The latest news from the catskiing / snowcat industry. Where to ski, who has snow, whats happening. We also post reviews of the latest gear, skis, and some general interest stuff. Be sure to check for last minute deals to make your winter vacation the best.
Retallack Lodge is known in the skiing world as the place for pillow lines and good times. Now it is gaining notoriety as a backcountry mountain biking mecca. And for good reason as you can see by the above video. Rider Kurt Sorge takes us on a journey exploring all the different styles of riding that you could experience up at Retallack. From fast flowing trails complete with corners to rail and table tops to air to technical ascents that lead you to epic Kootenay vistas. What a great video. Check it out, dust of your bike, grab your buds and head to Retallack for an all you can eat adrenaline spiced dirt buffet!
March has been the continuation of what is shaping up as a winter to remember. The snow keeps hammering down and sugar coating our mountains almost daily. People are stoked. I am stoked. And the only thing to get that stoke even higher is strapping on a brand new set of skis. I picked up my latest set of Skevik Skis from Attridge Ski Shop in Vernon BC. When I got home I was as giddy as I was when I would get new skis as a kid. It was Sunday evening, it was snowing, the texts were flying - "Let's ski tomorrow morning..."
So I dug through my gear and found my binding drill bit, got out some measuring apparatuses and went to work free mounting my new skis! After about an hour of measure twice, drill once I had my new sticks bridled with a sweet pair of slack country touring bindings. I am now ready for anything.
I have been skiing on Skevik Skis for a few years now and really dig the feel of the skis as well as the vibe of the company. My ski of choice has been a set of 185cm Skevik Antons but this year we convinced the guys to build us the same thing in a 193cm. And wow did they knock it out of the park. Not only are they in my sweet spot for size, they are also a little more stiff. The first few runs woke me up a little. Once I found my stance it was love at first pow slash!
I love skiing on Skevik Skis. Being handbuilt in my neck of the woods is a cool factor but it is more than that. Master ski builder Glenn Anderson puts his technical engineering skill to work blended with the heart and soul of a lifelong skier. He collaborates with regional artists to create some of the most unique and striking graphics I have ever seen. The wood is selected and milled by hand. I have watched the skis being made. It is pure craftsmanship. I know they are an innanimate object, but seeing the skis being formed somehow connects me to the them just a little bit more.
Anyways, you get it. I am pumped about these new skis. They are bigger, stiffer, look unreal and have an etheral quality that has to be experienced to understand.
The lodge has been fired up, the guides had their training sessions, and the first few groups have enjoyed their ultimate powder vacation. Selkirk Wilderness Skiing has kicked off the 2017 catskiing season with a BANG!
Enjoy this video put together by our friend and photographer Steve Shannon. Be sure to catch lead guide Kevin at 1:15....it is epic!
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on Wednesday, 11 January 2017.
Posted in Powder Skiing
If you have been watching the weather at all, you know that BC has been getting hammered this early season. With a good base from early December snow, Valhalla Powdercats was primed for a good dump. And DUMP it did! With 80cms falling in just a couple of days, conditions were primo. Fortunately, the crew from Peak Travels was able to go and test it out for all of us. This video is evidence of the epicness.
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on Saturday, 31 December 2016.
Posted in Powder Skiing
Kieren and Paula, owners of Big Red Catskiing in Rossland BC must have been extra good this year because Santa delivered big time. With massive amounts of early season snow, the crew from Peak Travels arrived and showcased the goods that were left under all those Christmas trees.
WARNING: if you have powder fever, don't watch!
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on Wednesday, 28 December 2016.
Posted in Powder Skiing
The folks at Valhalla Powdercats are definitely on the Nice List!
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Tis the week before Christmas and there is much powder to shred Mom's and Dad's down in the valley doing the shopping they dread Meanwhile Santa was up at Valhalla Powdercats Showing us where the snow was at "Don't fret about the busy-ness of the holiday" he said "Grab your skis or boards and get some turns instead!" All the little boys and girls at VPC have been getting ready For you and your friends, every ski bum and boarder Betty It doesn't matter if you've been naughty or nice, Come to Valhalla and ski some pow, Santa's best advice!
Island Lake Catskiing seems to be a mecca of sorts. A place where the current pros of the day go to check out and see what the allure is to all the skiers and boarders of years gone by. First it was Scot Schmit and Craig Kelly. Today it is the likes of Nick McNutt, Tim Durtschi, Dane Tudor and Dash Longe.
They all come up to Island Lake for some reason or another. In this edit it is to session a massive booter against the backdrop of the jagged peaks of the Lizard Range. There is one common thread between all the pros and all the years: they are always taken by the magestic setting Island Lake is found in. The peaks, the snow, the lodge, the lake. It is all astounding. Pro or not, who wouldn't want to come here.
Enjoy.
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on Wednesday, 21 December 2016.
Posted in Powder Skiing
3 Pisten Bully 600's covered in snow....cue heartbeat rising!
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It is that time of year. The time where it is snowing in the mountains, new ski edits are released daily, climate scientists are predicting weather patterns and the stoke and anticipation is at an all time high. And then we see pictures like this. Three glorious machines covered in a blanket of the white gold we all covet.
Here is a great article written by Jonathan Desabris from Teton Gravity Research. It really dives into the story of how Baldface Lodge came about and why it has become the mecca of snowboarding world wide. From it's humble beginnings, the influence of Craig Kelly to the birth of Travis Rice's Supernatural event. If you ride a board, Baldface should be on your radar.
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