Meet the New Owners of High Sierra Snowcat & Yurt Near Mammoth Lakes, CA

Forty-five minutes north of Mammoth Lakes, California, lies some of the most expansive ski terrain in the Eastern Sierra. Accessing the upper alpine above Conway Summit is the key to unlocking this area. Luckily, a cat skiing operation provides direct access to the backcountry in this beautiful area without needing touring gear. High Sierra Snowcat & Yurt is one of 18 cat skiing operations in the entire U.S. and offers fully mechanized cat skiing in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Fully Mechanized Backcountry Skiing with High Sierra Snowcat

Two years ago, Drew Layman and Tessa Andrzejczak became the new owners of High Sierra Snowcat & Yurt (HSS). Before their ownership, the company was primarily a human-powered backcountry experience. Now, Drew and Tessa emphasize fully mechanized skiing and high-quality yurt accommodations. Skiers can show up with their downhill gear and get a taste of the backcountry.

The first year was mostly exploration and making the company their own. With the help of some experienced cat operators, they created a vast network of roads to shuttle skiers. Last season had a slow start due to conditions. However, once the snow started piling up, they were able to get some quality skiing in. Now that they are settled in, it’s time to fire up the snowcats and get folks out into the backcountry again. 

When I called HSS, I was lucky enough to catch Drew for a few minutes to discuss the operation. Tessa was out in the mountains setting up a yurt and preparing for the quickly approaching season. It was immediately apparent how much effort they put into their own business. 

One of the most exciting things to hear from Drew is how they maximize skiing time for guests. With the snowcat shuttling guests up the mountain, there’s no need for skinning. This allows guests to fit in more runs with fresh legs and enjoy 8,000 to 12,000 vertical feet daily. The extensive road network allows skiers to bag 8-10 runs in a day and enjoy a fun uphill cruise between each run. You hop in the cat, jam out to some tunes, have a snack, and ride.

About the Owners

Drew Layman is a fully certified AMGA ski guide, and Tessa is the operations manager. Drew purchased HSS after more than a decade of experience as a ski patroller and ski guide. He started ski guiding at 19 in Utah, Colorado, and Alaska. He has also guided in faraway places like Nepal and Pakistan. After guiding worldwide, he chose to call the Eastern Sierra his home. 

Drew and Tessa met at an Alaskan heli-ski operation while he was guiding and she was working inside operations. Tessa holds a degree in Tourism Management with a Minor in Business Administration. She is the mastermind in operations and logistics and has recently joined the guide crew for High Sierra. Together, they are the perfect duo for this kind of operation.

How it Works

• 8:00 a.m.: Arrive at Conway Summit, all ready for the day. Meet your guides and get an orientation of conditions and our safety protocols.
• 8:30 a.m.: Your guides will lead an Avalanche Safety Briefing, including practice with your transceiver, shovel, and probe.
• 9:00 a.m.: Now for the fun part! Head seven miles into our corner of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.
• 9:30 a.m.: Get dropped off at the top of a slope, ski, ride 10-25 minutes back up, and repeat. Our days revolve around skiing, typically riding 8,000-12,000 ft daily.
• 12:30 p.m.: Lunch, including wraps, soups, and tea, will be eaten in the field as we ride.
• 1:00 p.m.: More powder, wiggles, smiles, etc.
• 4:30 p.m.: Load back up in the cat and enjoy an après snack and beverage on our way back to your car.
• 5:00 p.m.: High fives and celebrate how epic your day was!

HSS operates north of Dunderberg Peak near Conway Summit. It is within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, with nearly 9,000 acres of skiable terrain across multiple basins surrounding Virginia Lake. This area has some great terrain but is faced with long approaches that are otherwise untouchable without backcountry gear. HSS combines snowcats, ski touring, and yurts to provide a safe backcountry experience. That’s why this operation is such a unique option for skiers and snowboarders.

High Sierra Snowcat will also be offering midweek ski touring trips this season. This is the perfect option if you want backcountry access and enjoy the human-powered experience. For a lower price point, you can get dropped off 9 miles into the backcountry by their snowcat, have a fully guided tour, and get picked up at the end of the day. 

Where to Stay

For those looking for an overnight adventure, they offer fully catered yurt experiences for public and private groups. The yurts are winter glamping at its finest. This year, they will host a newly renovated yurt and wood-fired sauna. You can upgrade your experience with a local beer package from June Lake Brewing or a private chef. They even have options for individual skiers looking to share a yurt and make new mountain friends. The yurt experience allows people to fully immerse themselves and stay for two or three days.  

One of the best parts about High Sierra’s location is the ability to stay at the nearby ski towns in either direction. You could book a ski trip to Mammoth Mountain and add a day of cat skiing to change things and escape the crowds. Alternatively, Bridgeport lies to the north with hot springs, winter trail systems, lodging, and dining. The Bridgeport Winter Trail System is a local favorite, and there are two new groomed trails near Twin Lakes. High Sierra Snowcat is in the middle of the action along Highway 395, making it a perfect addition to the ultimate winter vacation.

Finally, when the preparation is done, the tours are booked, and people are skiing, the vision really comes together. That is what these two live for and with good reason. Under this new ownership, HSS will continue to provide high-quality guided adventures with a new focus on cat-skiing throughout the terrain. Nothing beats ski days on the east side, especially when you have a little help from a snowcat.