Backcountry Skiing For Intermediate Skiers
By Lockie Brown, Thu Dec 8th

Snowcats have made backcountry accessible tointermediate skiers.

Backcountry offers vast expanses of soft, consistentpowder snow in remote and spectacular high-mountain settings.Often considered the domain of hardy and self-reliant skitouring enthusiasts, or of proficient and deep-pocketedhelicopter skiers, backcountry is now easily accessibleto snowcat skiers.

Snowcat is typically much more affordable than helicopterskiing and can be more adaptable to skier ability. Also, itrequires no special equipment or backcountry experience.However, good physical fitness is desirable, especially inskiers with little powder snow experience.

Cat operators offer full-service tours into remote, highalpine areas. Guests stay in comfortable lodges withdouble-occupancy bedrooms and private baths, excellent food, andoutdoor hot tubs, complete with bar service. Guests’ needs andcomfort and safety comes first, both inside the lodge and on thehill. Everyone has a good time. Refer to the Cat Articles photo gallery(http://cat-skiing-articles.blogspot.com) for a pictorialdescription of snowcat skiing.

Western Canada boasts many backcountry lodges, whereintermediate and expert skiers alike use snowcats to access thevery best of backcountry skiing. One such lodge is ChatterCreek's rustic 9300 sq.ft. Vertebrae Lodge which can be viewedat www.backcountrywintervacations.com/vertebrae-lodge.html

Guests ski in groups of 12. Each group has a dedicated snowcat,two highly qualified guides and a driver. Groups can beassembled according to ability, and because the snowcat andguides move at the pleasure of the group, the whole party enjoysterrain and a pace of that best suits them. There isnever pressure to maximize the utilization of the equipment.Snowcat is equally enjoyable for experts and strongintermediates alike and for both skiers and snowboarders.

On the hill, the lead guide sets the track and the guestsfollow, with everyone in fresh, untracked snow. The guidestops occasionally to regroup and to give people a chance torest, to take pictures and to share their experiences. Thefrequency of stops depends on the ability and strength of thegroup. Strong groups may ski non-stop to the bottom; 1800 to2000 ft. of pure joy! Other groups may have a few stops alongthe way. The guests determine the pace, not the guide.

The lead guide keeps his flock together and sees that no onefalls too far behind. The second guide, called the “tailgunner”,is always the last person down the hill. If a guest falls or hasdifficulty, the tailgunner will be at their side to assist.

Cat offers a special experience for family groups(children aged 19 & older)*, ladies groups, groups of businessassociates or groups of friends. In a diverse social group,everyone can feel relaxed and “part of a team”. Companions canbe enjoyed, not only in the lodge in the evenings, but also onthe ski hill. Groups keep together and interact while skiingand, on the ride back up the hill, share jokes and conversation.The snowcat rides allow guests to unbutton, warm up, dry out,enjoy some lunch and to take more pictures.

Many guests arrive in prearranged groups of 12, organized by oneof the group members. These groups fill a single snowcat and canbe very compatible, with everyone well together.

However, guests arriving singly or

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in pairs can be assured ofjust as good a time as members of pre-arranged groups. The touroperator will usually try to place individuals in a suitablegroup and they will quickly make new friends and fit in to avery sociable environment.

Guides are expert in finding “lines” for skiers of differingability. Better skiers might enjoy some “steeps” or “pop” offbumps while others in the group are guided on a more “mellow”line. Everyone has ample opportunity to challenge themselves,and to wear themselves out.

As the end of the day approaches, and guests may start to tire,they are welcome to sit out a run and ride back down the hillwith the snowcat driver. A slower skier may occasionally “sitout” a run to allow the rest of the group a faster-paced run. Ifa guest wants to “call it a day”, a staff member will drive themback to the lodge on a snowmobile. Staff is committed to serviceand want to make guests as comfortable and relaxed as possible.

Safety is the primary concern in the backcountry. Snowcat skiersare always led by fully trained guides. The guide not onlyselects safe terrain, but also the safest track through theterrain. When the snow is unstable in the alpine regions, abovethe tree line, will be restricted to more stable slopesat lower elevations. The first line of defense is prudence andeven in periods of high stability, guides will always “play itsafe”.

“Tree skiing” is a fixture of all backcountry skiing. Snowcatskiers never hesitate due to weather. On stormy days, snowcatskiers just head to the trees, where the snow’s best and thevisibility is good.

The smooth consistency of the snow and short, fat “powder” skisallow intermediate skiers to master terrain they would notnormally attempt. There are no moguls and lumps of snow tocontend with. The snow is soft and light and helps controlspeed. Skiers who rarely “ski the trees” not only find they cando it, but that it’s fun! The sense of accomplishment anddelight after a first “tree run” is enormous.

Cat offers a welcoming, fun-filled and comfortableexperience to skiers and snowboarders having a wide range ofabilities. It’s an experience that’s nice to share with friendsand family, but single individuals can be assured of enjoyingthemselves, having wonderful and of making new friends.

Many snowcat operators recommend that skiers be at least “strongintermediates” and some snowcat operators prefer expert skiersonly. However, physically fit intermediate skiers of lesserability can also do well at many snowcat venues,especially if they are part of a specially organized group of12. Skiers who are unsure of their ability should discuss theirconcerns with a tour operator, who will be pleased to makerecommendations.

The Chatter News photo journal has over 350photos at http://powder-skiing.blogspot.com/.

*Children younger than 19 may often accompany their parents.However, more mature offspring will better enjoy the lodge life(http://lodge-life-at-chatter-creek.blogspot.com) and the otherguests. Guests in their 20’s and 30's will relate well to theyoung, personable staff.

About the author:Lockie Brown lives in Vancouver, Canada and skis on Whistler andBlackcomb Mountains. He organizes cat trips for groups offriends. In 2005, he will take a group of 36 to Chatter Creek Snowcat Skiing, locatedabout 120 km north of Golden, BC., in a snow belt in theCanadian Rockies. Chatter Creek has a Web site atwww.chattercreekcatskiing.com