Frequently Asked Questions About San Juan Ski Company Snowcat Skiing Trips
How do I make a snowcat skiing reservation?
You need to call the San Juan Ski Company to place a reservation or book online through our online booking service. If you book your cat skiing trip online, please read our reservation, ability and waiver web pages and cancellation and refund policies before purchasing a trip. During the ski season, we are often away from our reservation desk and in the backcountry. Please leave a phone message or email us and we will get back to you.
Where do we meet?
Catskiing guests meet in our office, 49617 US highway 550 suite #1, located 300 feet past (if heading north) the entrance to DMR, in the Lodge at Purgatory. We are in the same building as Gold Medal Sports.
What if I need to know how many seats you have open on a certain day and you are away from your office?
Please check our online calendars and follow instructions for using the calendar to check seat availability. You do not have to book online to use this calendar. If there are openings on the day you want to book, either email or leave a message and we will hold those seats for you. Or book the seats online.
What ability level do I need to be?
We suggest that all our guests be comfortable skiing tight trees and skiing/riding in variable backcountry conditions. If it is storming or conditions are poor up high, we will be skiing deep powder in the trees. We do not split the group based on abilities. If you have never skied trees, please contact us and we can discuss your ability and options.
Usually, slower skiers do not hold up the group since it takes the snowcat a while to get to the pickup zone. What does slow down the group is pokiness gearing up, not following the guides’ instructions, skiing below the snowcat or cat roads, and lost or buried equipment.
What physical condition do I need to be in?
Since we are cat skiing at high elevations – 9,500 to 11,500 feet – guests should be in good physical condition. If you have any medical conditions, please let our guides know before heading out in the morning.
How long will I be gone?
We meet at 8 am and leave the base area at 8:30 sharp. We return to the base of DMR around 4:30. We do not come back to the ski area for lunch.
What is your snowcat skiing like?
Powder! Our terrain ranges from expansive bowls, to steep, tight trees, to open cruiser glades. A short hike can access chutes. We have cliffs and cornice jumps. Our trees range from nicely spaced old-growth spruce to regenerated Forest Service clear cuts, where the sapling-size trees can be tight and the tree wells deep. We are the only snowcat operation in the U.S. that has access to so many huge bowls (off Graysill Mountain).
With so much terrain and an average 300 inches of snow annually, we guarantee powder every run! We have untracked powder weeks after the last storm. On stormy days, we usually ski trees since the visibility is better. Once the storm clears out, we head up to our alpine area and start attacking the bowls. Since we have so much terrain, we can move around to different aspects and elevations to insure that guests get the best possible powder snow and skiing experience.
What are your conditions like if it hasn’t snowed in a couple of weeks?
We are skiing powder! Since we have such an enormous amount of terrain, we ski powder weeks after the last storm. In fact, we guarantee you will ski powder or we will refund your trip.
Where do you cat ski?
Our permitted area is north of DMR – including Grayrock and Graysill Mountain, and west of DMR, including Hotel Draw and Scotch Creek. Cascade Creek is our east boundary; East Fork of Hermosa Creek is our south Boundary. We do not ski in terrain immediately adjacent to the ski area. Instead, the snowcat takes you deep into the backcountry.
How do we get the the snowcat?
We ride in our 15-person 4×4 van equipped with matt tracks to meet the snowcat. The van serves as a limo and clips along at 25 miles an hour. If we are skiing Cascade Creek, guests usually make their first powder turns around 30 minutes after loading in the van. If we are skiing up high or in Scotch Creek, the ride is a little longer.
How much vertical can I get in a day?
Runs vary in length from 500 feet to almost 1,900 feet. Vertical depends on weather and conditions and where we are skiing for the day. Typically, a guest can except between 8 and 13 runs and to ski between 10,000 to 15,000 feet.
Am I guaranteed a certain amount of vertical?
You are guaranteed six runs. If our snowcat breaks down and you have not skied six runs, we will give you a free trip for the following year or refund your credit card depending on the number of runs you got in.
Can I bring my own skis or snowboard?
Yes, but if you do not have powder skis we suggest that you take out our powder skis that are 120 cm underfoot. These “fat” boards will make skiing powder more enjoyable and less fatiguing. They are included with the trip cost.
What do you provide?
We provide powder skis, avalanche safety gear, (BCA tracker beacon, shovel and shovel pack), sack lunch, water, water bottle, snacks and one-way lift ticket.
What should I bring on the snowcat?
Since the weather can change fast, bring a small day pack and carry an extra layer as well as sunscreen and any person items you might need. We also recommend you ski with a helmet.
Can I go on a snowcat trip if I don’t ski?
Yes, we can accommodate non-skiers. Price for a seat is the same. Non skiers must accompany a guest who is skiing or riding.
We do not have an age limit. Children should be advanced skiers and comfortable skiing in all conditions. We encourage families to rent the entire snowcat for an experience that will last a lifetime.
Are there bathroom facilities?
No.
How long does it take to get to your base at DMR from:
Denver - around six hours. Longer if it is snowing.
Telluride - two hours. Longer if it is snowing.
Silverton - around 35 minutes, longer if it is snowing.
Durango - around 30 minutes, depending on if you are on the north or south side of town.
Pagosa Springs - allow two hours.