British Columbia

BC is well known for its cat skiing operations and lodges, and for good reason. Cat skiing is the perfect way to get fresh powder turns and escape the crowds. British Columbia has become a popular cat ski destination, with some lodges booking out a year in advance.

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Cat Skiing in British Columbia

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Know Before You Go

Insider tips and perks for your trip to British Columbia, curated by our experts.

Tips

Tips for Your Trip

You'll need to decide between single day and multiday packages. The advantage of multiday packages is that you get the full lodge experience and meals included in the packages price. Plus, a longer stay means more opportunity for fresh snow after a storm. Single day can be a great option if you are looking for something more affordable or to add a backcountry day to a resort based trip. Just note, even single day cat skiing often needs to be booked far in advance.
Do you have enough people for a private cat? A private cat means more control over your day, the terrain you ski and the pace because you know the group that you are going with. Cats can seat as few as 6 or as many as 12 guests, so it can be a great option for your group if you have enough skiers.
Pack extra gloves and goggles. This can help with moisture control. Bodies and heavy breathing in the cab often means additional moisture and temperature change, so it's good to have back up goggles. You can mitigate this by cracking windows, but sometimes on high wind days that might not be an option. Be sure to dress in layers as well, so you can take things on and off as needed to stay warm or release some heat.

Perks

The Perks

Cat skiing in British Columbia is the ideal ski vacation for several reasons. One of the most notable benefits is the wide variety of terrain and operators. There are some operators that cater more toward the intermediate skier and place a large emphasis on the lodge experience. Others cater to the more advanced, placing the focus on longer ski days and more challenging terrain. This means that you can pick the operation that is going to get you the exact experience you want.
The price point is another key benefit. You can get a lot of the same experience as a heli ski trip, but for a lower price. The cost of cat skiing can range from $400 to $900 CAD for single day rates. Lodge based and multiday packages can range from CAD $1,500 to $6,000 depending on the duration and the lodging. That is often substantially lower than the cost of the same duration as a heli skiing trip, but you'll still be enjoying the same untracked powder and often the same terrain as those who take to the ski.
There is also very little risk of down days. There may be conditions which are unsafe due to avalanche or visibility, but typically these operations have ways to avoid dangerous zones and find areas with safely skiable terrain. This means when you book your vacation, you can expect to ski the days you are there.
The cat skiing operations in British Columbia are scattered across the province, so depending where you would like to go, there is endless opportunity for different experiences each year.