Cat Skiing in Washington

ADDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT CAT SKIING IN WASHINGTON

Before they head out to the backcountry, skiers are paired with experienced guides and given extensive instruction in avalanche and backcountry safety. The guides are equipped to handle parties of no more than 12 cat skiers at a single time.

Once they are given their instruction, cat skiers are then taken by snowcat to the summit of the terrain where they can ski through untracked bowls, glades, chutes, and gullies. They do not have to wait in lines, ride on cold lifts, or deal with crowds. Instead, they can enjoy one of the ultimate cat skiing adventures in the country.

Guides are also trained to work with cat skiers of all skill levels. Intermediate level cat skiers are taken to terrain that has natural openings and glades that range from 15 to 25 degrees. There are long, smooth, clear cuts for bouncy powder turns and gentle pitch classic powder runs like those found in Tranquility Bowl.

Advanced cat skiers can try their hand at terrain that features big open bowls, well-spaced glade runs, and moderately steep 30 to 35-degree thinned trees. The expert cat skiing terrain has very steep treed and open bowls, challenging pillow lines, short chutes with good runout zones, small cliffs, and cornice drops.

All cat skiers have their own yurts in which to relax after a day in the backcountry. The yurts have private kitchen and dining areas as well as fireplaces. Getting to Stevens Pass can be done by taking U.S. Highway 2 eastbound out of Seattle. Skiers should turn eight miles past Skykomish to reach the cat skiing area in the Cascade Mountains.

Tourists flying in from other parts of the U.S. or internationally can take flights directly into Seattle International Airport where they can rent a car to take to Stevens Pass. Drivers are advised to check weather and driving reports for snowfall and avalanche warnings or road closures.