Cat Skiing in Whistler

ADDITIONAL DETAILS ABOUT CAT SKIING IN Whistler

The mountain itself boasts more than 7,000 vertical feet or 4,300 acres of ski runs that permit cat skiers between six to nine runs per day. The cost for a single day of cat skiing at Whistler’s Powder Mountain averages around $600 per person and does not include any resort fees or GST skiers may be expected to cover. The resort does not charge more for extra runs, however.

To qualify for a day of cat skiing here, parties need to consist of no more than 11 people. The snowcat cabins can seat up to 12 skiers along with a photographer and guides for each run. Each cat skiing party is assigned two experienced, certified guides. Each skier is also provided with a trans-receiver from the resort for safety’s sake.

Cat skiers are also required to sign a waiver before they are allowed to board the snowcats and head to the backcountry runs. They also are given brief safety instructions designed to keep them safe during their excursions.

For safety and to help skiers avoid crowds, only 24 cat skiers are permitted to take to the backcountry runs at a single time. Skiers should always anticipate encountering fresh powder snow rather than hard found on other ski runs at the resort. Fans of this extreme winter sport also can enjoy the fact that the snowcats are designed to run in the heaviest of snow conditions. They are not grounded like the helicopters used for heliskiing by the resort.

Whistler is served by the Vancouver International Airport where tourists can arrive and depart on flights on major airliners. VIA is located 140 miles south of Whistler. Tourists who charter private flights to this ski resort town can fly into Pemberton Regional Airport that serves smaller commercial and private aircraft. Pemberton is located 38 minutes to the north of Whistler.