Industry News
It is probably the dream of any skier or snowboarder to own their own ski resort. Every year, ski resorts worldwide are sold to individuals or groups. Most are too expensive for most people to afford to buy solely, and some investment groups are required to acquire them. This chance is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and offers whoever purchases it a piece of skiing history.
- Related: [UPDATE] Summer-Only Ski Area Beartooth Basin, MT, For Sale After 2 Tough Summer-Skiing Seasons
Selkirk Snowcat Skiing, the birthplace of snowcat skiing, is now for sale. Selrik is located in British Colombia, Canada, and was established in 1975 by skiing pioneer Allan Drury. It was the first snowcat operation in the world and has some of the best snowcat-serviced terrain anywhere. The purchase of Selkirk would come with access to unmatched terrain and all the equipment and facilities. The only exception is that the farmhouse is owned personally by the shareholders and is available for purchase separately or can be packaged together with the business.
Unmatched Terrain
At 12,000 acres (49 sq kilometers or 19 sq miles), Selkirk’s tenure is big and almost double the size of Whistler Blackcomb. But statistics don’t do it justice. Spectacular peaks surround Selkirk’s tenure on Meadow Mountain, framing what is often cited as the best cat-serviced terrain in the world. The tenure includes every conceivable mountain aspect, allowing Selkirk to operate daily regardless of what Mother Nature throws at you. The extensive cat road network scales a breathtaking height of 2,560 meters (8,400 feet), providing access to expansive alpine bowls and an impressive 4,200 feet of vertical skiable terrain, usually only found in heliski terrain. Located at the north end of Kootenay Lake and surrounded by glaciers, Selkirk consistently delivers 10 meters (32 feet) of dry Kootenay cold smoke yearly, making it one of the world’s most reliably deep snow zones.
Located at 1,280 meters (4,200 feet) and only accessed by Snowcat, the lodge is the quintessential mountain hideaway exclusively for 24 guests. It is the only cat ski lodge where your last run is a 4,000ft thigh burner right to the deck where après ski awaits. The office and guest meet and greet are off the Balfour-Kaslo-Galena Bay Highway in Meadow Creek, 100 kilometers (62 miles) north of Nelson, British Columbia. U.S. guests typically fly into Spokane, Washington, and domestic travelers fly into Kelowna. Most guests choose to rent cars, but shuttles can be arranged. Transportation to the lodge via Snowcat is provided at set arrival and departure times.
Selkirk just doesn’t offer great terrain. It completely renovated its lodge, offering a rustic feel with a modern flair. Whether relaxing in the hot tub or sauna, curling up by the fire, having a massage, or participating in nightly activities, the lodge exudes an intimate, casual atmosphere where guests feel very much at home. The Grouser Bar serves a curated selection of the best BC wines and local craft beers and is a popular spot for reliving the highlights of an epic powder day.
Turnkey Operation
Over the last nine seasons, the company has reinvested upwards of $3.5 million to improve every aspect of the business. This includes purchasing three Low-Hour Piston Bully 400s and industry-leading custom guest boxes, a fleet of eight new snowmobiles, four new company trucks, and a complete overhaul of the lodge and valley farmhouse. A 2,200-square-foot maintenance shop also offers state-of-the-art, heated vehicle, and equipment maintenance facilities to service five snowcats and nine snowmobiles.
As an accredited member of HeliCat Canada for the last 40 years, Selkirk upholds the highest operational standards and safety procedures. Selkirk’s commitment to its staff shows an average year-over-year staff retention rate of 90%, earning Selkirk a reputation as a great employer. The staff consists of 40 members who provide one of the best products in the snowcat industry.
Main Lodge
On-mountain improvements include the lodge, shop, and accessory buildings. Power for the lodge and shop is generated by a 75kw run of river power hydro turbine. This low-cost, green solution saves 20,000L of diesel fuel annually. Diesel generators provide backup power. The lodge is 12,500 square feet and includes:
- 19 guest rooms in various configurations to appeal to differing budgets and tastes.
- Dining room overlooking the Purcell Mountain Range
- Bar/lounge with stone fireplace
- Games Lounge including pool table, ping pong and shuffleboard
- Den/conference room with digital projector and surround sound
- Gift shop
- Ski rental shop
- Boot/drying room
- Massage room
- Covered hot tub
- Wood burning sauna
- Spacious commercial kitchen
- Manager’s office
- Guides’ office
- Dedicated staff wing with 10 single occupancy staff rooms and shared bathroom and shower facilities
- Newly renovated, private owner’s suite
Snowcats
Three Pisten Bully 400s rotate service for guests, and two Prinoths BR 275s are employed for roadbuilding and hauling freight. The Pistens are custom-built passenger cabs that are spacious, warm, and comfy. The Ricarro bucket seats and Bluetooth sound system make trips between runs relaxing and fun. There is continuous radio communication and check-ins between the guides, snowcat drivers, the lodge, and the office in Meadow Creek. The snowcats carry emergency and safety equipment, including an automated external defibrillator (AED), oxygen, a toboggan, a spinal board, and extra probes, skis, and poles.
Meadow Creek Farmhouse
An integral part of the business is the picturesque farmhouse located in Meadow Creek, which once served as the original lodge. Extensively renovated in 2021, it contains three oversized bedrooms, two full bathrooms, two half baths, large principal rooms, a chef’s kitchen, and a games room. The private offices are staffed year-round, making it the central hub of the operation. The property also boasts several outbuildings, a tennis court, storage, staging facilities, and plenty of guest parking. The farmhouse is owned personally by the shareholders and is available separately or packaged with the business.
Selkirk Snowcat Skiing is a crown jewel in adventure skiing, with accolades that few operations can match. Selkirk is the only cat ski operation featured in the renowned book 50 Places to Ski Before You Die and for a good reason. With over 125 named runs, guests can experience terrain like no other without worrying about down days due to weather. Coupled with unparalleled service and attention to detail, the operation has a remarkable 90%+ guest rebook rate and has been fully booked each season since 2015-16. Its exclusive five-day, six-night program is a unique feature that sets Selkirk apart from every other operation. Selkirk Snowcat Skiing embodies the spirit of adventure, drawing skiers and snowboarders into a world where the mountains feel untamed and boundless. Each run promises the thrill of discovery. There are no crowds, no lift lines, just the quiet hum of the snowcat as it winds its way to a hidden peak. There’s the sense that you share a moment with the mountains that few others ever experience. Snowcat skiing captures the romance of the wild and is an invitation to step beyond the ordinary and embrace the pure, unfiltered joy of skiing in its most natural and thrilling form.
For more information about Selkirk Snowcat Skiing, visit its website or check out the full listing on uniqueproperties.ca.
