STEEP TREES AND DEEP POW
Spend 3 days cat skiing at a private backcountry lodge with warm up days riding at Whitewater resort included. The mountains here are famous for ‘Kootenay Coldsmoke’ powder and are the perfect playground for riders who like steep trees, fun features, and good times ripping it up in the backcountry.
This is a small-group tour with a maximum of 10 guests. Mint has exclusive use of White Grizzly snowcat and lodge for 3 days and 3 nights. You’ll appreciate the authentic and laid-back vibe that can only come from a small group trip.
Arrive at Spokane Airport where your guides will meet you and drive to the famous ski town of Nelson, BC. Here you’ll spend the first few days riding at Whitewater Resort. While staying in Nelson, all guiding, private transport, accommodation and lift tickets are included.
Then you’ll head off-the-beaten track for 3 days cat skiing at White Grizzly, a remote cat ski operation and backcountry lodge. Your private mountain playground is right in the middle of one of North America’s most consistent snow belts. The zone faces northeast, keeping it largely protected from the sun and wind and is well-supported for riding in nearly all conditions. There’s expertly gladed tree corridors as well as pillow lines and open spaces. Think black diamond runs at your favorite resort but with fresh pow. You can expect to do between six and nine runs each day.
After your third and final day cat skiing, your guides will drive you back to Nelson for the final night of the tour. Head out for dinner and drinks with the crew to commemorate the trip. The following morning you’ll check out of your hotel in Nelson and your guides will drive you back to Spokane Airport where the tour concludes.
Dates
9 - 15 March, 2025
Ability
Advanced - You must be confident riding all types of terrain in deep snow, especially steep trees.
Price
USD $4,990 per person
DURATION
7 days / 6 nights, Sunday to Saturday
WHY TRAVEL WITH MINT
It’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. Mint Tours is a registered travel agent and a member of AFTA and IATA and conduct business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct.
Kootenay Cat Ski Tour
Get in touch for an itinerary and more info
THE CAT SKI TERRAIN
The terrain you'll ride is predominantly at the treeline and below. There's expertly gladed tree corridors as well as pillow lines and open spaces. Think black diamond runs at your favourite resort but with fresh pow.
TYPICAL CAT SKI DAY
Breakfast is at 7:15am and you will be on the road heading to the staging area at 8am. It is a 20 minute drive from the lodge to where we jump in the cat. You can expect to do between six and nine runs each day. This equates to 5,000 vertical metres or 16,500 feet. The last run is usually around 3pm and you will be back at the lodge around 4:30 pm for aprés. Dinner is served at 7:30pm. How you spend the rest of your time is up to you!
SNOW & CONDITIONS
Located in the middle of one of North America’s most consistent snow belts, the mountains here are famous for Kootenay Coldsmoke. It can snow at any point in the winter season. It gets an average of 11-15m (that’s 36-50 ft) of snow each season. The zone faces northeast, keeping it largely protected from the sun and wind and is well-supported for riding in nearly all conditions.
WHERE YOU'LL STAY
You'll spend 3 nights and 3 days at White Grizzly Lodge. It's a slice of rustic luxury, deep in the Selkirk Mountains. Your stay is all-inclusive and covers cat skiing, guiding, comfortable accommodation in shared rooms, chef-prepared meals, snacks and après. In Nelson you'll stay lakefront in a 3-star hotel.
ABOUT WHITEWATER
This mountain gets rave reviews around the world for it’s terrain and snow. With the highest lift topping out at 2045 metres and consistent storms cycles slamming into BC from the Pacific it’s no surprise that this place scores over 12 metres of blower pow each season. It’s common to get deep turns throughout the season and for this reason we keep coming back to Whitewater.
PRE-TOUR SUPPORT
After you sign up for a tour, you will receive pre-trip emails with specific information about your tour, the arrival and departure day process, information about the destination, packing suggestions, and other relevant information to help you prepare for your trip. In addition to this, you have access to our customer care team who are just a phone-call away. And as a full-service travel agent, we are able to take care of pre or post tour arrangements.
ESSENTIAL INFO
INCLUSIONS
✔ 3 days of back-country shredding at White Grizzly Cat Ski
✔ 2 guided days at Whitewater
✔ 2 day lift ticket, Whitewater
✔ 3 nights twin/triple share accommodation at White Grizzly Lodge
✔ Chef-prepared meals at White Grizzly Lodge (breakfast, lunch, snacks, après & dinner)
✔ 3 nights twin share accommodation in Nelson
✔ Private transfers from Nelson to White Grizzly Lodge
✔ Spokane Airport Transfers on arrival and departure day
✔ Private transfers from Nelson to Whitewater Resort
✔ Mint guides on hand throughout tour
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
✘ Flights to/from Spokane
✘ Travel insurance
✘ Meals in Nelson
✘ Any activities, meals, drinks, snacks not listed
✘ Guide gratuities
DATES
9 March – 15 March, 2025
PRICE
USD $4,990 per person (twin/triple share room)
MINIMUM ABILITY REQUIREMENTS
The terrain requires advanced to expert level powder skills in tight trees and variable natural snow conditions. Many runs feature technical entrances, with features such as pillows, drops and chutes. If you’re not sure, give us a call.
Guests will be riding up to 5,000 vertical metres or 16,500 feet per day and need to be in good physical condition. Consider a conditioning program to prepare for your trip. If you are unable to keep up with the group you may be asked to sit out and will not be reimbursed for any missed time in the cat. Weather and ski conditions are impossible to predict so guests must be prepared to ride or ski anything. If you have never ridden in powder or shy away from it at your local resort, this is not the place to learn. There are lots of glades and trees – please be prepared to ride and ski in the trees.
If you’re not quite up to the ability level for this tour, don’t dismiss the possibility of experiencing the best powder turns of your life! Talk with our team and they will be able to make recommendations for other suitable tours, or how to work towards joining this tour.
When you are ready to book, we’ll ask you to self-evaluate what type of rider/skier you are. This will help us book you on the right tour. The more accurately you’re able to self-assess your on-snow abilities, the more you (and others in your group) will be able to enjoy your tour.
WHY TRAVEL WITH MINT?
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. Mint is a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conducts business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE DO I NEED TO BOOK?
It’s hard to estimate when the tour will fill up. That being said, this is a bucket list trip that typically books out by mid year, so our advice is to book as soon as you’ve made the decision to travel. That way you can secure your preferred travel dates and you won’t be disappointed. Bookings close 90 days before a trip departs, however most tours typically fill up well before this.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
All your snowboarding/skiing equipment along with all your regular outerwear. Helmets are mandatory. Regular clothes for lodge chilling. White Grizzly will provide you with backpacks with all the safety equipment you need. You can choose to use either regular packs or avalanche airbags.
HOW MUCH SNOW DOES WHITE GRIZZLY GET?
An average between 1000-1500cm (390-590”) of snowfall per season. The snowpack usually maxes out between 250-350cm (98-140”).
WHAT ELEVATION IS WHITE GRIZZLY AT?
The accommodation is located in Meadow Creek at 550m above sea level and the cat skiing is from 2100m down to 1400m.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?
Temperatures range from 0C to -25C (32F to -13F) but usually it hovers somewhere in between. It snows a lot. Seeing rain in the valley forecast? Odds are it will be snowing on the mountain. 90% of winter days have some sort of cloud cover.
WHAT IS THE TERRAIN LIKE?
The cat skiing predominantly operates at the treeline and below. There is expertly gladed tree corridors as well as pillow lines and open spaces. Think black diamond runs at your favourite ski resort but with fresh pow.
WHAT HAPPENS ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DAY?
Once you’ve signed up for the tour we will send you through a comprehensive guide with details about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, Visa requirements and transportation information.
WHAT IF I’M TRAVELLING SOLO?
About 99% of our guests are travelling solo, so you’ll be in good company. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snow sports and an eagerness to explore all that Canada has to offer. The accommodation for this tour is twin or triple share.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ON THIS TOUR?
There’s just 10 spots up for grabs on this tour. We’ve secured a private cat just for the use of our group, so expect good times with a like minded group.
WHICH RESORTS WILL WE VISIT?
This is a set itinerary that includes in-bounds guiding at Whitewater along with cat skiing in the backcountry at White Grizzly.
CAN I ARRIVE EARLY OR STAY ON AFTER THE TOUR?
For most tours you can arrive earlier or stay later. We can tailor the trip to suit your travel plans. Speak with one of our tour specialists when you are booking and they will be more than happy to assist.
WHO ARE THE GUIDES?
All tours are guided by friendly, knowledgeable and expertly trained guides who are passionate about the mountains. All guides are highly qualified and certified to industry standards.
ARE FLIGHTS INCLUDED?
No, flights are not included. If you need assistance booking flights, we can recommend the best flight options for the tour.
WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY
All guests are bound by White Grizzly terms and conditions. Bookings are non-refundable. We strongly suggest purchasing cancellation insurance – We recommend Acera Travel Insurance & Uniglobe Travel Insurance who have an understanding of the mechanized skiing industry.
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I’VE BOOKED?
Once you’ve booked your spot on tour, we will send you through a booking confirmation and provide updates about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, Visa requirements and transportation information. We will send out a Pre Departure Guide 30 days prior to departure.
CAN I BRING MY PARTNER WHO DOESN’T SKI OR SNOWBOARD?
This tour is not recommended for non-ski or snowboard partners.
HOW DO I CHECK MY ABILITY LEVEL?
The best way to check if a tour is suited to your ability is by speaking with one of our tour specialists. They will be able to determine if the tour you have selected is a good fit for your ability, as well as suggesting other tour options.
HOW DO I GET TO NELSON?
We’ll provide you with airport meet and greet times for Spokane Airport (USA) and recommended departure times. If it’s your fist time to Canada or if you’re unsure about travel arrangements, often we can link you up with other tour guests to travel with.
FITNESS
Whether you’re a snowboarding veteran or have just booked your first tour, the best thing you can do to get the most out of your Mint experience is to start a pre-trip fitness regime. We’re not looking for you to be an Olympic athlete, but you do need some fitness endurance. You’ll spend five, full and consecutive days on-snow, so you should be physically fit enough to comfortably ski/ride for five consecutive days. Your muscles should be up to this task, and your cardio fitness means you can sustain a consistent pace.
ARE LIFT TICKETS INCLUDED?
Yes, all lift tickets are included for this tour.
HOW TO BOOK
To reserve your spot, email info@minttours.com with your preferred dates and one of our travel managers will send you a quote, availability and further information for the tour.
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS
To confirm your reservation we require a non-refundable 50% deposit. Reservations will not be held until payment is received. The balance is due on or before September 1st, 2024.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Guests are bound by White Grizzly terms and conditions and can be viewed HERE. Mint Tours terms and conditions HERE