We had the opportunity to get out and explore the new terrain that is now being offered at Keefer Lake Catskiing. Located just a short drive East of Vernon, British Columbia, and only a 2 hour drive the Kelowna International airport, it is easy to get to and sure to be attracting attention....

This past season Backcountry Access came out with the BC Link. An affordable and easy to use 2-way radio with all the features designed for backcountry and winter use.

When it comes to backcountry skiing and travel, safety is paramount. Whether you’re a catsking operator, or just a recreational ski bum, this fact should remain the same. One more way to ensure safety in a group is communication. Ski guides and professionals have been carrying portable radios for years, and it is becoming more common for entire groups to be linked up. This is where the BC Link fills a need.

A town that is a must see on a ski tour of the Kootenays is Rossland, BC. Rossland is a turn of the century mining town, and is a great draw to skiers and tourists all year round. Rossland and Nelson, winners of the 2012 POWDER Magazine ski town throw down, are a hub for numerous catskiing, heli skiing, and ski resort operations.

One of these that is benefiting from the early cold temperatures and storm systems is Big Red Cats. Check out these pictures, taken from some "work" the crew was doing on November 20. I think I need to get in on this job of checking the snowpack.

Big Red Cats will open early if snow conditions allow, so keep an eye here for any updates, or check out their website for availability.

Check out our Catskiing Map for other operations in that area and around the world, and start planning a trip today!

There may still be grass showing through where you live, but in BC's snow belt, it's starting to pile up. The area around Revelstoke, British Columbia is well known for it's deep, blower pow, and 2013-14 is shaping up just that way for Mustang Powder. Check out these pictures taken around the lodge over the past couple days. The snowpack is already at 125 cm, and they have started on the arduous task of building the cat roads for the season.

Mustang Powder is a Beautiful destination, with a large timber frame backcountry lodge, and world class catskiing. Nick and the crew are all about skiing, and they will have you out on the Mountain from first light to sundown. Space fills up quick, so take advantage of the spots they have left before they're gone. If you are looking for something a little more challenging and less people, they have a small groups/steep chutes program. 6 people getting to more remote lines in sick terrain, check it out here.

Just one Tenure over and benefiting from the same great snow, is K3 Catskiing. They run day trips out of Sicamous or Revelstoke, and provide a great way to squeeze in a day or two of catskiing if you are going to be in the area.

The Skevik Anton (A tribute to the namesake itself, Mr. Anton Skevik) is a great, big mountain ski with versatility for all mountain use. On first glance, I liked it for it's wood topsheet appearance and the Anderson graphic displaying Moose and maple leafs. It kind of bears resemblance to an old Christmas sweater, and it draws a lot of attention from onlookers.

On the snow, it continued to impress me. I skied the Anton 185 for a few days late last season out at Selkirk Wilderness in the West Kootenays of British Columbia. I had a hard time giving them up for anyone else to try because I was having such a good time on them. The 185 was a good balance of a big mountain, beefy ski to handle all the variable conditions and high speed. The 122 mm underfoot and rocker give it great float in the pow, and still light enough and easy to crank around in tight chutes and trees. It's a bit wider than what most people would call the "one ski quiver", but it is one of my favorites to take out in the backcountry or on the ski hill.

The Anton remains unchanged for 2013/14, and you should check it out if you get the chance. As you can see from the video, I have trouble coming up with more words to say about the ski. You just need to try them for yourself. Skevik Skis are available online or at Attrigde in Vernon, BC, just down the street from where the skis are made.

If you are anything like my friends and I, and you're reading this so I assume you are, then you are scrolling the web in eager anticipation of the ski season that is about to begin. The skis are waxed, the Icebreaker long johns have been pulled out of hiding, the backpack is sitting by the door ready to go, and you're sitting in a chair in your underwear looking at ski websites and weather reports. I may have lost a couple of you on the last one, but I know you are jonesing for some time in the mountains.

Here's a good fix to hold you over a couple more weeks. Our resident Photographer, Geoff Holman, has just launched a new portfolio website. It focuses on deep powder action from cat and heli operations like Selkirk Wilderness Skiing, Valhalla Powdercats, and Snowwater Heliskiing. If you've been to the West Kootenays, you know these are some of the best places to hit and the pictures prove it.

Check it out, and let the pictures do the talking. www.geoffholman.ca

Earlybird Specials - Must be booked by July 1st 2012:

Red Reservations Luxury Condos 40% OFF!

Full-Cat Safari Packages (must have a group of 12):

In 3 Feb, out 10 Feb, 7 nights in the Big Red Lodge. 3 days cat skiing at Big Red Cats, 2 days at Valhalla Powder Cats, and 1 day lift pass at Red Mountain or Whitewater Resort: $2427 per person INCLUDING ALL TAXES

In 12 Jan, out 19 Jan, 7 nights in the Big Red Lodge, 3 days at Big Red Cats, 2 days at Valhalla Powder Cats, 1 day pass for Red Mountain or Whitewater Resort: $2176 per person INCLUDING ALL TAXES

Or book a group of 8 and get a 9th seat for free!  Book a group of 6, and get a 7th seat half price.

The first official day of the 2012/2013 season is December 26th, 2012. Although, they have been know to open if there is enough snow!

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (250) 362-2271 to book the 2012/2013 season.

It's never too early!

It's the first Friday of June and already I am thinking about the wait until next powder season. We have had reports in from a few catskiing operations already. Telling us that they have been out scouting new terrain, planning new roads and designing some creative packages for you for the 2012/2013 season.

So to help feed your addiction I found this post this morning from wonderful world wide web. It is an edit by Eliel Hindert and has some killer powder shots and a decent sound track. It's Friday, you have worked hard all week. Take a break and check out this video.

You may recognize some footage from the Kootenay area. Specifically Red Mountain, Whitewater and Revelstoke Mountain.

Happy Friday! Enjoy...

We are between catskiing trips here at catskiing.ca and we were looking for a way to have some fun.   We had scouted this cut block earlier in year and were waiting for an opportunity to try it out.  Then came along a great excuse, Adam's birthday.  Check out the results of Redneck Cat skiing below. *Remember that heading out into the back country presents different hazards than resort skiing.  Please make sure that you have the proper gear and experience using it.