Valhalla Powdercats
Valhalla Powdercats Cat Skiing In Norse mythology, Valhalla is heaven for warriors who are favoured by the gods. Cat skiing with Valhalla Powdercats is unquestionably powderhound paradise as your prayers to the snow god Odin will definitely be heard. You won’t need to be a warrior though and fight others for fresh tracks. Valhalla is face shot heaven minus the elbows.
Where is Valhalla Cat Skiing Located? Valhalla is situated in an area that is renowned for huge snowfalls, the Powder Triangle. BC cat skiing is fantastic, but skiing in the Powder Triangle is particularly superb. The cat ski operation is located within its namesake, the Valhalla Mountains, in the middle of the Selkirk Mountains. The morning meeting spot for Valhalla Powdercats is in South Slocan which is 20 minutes from Nelson, not far from
Whitewater Ski Resort and
Red Mountain. A big old school bus is then used to transport the group to the snowcat staging area about 45 minutes away.
The closest domestic airport is Castlegar (unaffectionately known as Cancelgar), and the closest international airport is Spokane in Washington (3.5 hours away).
Cat Ski Packages Valhalla Powdercats offer a range of packages including single day trips, multi-day trips, or the week long Kootenay Sampler. This amazing package includes accommodation, cat skiing, a day at the Ainsworth Hot Springs, skiing at
Red Mountain, and heli-skiing with Snowwater.
For a single day of cat skiing, the cost is $460 in high season and $380 in shoulder season (2009-10 rates). The package includes the guided cat skiing, a gourmet lunch, snacks, drinks, and use of an avalanche beacon. Valhalla also offers standby rates that are very inexpensive.
With the exception of the Kootenay Sampler, accommodation is not included as part of the package.
Nelson accommodation is reasonably inexpensive and there are various
Nelson hotel options as well as backpackers and bed and breakfasts.
Snow and Terrain A highlight of cat skiing with Valhalla Powdercats is the quality and quantity of the snow. The area is not called the Powder Triangle for nothing! Kootenay powder is light and dry, and the snow falls in abundance with over 450 inches of snow each season. And with 21,500 acres (8,700 hectares) of terrain to choose from and only a maximum of 24 guests, the guides will have no problems finding snow without any powderhound paw marks!
The Valhalla terrain is also a major drawcard. They have steep old-growth forests as well as lots of terrain above the tree-line in alpine bowls and couloirs. The reputation of the terrain at Valhalla is well known amongst strong skiers and boarders. Valhalla Powdercats is not cat skiing for wimps!
Each run covers 1,800 feet (549 metres) of vertical on average, with reasonably good fall line riding, making it attractive for snowboarders as well as skiers. Depending upon conditions and the group’s ability, they cover 7 to 13 runs per day.
More Reasons to Cat Ski with Valhalla The powder is idyllic and the wicked terrain will keep experienced skiers and boarders very happy. The flexibility of packages is also a major bonus with the opportunity to combine cat skiing, heli-skiing and resort skiing in the Powder Triangle – a hat trick for powderhounds!
See our
Valhalla cat skiing review for more reasons to gather together with your fellow powderhounds for a great pow wow in the Valhallas.
Bookings & Information Requests
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