Overall Rating

FWA - Day Cat Skiing

FWA - Day Cat Skiing4.5/515
FWA - Day Cat Skiing4.5 out of 5 based on 15 reviews
  • Recommend
    100%
  • Would Revisit
    100%
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FWA - Day Cat Skiing Enquire
Price p/p From price based on per person single-day in early/late season for 23/24.
Base/invoice currency is in CAD ex 5% tax.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 444

FWA DAY CAT SKIING PACKAGE
Located near Fernie BC

Location: Canada | Tour Focus: Guided | Terrain Focus: Backcountry
Ability: Strong Intermediate to Expert
Price p/p From price based on per person single-day in early/late season for 23/24.
Base/invoice currency is in CAD ex 5% tax.
*Displayed price may vary due to currency fluctuations.
USD 444
FWA is located just 20 minutes from Fernie ski area making it the perfect adjunct to a Fernie ski trip. The day includes 8-10 runs commencing at 8:00 am at their lodge. Pickups are available if you don't have your own transport.
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Custom Booking Period: Dec 12 - Apr 03, 2024
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FWA Powder Catskiing - Day Cat Skiing Packages

Powder hounds may go barking mad if they don’t get a good fix of fresh powder. A great cure for this problem is to go cat skiing, although a possible side effect for powder hounds is a drooling problem when they get a sniff of all that fresh powder!

Fernie Wilderness Adventures (FWA) Cat Skiing is a great adjunct to a ski holiday at Fernie. Riding at the ski resort is enjoyable, but fresh tracks are far from guaranteed. Go cat skiing with FWA to make sure you get a good dose of virgin snow.

You can join a mixed group with FWA or pull together your own group of 6-12 riders for a private snowcat. You have the option of single or multiple days of cat skiing, and there is also the option of staying at the FWA Lodge.

If you have any questions or want to check availability, you can make a booking request here.

Where is FWA Powder Cat Skiing Located?

Fernie Wilderness Adventures is located about 20 minutes from Fernie, away from major civilisation in the southeast corner of BC Canada. The area is part of the Powder Highway, a region renowned for abundant dry powder.

The Calgary International Airport is 3.5 hours from Fernie and there are many shuttle options to get to Fernie. Cranbrook airport (Canadian Rockies airport) is 1.25 hours away, and Kalispell in Montana is 2 hours away.

If you don’t have a car, return transfers from Fernie to the lodge can be provided for a small fee.



Snowcat Skiing Terrain

The package includes approximately 8 to 10 runs per day which equates to about 10,000 to 12,000 vertical feet (3,048-3,658 metres).The size of the powderhound playground is 3,000 acres (1,214 hectares) with terrain that includes steep ridges, gladed trees and open meadows. The highlights of the terrain are the many interesting features such as mini half-pipes, pillows, and rocks and short cliff bands to huck off.

The terrain is rather technical in places so as a minimum, riders need to be very strong intermediate powder skiers or boarders.

More Reasons to Cat Ski with Fernie Wilderness Lodge

FWA is an experienced operator that is “Waist Deep in History”. Without compromising on safety, the staff are very relaxed and down to earth which adds to the fun experience.

However the highlight of Fernie Wilderness cat skiing is that much of the terrain is like one big natural terrain park. It’s very ski-a-licious (and board-a-licious)!

Your Itinerary

Here is an example of a typical day staying and skiing with Fernie Wilderness Adventures.

8.00 am – Arrival at the Lodge (Pick-ups available) we have a cozy fireplace and bathroom facilities.

After a short talk on the day’s proceedings and a safety briefing regarding snowcat procedures, we load up the snowcat and head out into the backcountry.

9.15am – 9.45am – You step out of the snowcat after ascending up the mountain and our guides begin a quick orientation to ensure your comfort with our safety procedures and equipment. You will be at 6,500 feet altitude, clicking into your bindings for the first run of the day.

9:50 am – A cool mountain breeze brushes against your face as you stare down the mountain at the lead guide drifting effortlessly through the deep powder. Your hands feel shaky and your heart is pounding so hard your worried others can hear it. You breafly imagine your poor coworkers answering emails, stuck in an office as you are visually engulfed from Canada’s purest beauty.

You take a deep breath and push yourself forward.. Bliss.

10:50 am – Repeat

11:50 am – Repeat

12:50 pm – Repeat

1:50 pm – Repeat

2:50 pm – Repeat

3.50pm – 4:30pm – The end of your day depends more on the energy level of the group, snow and weather conditions etc, than what time it is.

5.00pm – You return to our Base Lodge and re-live the day checking out all the photos from the day, have a personalized FWA brand beer and chat with your new friends.

5.30pm – An indulgent dinner will be served for our guests that choose to stay at the lodge with us. Maybe a drink around the fire pit is in order or a dip in the wood fire burning hot tub to relax those tense back muscles. If your lucky enough you will get to repeat this day all over again tomorrow.

Fernie Wilderness Adventures Lodge

The FWA log cabin is absolutely nothing like the glamorous lodges at the Island Lake cat skiing operation. The FWA lodge is rustic and more like what you’d expect of a “wilderness” lodge. At FWA you get more of a genuine mountain experience.

The lodge sleeps only a small number of guests, so you get very attentive service. However it doesn’t feel like “service”. It’s so homely that you feel like you’re staying at Mum’s place.

Where is the FWA Lodge?

The FWA lodge is located about 20 minutes from Fernie, out in the wilderness! It’s possible to drive right to the lodge, and because a snowcat or snowmobile ride is not required to get there, you can pack as many suitcases as you like!

A 4-wheel-drive vehicle would be advantageous for the access road and the carpark. If you don’t have a car, return transfers from Fernie to the lodge can be provided for a small fee.

Rooms

There are eight bedrooms with single or double occupancy, five of which have shared bathroom facilities. We stayed in a room with a bunk; a double bed on the bottom and a single bed on the top. The bunk was a bit wobbly, but the bed linen was superb which is somewhat surprising for a backcountry lodge.

Hot water for a shower is an interesting affair. In order to get hot water, no one in the lodge can run a tap or flush the toilet at the same time!

Facilities

The outdoor hot tub is amazingly unique. It’s a stand-up affair and wood fired, so the temperature is a little hard to regulate, but it’s fabulous for fatigued muscles. The outdoor deck also has a firepit; a great place to enjoy a beer.

You can really get away from it all at the lodge as there’s no internet and only limited cell phone coverage (out in the car park!).

The lodge has both solar and generator power, but the generator is only on for a couple of hours a day, so if you need to use a power point for something (e.g. to charge camera batteries) then plan ahead.

The lounge area has a gorgeous fire and really comfie couches.

Accommodation
  • Single & Double Rooms
  • Some with Private Bath
Lodge Facilities
  • Open Fireplace
  • Ski Tuning Area
  • Cosy Living Area
  • Outdoor wood-fired Hot Tub
Inclusions
  • Lodging
  • Dinner
  • Breakfast

Dining

The meals are very homely which adds to the friendly environment, and the small dining table assists in the bonding with your new family. As a bonus, you can BYO wine or beer (or Jägermeister if that’s what floats your boat) so there aren’t additional costs associated with having to purchase their alcoholic beverages.

Why Stay at the Fernie Wilderness Lodge?

If you don’t need opulent lodgings and want to get away from civilization, FWA lodge is the place to stay. It’s a fraction of the price of one of the nearby cat skiing lodges, and FWA provides an authentic mountain get-away. In addition to this, the hosts are super friendly and they’ll make you feel very welcome.

Rates, Inclusions & Add-Ons

2023/24 Rates

 Package Early Season 
Prior to Jan 8
 Regular Season
Jan 9 - Mar 16
 Late Season
After March 16
 Per Seat Mixed Group  $600  $700  $600

Notes about prices:

  • Price per person
  • Lodging: $175/person/night + 13% tax
  • Prices & invoicing in Canadian dollars
  • Price does not include 5% GST
  • Please make a booking request for a quote for private snowcat skiing for your group
Inclusions
  • Full day of guided cat skiing (8-10 runs; 10-11 K feet)
  • Use of avalanche beacon
  • Lunch
Add-ons
  • Powder skis/snowboard rentals $45 + 5% tax per day
  • Transfers to lodge
  • Lodging ($175/night + 13% tax)
Not Included

Reservations & Cancellation Policy

Deposit & Final PaymentCat Skiing requires pre-booking and a minimum number of guests to run.

  • Cat skiing requires a $150.00 per person/per day NON-REFUNDABLE deposit at time of booking to confirm a reservation.
  • The balance is due 14 days prior to your arrival date at which time it becomes NON-REFUNDABLE.
  • If you book within 14 days, full payment is required and is NON-REFUNDABLE.
  • Fernie Wilderness Adventures reserves the right to cancel your reservation if full payment is not received 14 days prior to your ski day.

Anyone with food concerns or a medical condition we should be made aware of, should let us know prior to their arrival.

Safety Comes FirstFernie Wilderness Adventures is in the business of providing you a safe, fun and memorable wilderness experience! Please remember, we have no control over weather, however, we must plan our trips and tours according to what the conditions dictate. This may mean that your planned day may have a slight change to the schedule and/or area visited. These decisions are made by qualified and experienced personnel to ensure a quality and safe experience with the conditions available on that day.

Cancellation by FWAIf Fernie Wilderness Adventures staff cancels due to mechanical or safety reasons, you will be issued a rain check, which can be used at a later day, or given a credit, less the $100.00 per person/per day non-refundable deposit.

If You CancelGuest cancellations or “no shows” due to illness, injury, weather, travel delays, etc., will not receive a refund. It is highly recommended that you purchase travel/cancellation insurance prior to booking.