Cat Ski Colorado
Colorado has more snowcat skiing companies than any other state - including Alaska. With so many options (at last count, there are 11 operators in the state and a couple of fledgling companies also offering tours in the San Juans), how do you choose which Colorado cat skiing company is right for you? We hope the table below (compiled from data posted on company websites) and our suggestions will help in your decision.
Colorado Snowcat Skiing Companies
Snowcat skiing table showing rates, acres, vertical, runs and location.| Name | Rates | Private | Acres | Vertical | Runs | Lunch | Skis | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan Ski Co. | $350 | $3,500 (12 max.) | 35,000 | 10,000-15,000 | 10-15 | yes | yes | Durango Mountain Resort/San Juans |
| Silverton Powdercats | $335 | $3,000 (10 max.) | 3,500 | NA | 9-14 | yes | no | Silverton/Molas Pass |
| Monarch Snowcat | $275 | $3,000 (12 max.) | 1,000 | 9,000-11,000 | 10-12 | yes | for rent | Monarch Mountain |
| Irwin | $500 | $4,500 | 1,000 | 10,000-15,000 | NA | yes | yes | Crested Butte/Elk Mountains |
| Steamboat Powdercats | $450 | $4,500 (12 max.) | 10,000 | 8,000-14,000 | 8-16 | yes | yes | Steamboat Springs/Buffalo Pass |
| Powder Addiction | $400 | $4,000 (12 max.) | 2,600 | NA | 7-12 | yes | yes | Winter Park/Jones Pass |
| Vail PowderGuides | $400 | $4,440 (12 max.) | 3,500 | NA | 8-12 | yes | upon request | Vail Pass |
| Chicago Ridge | $275 | $2,800 (12 max.) | 2,460 | NA | 10-12 | yes | for rent | Ski Cooper |
| Aspen Powder Tours | $410 | $4,320 | 1,200 | 10,000 | 10 | yes | no | Aspen Mountain |
| Keystone Kat | NA | NA | less than 1,000 | NA | NA | yes | yes | Keystone |
The low down on snowcat skiing
Why does size matter?
If storms aren’t hitting and the snow is not flying, a snowcat company with less acres will get tracked up fast. Since most cat skiing reservations are made weeks, if not months in advance, you have no idea what the snow conditions will be the day of your trip. You might pay big bucks to ski over old tracks or to slash through wind and sun crust. More permitted acres ensure that you will ski untracked powder, despite the conditions or lack of recent snow.
Also, several companies run two or more snowcats a day. The more cat skiers and snowboarders hitting the terrain, the faster the area will get tracked up. Nobody wants to spoon their buddies tracks to conserve powder for the next group.
Below are a few questions to consider before booking a snowcat trip.
What happens if there is a mechanical breakdown?
Despite regular maintenance, equipment breaks or gets stuck. To ensure day is full of powder turns, not powder woes, ask if there is a backup ‘cat or what the refund policy is if there is a mechanical breakdown.
What are the guides’ certifications?
Enough said. You want to trust your guides and their choice of terrain. Some questions to ask are: ( 1) What is the safety record? (2.) Are the guides’ accredited? ( 3) What are the guides’ experience?( 4) How many years have they been guiding?
Also, what is the protocol if there is an injury or medical emergency?
Are groups split based on ability?
If you are a rippin’ skier or snowboarder, you don’t want to be booked into a snowcat trip with inexperienced skiers/riders. Be sure to ask how the snowcat company handles different levels of skiers/riders in the same snowcat.
There are many Colorado catskiing companies that are claiming to be the “best”… best terrain, best-day ever, best snow, best backcountry experience. For an unbiased review, call a local ski shop or two and get the low down.
Why cat ski with the San Juan Ski Company?
* We have more acres than all snowcat skiing operations in Colorado combined and almost 10 times the terrain as our nearest competitor. Our permitted area is 35,000 acres.
* More terrain means you are guaranteed untracked powder lines. We promise it, our your money back.
* We only run one trip a day. With so much terrain and only one cat ski trip a day, you are assured untracked power all day long, even if it hasn’t snowed for weeks.
* We have challenging terrain – steeps, tight trees and big-mountain bowls. We cater only to advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders.
* We ski/board in both high alpine and trees. Our highest drop is 12,500 feet. If it is dumping and visibility is poor up high, if the alpine is wind-hammered or if there is a high avalanche danger, we ski trees.
* We have thousands of acres of north-facing aspects where the snow stays cold and light, even in late March!
* Our guides are all avalanche certified.
* We are conveniently located near the base of DMR. You cat trip starts from here.
