 Cat Skiing, Valhalla Ranges, Dave Heath photo In fact, recent upgrades and expansions have put cat-skiing, in this region, into a league of its own.
The mountains here -the Monashees, Rockies, Selkirks, Purcells and Valhallas- are legendary for their soaring peaks and vast quantities of champagne powder. While trips vary in comfort from luxurious, high-end lodgings and gourmet dining to more basic room-and-board, all the terrain is exhilarating - eminently worthy of a pilgrimage.
Cat-skiing areas receive from 12-18 m (40-60 ft) of snow annually.
For cat-skiing operator information in the area, visit the HeliCat Canada website.
Highlights:
Fernie: Operators offer single- and multi-day trips from this powder paradise.
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Nelson: This heritage town is the gateway to unforgettable descents in the Selkirks and Valhallas.
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Rossland: The powder descents in the Monashees vary from gentle grades to heart-stopping vertical.
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Meadow Creek: The skiing and riding near this remote town are not for the faint of heart.
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Revelstoke: Skiers and boarders head here for the exquisite champagne powder and incredible vistas.
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Golden: This town is home to one of the largest cat skiing operations in North America.
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Fernie
Fernie is an authentic Canadian mountain mining community rich in coal-mining lore and turn-of-the-20th-century architecture. During the winter, Fernie morphs into a serious snow town, welcoming everyone from hard-core skiers and boarders from around the world to budget-conscious families. Fernie makes an ideal headquarters for an unforgettable powder paradise of cat-skiing and -boarding. Operators offer single-day and multi-day trips, and small groups of guests have the option of staying in remote lodges. After a long, hard day on the slopes, relax in hot tubs or with a massage in nearby areas.
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Nelson
Nelson, often referred to as "the hippest little town in BC," is a charming and friendly community that also happens to be a gateway to the most superlative cat-skiing in the Selkirk and Valhalla mountains. Cat-skiing enthusiasts have access to some of the most outrageous gladed runs in BC, schussing and riding through steep alpine bowls as well as old-growth forests. Operators offer both single-day and multi-day trips. Their lodges are often reached via snowcat.
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Rossland
Rossland is situated high in the Monashee Mountains, at an elevation of 1,023 m (3,410 ft). The cat-ski operation, situated by Red Mountain Resort, offers a variety of terrain and packages that cater to different groups of cat-skiing enthusiasts; intermediate skiers who like powder but not steep slopes; competent powder skiers who enjoy the trees and a challenge; and those hardcore adventurers who live for triple black diamonds, heart-stopping vertical and non-stop, leg-burning action. Each descent varies from 300 m (984 ft) to 1,100 m (3,609 ft) in length.
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Meadow Creek
Meadow Creek is one of the most remote towns in the Kootenay Rockies, situated high in the Selkirk Mountains. The skiing and riding here is not for the faint of heart. Operators claim that their average run length is 600 m (2,000 ft), with some runs exceeding 1,100 m (3,600 ft). Clients in this area will average six to twelve runs a day, each of them mind-blowing. The terrain is varied and steep, consisting of alpine bowls, powder chutes and gladed fall lines.
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Revelstoke
Located between the Selkirk and Monashee mountains on the Columbia River, this town's natural beauty captivates visitors year-round. During the winter, operators offer open bowl and tree skiing. These mountains receive an average of 18 m (60 ft) annually of exquisite powder, making for optimal conditions on outstanding terrain, made even more spectacular, thanks to incredible vistas.
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Golden
This town is situated between the Purcell and Rocky mountains, close to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. Here you will find one of the largest cat-skiing operations in North America. Its current terrain consists of 238 sq km (169 sq mi) of trees, open alpine areas and glacier skiing, for skiers and boarders of all levels. If you have never attempted powder, don't worry: here you will find ideal learning terrain. If powder is your thing, welcome to the mother church. Ski or board between 1,585 m (5,200 ft) and 2,925 m (9,600 ft) above sea level. This higher elevation ensures that the temperature remains colder even when warmer weather moves in; the snow stays light, dry and ideal for knee, mid-thigh or even deeper skiing and riding.
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