Steamboat Powdercats
Steamboat Powdercats: Colorado Cat Skiing
Steamboat Powdercats is the crème de la crème of Colorado snowcat skiing, and if you head out in the backcountry with Steamboat Powdercats, you’ll definitely look like a powder cat that’s got the cream!
So why is Steamboat Powdercats the ultimate cat skiing experience? Everything is first-class, from the snowcat to the food, the service, and most importantly the powder. The powder at the
Steamboat ski resort is renowned for being light, dry, and deep, yet with Steamboat Powdercats the powder is better because it’s even deeper. The average snowfall per season is over 500 inches (about 13 metres). This is the sort of powder that will get you salivating, or if you’re a real powder hound, you’ll be drooling!
Where is Steamboat Powdercats Located?
The Steamboat Powdercats’ office is conveniently located on-mountain at Steamboat ski resort in the Clock Tower Square.
The cat skiing terrain is located on Buffalo Pass which is north of the Steamboat Ski Area, across Fish Creek Canyon. The snowcats leave from the Dry Lake Campground which is a 25 minute drive from downtown Steamboat Springs. Included in the tour is transport between the staging area and your lodging.
Steamboat is located in Colorado, 156 miles (252km) northwest of Denver.
Cat Skiing and Cat Boarding Packages
Cat skiing with Steamboat Powdercats makes the perfect adjunct to a
Steamboat ski vacation. Take in some resort skiing and then head out for a day with Steamboat Powdercats. Or if you know you’ll be hooked on riding virgin powder, go cat skiing for as many days as you’re able!
A day tour with Steamboat Powdercats includes the guided cat skiing, use of powder skis or snowboard, use of safety equipment, a photo service, and breakfast, lunch, snacks, and apres drinks.
Snowcat Skiing Terrain
The cat skiing terrain is one of the largest in the USA at 10,000 acres (4,047 hectares). This is 3.4 times bigger than the Steamboat ski resort, and unlike the resort, you don’t have to share the powder with thousands of other skiers and boarders.
The elevation of the terrain is similar to the upper reaches of the ski resort. The terrain is all below the tree-line and has a variety of aspects, so even if it hasn’t snowed in a while, the guides can still find good quality powder.
A typical day incorporates 8 to 16 runs with approximately 8,000 to 14,000 feet of vertical skiing or boarding. Runs vary in length from 500 to 1,200 vertical feet.
Three Snowcats = Three Different Ability Levels
Steamboat Powdercats has a distinct advantage over many other cat skiing companies because there are three snowcats that cater to three different ability levels. This separation allows strong intermediates the comfort of knowing that they’re not holding up gun skiers and boarders. On the flip side, experts don’t need to worry that they’ll be twiddling their thumbs whilst waiting for less experienced powder riders.
Level 1 is a backcountry introductory tour for strong intermediate or advanced skiers/boarders who have limited powder experience. The terrain covered is mostly gentle open slopes with the occasional tree.
Level 2 is an advanced tour for riders who typically spend most of their time on black and double black runs. Guests must also be confident in powder and feel comfortable tree skiing at a reasonable pace.
Level 3 is for experts who have significant experience in the powder and are comfortable ripping the steeps, tight trees, and terrain that has fun features and rocky drop-offs. You don’t have to huck, but need to feel comfortable playing in this sort of terrain.
Steamboat Powdercats Season
The cat skiing season begins in mid December and extends through to early April. December and January typically provide cold temps that allow for some very yummy light powder snow conditions. The expert terrain typically opens by the 15th January, and prior to this time, only two snowcats run. February is probably the most popular month, and the powder continues to fall into March, although more spring-like conditions are apparent.
Why Cat Ski with Steamboat Powdercats?
Steamboat Powdercats has been in operation since 1983. Many years of experience has honed the development of quality guides, a comprehensive safety program, and a great tour for guests.
Another major pro is the convenient location so you can combine cat skiing and resort skiing at Steamboat. Knowing that you’ll be riding with others of a similar capability is also a huge plus. Best of all, Buffalo Pass is a big powder factory. It’s not nicknamed Fluffalo Pass for nothing!
See our Steamboat Powdercats review for more information.