backcountry Adventures.
The terrain just beyond the ski area boundary line in the west bowl of Schweitzer Basin is powder skiing bliss. With a heated Piston Bully snowcat, 12 guests can explore 4,350 acres of untouched powder lines in trees and open bowls.
Monarch Mountain, CO
Cat skiing at Monarch Mountain offers adventurous skiers and snowboarders access to 1,635 acres of pristine, backcountry terrain in Colorado’s San Isabel National Forest. This guided experience takes riders through untouched powder, steep chutes, and expansive alpine bowls, delivering an authentic backcountry thrill beyond the resort’s boundaries. Monarch’s snowcat tours cater to advanced and expert riders looking for deep snow and varied terrain with breathtaking views of the surrounding Rockies.
Loveland, CO
Just east of Lift 8 at Loveland Ski Area is Dry Gulch, where Loveland Snowcat Tours offers an authentic backcountry guided snowcat experience for intermediate and expert skiers and snowboarders. Trips are offered on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays on 580 acres of open bowl skiing with guides who know where to find the goods.
Anthony Lakes, OR
Cat skiing at Anthony Lakes in Oregon provides access to over 2,000 acres of incredible backcountry terrain featuring some of the state’s highest-elevation powder. Known for its dry, fluffy snow and stunning alpine scenery, Anthony Lakes’ cat skiing offers a mix of open bowls, steep tree runs, and diverse terrain suited for advanced and expert skiers. With small group sizes and experienced guides, the tours offer a personalized, exciting experience away from crowds. The operation also emphasizes affordability, making it a fantastic, budget-friendly option for powder enthusiasts seeking fresh tracks in a beautiful, remote setting.
Soldier Mountain, ID
Soldier Mountain’s cat skiing in Idaho’s scenic Sawtooth Mountains is a hidden gem for those looking for a unique, adventure-filled escape in the backcountry. You can even retreat to a quiet, cozy yurt nestled high above the Camas Prairie and enjoy a night under the stars before your next powder day.
Aspen, CO
Aspen Powder Tours is on the backside of Aspen Mountain and can take you to some of the best stashes in North America. After riding up the gondola, luxury snowcats take guests to prime untracked glades and runs with fresh tracks guaranteed. A hearty lunch is served in a cozy wood-stove heated cabin in the heart of the picturesque Elk Mountains. A typical day averages 10,000 vertical feet of ungroomed wilderness skiing and boarding in an expanse of 1,500 acres. Book early because reservations are subject to a lottery for any day where demand exceeds capacity.
Ski Cooper, CO
The heart of skiing in the heart of the Rockies gets even better with Chicago Ridge Snowcat Tours, which operates out of Ski Cooper Ski Area. Guests can access 1,400 vertical feet of skiing and have a unique lunch spot at a yurt. In addition to full-day tours, half-day tours are available in the morning and afternoon on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
All these resorts and adjoining cat skiing operations offer their guests the convenience of enjoying the resort and getting fresh tracks in the backcountry. Even though cat skiing may be “the poor man’s heli-skiing,” the thrill and quality of skiing could be no different if you hit the conditions right. If not, there’s always the lift-served ski area to keep you entertained.
