Climb aboard.
Settle in with your group. Warm your hands, have a snack, and watch the forest go by. With twelve guests in the cat, there is time to get to know everyone.
Discover
Cat Skiing
Comfortable on black diamonds? A warm ride up, fresh tracks down, and a guiding team to show you the way could be your next great ski trip.
Your first trip
You may be closer than you think.
You do not need a ski-film résumé to love cat skiing. If black diamonds feel comfortable, you enjoy venturing into soft snow, and you can ski in control all day, let’s talk.
At Island Lake, the mountain comes with people who know it. Our experienced guides choose runs for your group’s ability, the snow and the weather, then help you navigate the lines all the way down. You bring your turns, your curiosity, and your favourite people.
Ask us if cat skiing is right for you
How it works
Your lift is a living room on tracks.
A snowcat is a tracked vehicle with a heated passenger cabin. It follows mountain roads uphill while your skis or board ride outside.
Follow your guides.
At the drop-off, hear the plan before you click in. Your guides explain the route, boundaries and regrouping points, helping you choose your way through the run.
Do it again.
Meet the cat at the pickup. Trade stories about that last turn, catch your breath, and head back up. The ride is part of the day, not time spent standing in a queue.
Choose your kind of ski day
Less bustle. More time together.
Compared with resort skiing
No lift lines. No public crowds. Just 36 winter guests sharing 5,000 skiable acres, with room to seek out untracked snow. Your guides handle the route-finding, so you can focus on the turns. This is natural, ungroomed terrain; fresh powder depends on the weather.
Compared with heli skiing
A quieter rhythm without helicopter rotor noise or repeated takeoffs and landings. The longer ride uphill gives you time to warm up and hang out with friends. No flight means no grounding simply because helicopters cannot fly in low cloud. Ground-based access also avoids helicopter flight risks, while experienced guides manage the backcountry risks that remain.
Snowcats still make engine noise. Severe weather and avalanche conditions can limit or stop skiing. Both cat skiing and heli skiing involve backcountry risks.
Guides who get to know you
The right run. Then the right line.
The best run is one your group can enjoy together.
Tell us how you ski before you arrive: where you usually go, the terrain you enjoy, and how much powder experience you have. On the mountain, your guides watch the group’s pace and confidence alongside the changing conditions.
They choose more than a bowl or a starting point. They explain where to turn, where to wait, and how to move through the next section. Ask questions, share how you are feeling, and follow their directions. There is no prize for pretending to be comfortable.
Terrain choices always depend on conditions. A particular slope, pitch or route cannot be promised in advance.
Explore the mountainOur snow safety program
Experience behind every decision.
A certified guide, tail guide and driver accompany each group. Daily hazard meetings, snow observations and ongoing training support their decisions; the team reassesses conditions throughout the day.
Before skiing, you practise with your radio and avalanche rescue equipment and learn about tree wells and group travel. Guides set the route and regrouping points. Follow instructions and ski with a partner.
Avalanches, tree wells and other mountain hazards remain even with professional guiding. Read our full safety program and ask us about anything you would like explained.
Meet our snow safety programA little preparation
Arrive ready to enjoy it.
Get a few snow days in.
Spend time making controlled turns in ungroomed snow before your trip. If powder is new to you, a lesson at your home mountain is a useful first step.
Build your ski-day stamina.
Aim to feel good through a full day, with enough energy to enjoy the next one. Your fitness and recovery matter as much as the steepest run you have skied.
Tell us what you need.
Boot fit, equipment, dietary needs, nervous first-timer questions: start the conversation early. We would much rather help you prepare than have you arrive unsure.
Before your first trip
A few things you might be wondering.
Am I good enough if I ski black diamonds comfortably?
That is a great starting point. You should also have some powder experience, make controlled turns in varied snow, and have the stamina for full days. Trail ratings vary between resorts, so tell our concierge where you ski and which runs you enjoy. We will help you assess the fit.
Do I need to be an expert or jump off cliffs?
No. A good day can be a series of flowing turns through bowls and glades. Your guides choose terrain with the group’s ability and the conditions in mind. Tell them what feels comfortable and speak up whenever you need help.
What if I have never skied deep powder?
Talk to us before booking. Cat skiing is guided backcountry skiing, not a beginner powder lesson. A few resort powder days or an off-piste lesson can help you build confidence before your first trip.
How do the guides help me find my way down?
They select the run, explain the line and where to regroup, and give instructions as the terrain changes. Follow their tracks or directions, stay within the agreed boundaries, and ask before taking another line. The tail guide supports the back of the group.
What if I get tired or feel out of my depth?
Tell your guide early. You can sit out a run in the snowcat, and the team can arrange a return to the lodge if needed. Taking a break is part of looking after yourself; you do not have to chase every lap.
Is cat skiing safer than heli skiing?
Travelling by snowcat avoids helicopter flight risks. It does not remove avalanche, tree-well, collision or other backcountry risks, and the vehicle alone cannot tell you which trip is safer overall. Terrain choices, conditions, guiding and guest behaviour all matter.
Can we ski when helicopters would be grounded?
Snowcats do not need helicopter flying visibility, so low cloud can still allow a ski day. Your guides may choose sheltered terrain when conditions permit. Severe weather, snow instability or unsafe road conditions can still restrict or stop operations; skiing is never guaranteed.
Will every run be untracked powder?
Fresh tracks are a big part of the appeal, but snowfall and conditions vary. Expect natural, ungroomed snow that can change through the day. Your guides look for suitable snow and terrain rather than promise a particular run or snow condition.
Can snowboarders come too?
Absolutely. Confident snowboarders with experience in powder and varied terrain are welcome. Tell the concierge about your riding and fitness, just as a skier would.
What equipment do I need?
Bring well-fitting boots, a helmet, goggles and layers. Powder skis or boards are included in guided packages; boots are not supplied. The team provides guest safety equipment and explains its use. Confirm your packing list and equipment needs with the concierge.
Can I come on my own or with friends of different abilities?
You can enquire on your own or with friends. Describe everyone’s experience when you book so we can discuss group fit and availability. Matching pace and confidence makes a better day for everyone.
Let’s talk about your first trip.
Tell our concierge where you ski, who you are bringing, and what you hope the day will feel like. We’ll help you work out the fit.
A conversation is the beginning
Who would you
bring here?
Tell us your dates, your group size, and what you have in mind.
Our concierge will help you plan the stay.