Where to Go Cat Skiing in North America

Cat skiing—accessing untouched powder terrain via a snowcat—is one of the most extraordinary experiences for skiers and riders. Unlike the traditional ski resort experience, cat skiing affords the opportunity to explore pristine, backcountry terrain with the luxury of being transported right to the top of summits, powder-filled bowls, and tree runs. A number of North America ski resorts offer cat skiing, giving die-hard skiers and riders the opportunity to access some of the most remote and scenic parts of the resort and surrounding mountains. While this by no means is an exhaustive list, the following gives you a taste of some of the best cat skiing at North America ski resorts.

Note that while some of these experiences are available on-resort, others take place on nearby mountains.

Where To Go Cat Skiing In North America

Purgatory Resort, Colorado

Located in Durango, Colorado, Purgatory Resort is well known for its steep and deep terrain. Purgatory Snowcat Adventures, Colorado’s largest cat skiing operation with access to 35,000 acres of terrain, takes things to another level. Offering guided trips in the San Juan Mountains, Purgatory’s snowcats can access areas that are generally untouched by skiers and snowboarders. Snowcat guides take you deep into the backcountry, where you’ll find lots of open bowls, glades, and powder-filled terrain. Guests can generally expect 6-8 runs and 7,000’-9,000′ of vertical. Avalanche gear, rentals, and lunch are provided. It’s recommended to bring your own bottle for water.

Purgatory’s snowcat program is designed for advanced skiers who are comfortable skiing black diamond runs in deep powder, tight trees, steep pitches, and unmarked hazards. The price is $750 per seat or $7,000 to rent a private cat. While Purgatory itself offers excellent skiable terrain, the snowcat operation allows you to explore areas that would be impossible to reach otherwise. Reservations are required. Trips can be requested on their website.  

Check out Lodging options at Purgatory

Monarch Mountain, Colorado

Upgrade your experience at Monarch with Monarch Cat Skiing, which introduces guests to 1,635 acres of diverse expert terrain. Featuring everything from wide-open bowls and steep chutes to stunning glades and exceptional tree skiing, Monarch Cat Skiing is an adventure for true powder enthusiasts. Prices for the 2024/25 season range from $500 for single seats to $6,300 for a full 12-seat snowcat, with discounts available for Monarch season pass holders. Lunch and an après-ski drinks (beer, wine, or non-alcoholic options) are included in the price. Among the benefits of this unique experience is the opportunity to demo top-of-the-line powder skiing gear from Head and Never Summer at no additional cost. Each guest is provided with a beacon, while an optional Avi Float Pack is available at no extra charge. This program is for expert skiers and riders only. Book your spot.

Monarch Mountain Cat Skiing is a member of CatSki US, which aims to provide a framework for cat skiing operation standards across the country and promote education for member operators. 

Check out Lodging options at Monarch Moutain

Brundage Mountain Resort, Idaho

Brundage has a devoted following of skiers and riders, thanks in part to its abundant snowfall (more than 300″ per year) and uncrowded vibe. The powder and wide-open terrain is in even more abundance with Brundage Cat Skiing, providing exclusive access to more than 17,000 acres of pristine backcountry terrain in the Payette National Forest. This terrain includes three unique mountain peaks and a newer area off of Six Mile Ridge. Brundage Cat Skiing offers a true backcountry experience, with expert guides leading you through untouched snow, wide-open bowls, and forested areas that make for some of the best tree skiing in the U.S. The resort’s snowcat service is fully integrated with the ski resort, offering seamless access for guests who want to expand their skiing or snowboarding horizons. 

Guests can join a public cat or rent a private snowcat for up to 10 people. A private cat will generally cost around $5,000, while one seat in a public cat is around $575. The trips are designed for skiers and riders who feel comfortable navigating down steep, forested slopes in various conditions. The package includes avalanche gear and a backcountry introduction session. Most trips see anywhere from 8 to 14 runs in a day, depending on the group’s skill. Reservations can be made on their website.

Check out Lodging options at Brundage

Schweitzer Ski Resort, Idaho

Escape the crowds and go beyond the boundary line at Schweitzer Ski Resort, where 4,350 acres of untouched powder await in the West Bowl of Schweitzer Basin with Schweitzer Backcountry Adventures. Skiers and riders can experience guided cat skiing and snowboarding on pristine terrain, accessed via a PistenBully snowcat featuring a heated 12-passenger cabin. Enjoy a day of adventure with up to 12 fellow powder enthusiasts, exploring a variety of terrain, from thrilling tree runs to open bowls. The Schweitzer cat skiing experience costs $600 per person and is recommended for skiers and riders who feel comfortable on black diamond runs. If you bring a group of friends, you can rent the entire snowcat for a more exclusive experience.

The day begins with an avalanche safety equipment session and continues with transportation to the snowcat, where you’ll ride approximately eight runs with 11,000 vertical feet. Lunch and light snacks are provided. To book a private snowcat, call (208) 255-3081. More information can be found here.

Check out Lodging options at Schweitzer

Snowbird Resort, Utah 

Snowbird is one of Utah’s most iconic resorts. And its snowcat skiing operations makes skiing and riding here that much more incredible. Snowbird’s snowcat service boasts expert guides who take skiers through the hidden backcountry of Little Cottonwood Canyon, which on average sees 500″ of snowfall each winter. Expect deep powder, technical terrain, and stunning views, all while getting away from the groomed ski resort runs.

Snowbird’s cat skiing program includes breakfast, during which you’ll meet with your guides and then take a lap at the resort to get warmed up. Then, participants will have a snowcat safety briefing before heading out. Cat skiing at Snowbird lasts until about 1 p.m., when you’ll return to the resort with a lift ticket to enjoy the rest of your day. Snowbird’s snowcats take groups of 12 people who identify as intermediate or advanced riders. The cost is $650 per person and can be booked online.  

Check out Lodging options at Snowbird

Anthony Lakes, Oregon 

While many skiers and riders head to Mt. Hood and Mt. Bachelor, Anthony Lakes Ski Resort in Eastern Oregon offers a fun ski experience and Oregon’s highest base elevation at 7,100 feet. Anthony Lakes’ exclusive cat skiing trips feature breathtaking scenery and untracked terrain away from the crowds of the Pacific Northwest’s busier ski destinations. You and your group get to handpick the crew; one person books and pays for it, taking the lead on assembling a group you’re comfortable skiing and riding with. Cat trips typically start in mid-January and run through March. The trip grants participants access to 2,000 acres of terrain, including bowls, glades, steeps, and more. Lunch, snacks, water, and hot chocolate are all provided. Additionally, a beacon, shovel, and probes are provided. 

Priced at $3,850 for up to 12 guests, this is a reasonably-priced experience for large groups who want to get off the groomed runs and into untouched powder the perfect. Fill out a trip request form here.

Mt. Bohemia, Michigan

While the Midwest may not bring to mind big mountain cat skiing, Mt. Bohemia’s snowcat operations offer a fun and unique cat skiing experience. Located on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Mt. Bohemia is known for its steep terrain and abundant snowfall, especially for a Midwest ski area. The resort offers a more intimate cat skiing experience, with access to great terrain. Cat skiing through Mt. Bohemia takes place at nearby Voodoo Mountain. With a combination of open runs and glades, the ski area is one of the few commercial cat ski operation sites east of the Rockies. Voodoo Mountain gets around 300″ of snowfall a year, making it an ideal spot for cat skiing.

While the experience at Mt. Bohemia and Voodoo Mountain is more low-key than the major Western resorts, it offers the best opportunity for cat skiing in the Midwest. Each cat has 17 spots per trip, which costs $175 per person. Alternatively, guests can book the whole cat for $2,000. This make for a great introduction to cat skiing. Spots can be reserved online for cat skiing through mid-March.

Check out Lodging options at Mt. Bohemia

Revelstoke Mountain Resort, British Columbia

Revelstoke is a true haven for powder hounds, offering some of the most expansive terrain in North America. The resort itself has 3,121 acres of skiable terrain, but with the addition of cat skiing, you can go beyond the boundaries and experience untouched alpine bowls, forests, and ridge lines. What’s more, you don’t have to be an expert skier to experience cat skiing at Revelstoke. Their Intro to Cat Skiing Program is a two-day intro to powder program geared towards confident intermediate and up skiers who want to experience untouched powder.

Guests of Revelstoke’s Intro to Cat Skiing Program will spend one day with instructors and guides leading them through an improvement skills session focused on powder skiing. Day two will be spent cat skiing with Great Northern Snowcat Skiing guides on moderate and low-angle terrain. Skiers will ride terrain in the Bad Shot range of the Selkirk Mountains. The price is $1,099 per person, which includes a 1-day lift ticket, 2 days of powder gear rentals, the cost of instruction, and the cost of 1 day of cat skiing, transportation, breakfast, and lunch. You can book your Revelstoke cat skiing experience on their website.

Check out Lodging options at Revelstoke

Red Mountain, British Columbia

Big Red Cats is a premier cat skiing operation located in the heart of British Columbia at Red Mountain Resort. Red Mountain itself is a jewel of a ski resort with an incredible mix of challenging terrain and breathtaking views, making it the perfect base for both skiers and riders that want a taste of Interior British Columbia. Big Red Cats offers the unique opportunity to experience backcountry skiing and snowboarding in a truly remote destination that on average receives more than 300″ of snow per year. Guests can expect deep powder and incredible runs. Prices typically range from $650 to $1,000 per day, depending on the package, which includes guided skiing, avalanche safety gear, and lunch. Private cats can be rented for around $7,500.

Daily trips are offer for skiers and riders, with separate cats available for expert, advanced, and intermediate groups. More information about their package offerings can be found here.

Check out Lodging options at Red Mountain