Testimonials
BLISS and MAGIC and AC/DC - DECEMBER 27, 2019
Hey Folks:
I wanted to take a moment to thank you (again) for such a stellar skiing experience. I gave myself a Christmas 2019 cat skiing trip (opening day for cat operations with Great Northern). I began to worry that 2019 was the wrong year to pick, as the 2019 early season Revelstoke base was good, but not yet great. I asked the folks at RMR if they thought Great Northern would be able to find any snow. “Don’t worry ‘eh, if you pay to cat ski with Great Northern, I’m sure they’re gonna find you legendary powder” was the reply.
Well…that was prescient. I’ve had some truly amazing days skiing (grew up skiing in Colorado, live in the PNW, and spent a day skiing with a guide in the Swiss Alps in waist deep powder a few years — during an epic winter). I can unequivocally say that in my 40+ years of skiing, with Great Northern I had my BEST. DAY. EVER.
Everything about the trip was phenomenal from booking to transport to safety instruction for the group. The amazing snow experience was amplified 100-fold by our guides. Brandon and Jasper are top shelf. Their love for this sport, the collegial atmosphere, and their joy in sharing this opportunity with clients is infectious. Our group pulled off the skiing equivalent of seeing AC/DC. Live. In 1979.
Now I’m torn. Dare I do this again and risk a performance that can never be repeated, or can Brandon and Jasper pull another rabbit out of a hat. Since I probably don’t have another 40 years of skiing in me, I guess I’ll have to find out in February 2020.
Thanks for a memorable day,
C
Thank You,
I booked our trip in October when I found out from my doctors that at the end of January 2018 I would need a third heart surgery and not be able to ski again.
Being from Connecticut, and skiing for the last 40 years , the East, Utah, Colorado,and California, I wanted to find a place with good snow, no crowds and that one last ski experience to remember.
I knew nothing about Great Northern other then the web. So I called Billie-Lou on your site and she explained the whole experience down to what airports to go to and roads and driving times, 30 seconds later I had my best friend convinced and surprised my two boys Will 23, and Ted 19, on Christmas with the trip.
On January 9th we arrive to this wonderful lodge above Trout Lake ,BC and everyone is super friendly and makes you feel like home. Marie who runs the lodge shows us around and is the nicest host you could ask for.
We sat down to a four course gourmet dinner prepared by the fantastic Jack, and had a conversation with two of the owners , Stephen and Peter , who happened to be there and were skiing with us the next day.
Having my own family business I feel I’m a good judge of character and talking to Peter and Stephen I realized what great owners they are ,and what a great respect for the past cat operation they have, and the vision for GN in the future.
The previous summers renovations right down to the unbelievable water pressure and hot water of the showers were explained in detail, to meet an owner who knows and cares about those things is a reflection of where GN stands in customer care and it sure is refreshing.
Oh, then there’s the skiing!
I’ve never skied knee deep powder and was nervous, but with lead guides Jamie and Yaro and rear guide Bert I was immediately at ease, went thru some basic training and hit the cat.
Is this resort spectacular?
If it makes a person forget about a major heart surgery, a business to run and all semblance’s of worry, then yes , THIS PLACE IS SPECTACULAR!!!!
We had 3 days and 4 nights of the best skiing I’ve experienced in 40 years, the best food and the best company.
So I’m sad that my skiing days are over, but as I think back on my last days of skiing, and the joy I experienced with my boys and new friends at Great Northern , I get a smile on my face and grace in my heart that I was lucky enough to make it to this wonderful place called Great Northern Snowcat Skiing.
Thank you all, you are good, kind people, and you make dreams come true.
All the best: Francis “Champ” Perotti, January 2018
Outstanding snowcat operation!
We spent three wonderful days powder skiing with friends at this operation, which is based in a very rural area of the Selkirk Mountains. It is about a 1 3/4 hour drive from Revelstoke; this includes a ferry across a lake which takes about 20 minutes (ferries leave on the hour from the Revelstoke side and on the half hour from the other side). The lodge is at relatively low elevation (<1000 meters) while most of the skiing is done between 1700-2100 m. The food is excellent and plentiful including a hearty breakfast, snacks and lunch during the day while skiing, more snacks (including many raw vegetables and protein) after skiing, and a fine 4 course dinner at 6:30 pm each day. The lodge has a large, challenging pool table, a ping pong table, and darts. There is a variety of terrain for skiing and snowboarding. On average, the runs are manageable even for advanced intermediate skiers. Overall highly recommended!
David & Cyrus, January 2018
Brent is irreplaceable:
However – the existing team of competent individuals is a perfect example of Brent’s example. They have always exceeded our expectations and the new motto seems to be “Exceed the Exceptional".
The guiding hands on the mountain, including ‘Cat Man” Walker, are safety conscious, condition savvy, terrain smart and fun.
The Lodge crew know service ethic principles as life skills – they continue to be attentive, considerate, warm and welcoming. The food is excellent.
This continues to be the kind of place you can bring your kids, your grandkids, and your friends with the quiet assurance that once they arrive everything is in place for an unforgettable ski experience.
With Deep Gratitude, the Gehrke Crew, January 2017
“Great Northern = Great snow, Great terrain, Great food, Great ski week”
Just returned from another wonderful week at GN. The new owners expressed a strong desire to preserve the magic Brent has created and maintained over the last 30 years. He took what mother nature created here and turned it into a sustainable business that has kept many of us returning year-after-year. Thanks Brent!
As always, you can expect phenomenal light powder, great terrain, safety conscious guides and great food. Fortunately, the new management team from Norquay knows Brent, has skied GN and is interested in making the experience better, not different.
Our guides Patrick and Eliel did a great job picking runs, back at the lodge Lucie made us feel perfectly at home while Janine kept us more than well-fed. Thanks to all the fine, dedicated staff and the new management team for another great ski week at GN!
-Gregory W, January 2017
"Thanks guys for a wonderful ski holiday. I appreciate your taking great care of us and keeping us safe. The food & service was awesome and I look forward to coming back ASAP."
- Jonathan Kraus, February 2016
"Amazing experience. Great lodge, food, staff, and guides. Thank you Brent."
- Rick Gould, February 2016
"Thanks for an amazing trip! We loved every aspect of this adventure!! Great work by the staff. Many thanks!!"
- John & Rebecca, February 2016
"Once again a great experience. Now the 7th visit to GN and a 21 year history. Hope to be back again soon! Thank you Brent and the team."
Bernt Andersson, February 2016
"Dear Brent and Team, We could not imagine a better time than our 3 days spent with you. Every moment, we felt so very cared for. Beautiful food, a soft down comforter, many turns on silky deep snow, landscapes that took our breath away. The ski days were spectacular, the guiding was sensitive to our needs and we loved it all. Our sincere thanks to each and every one of you for a wonderful time."
- Sandy & Don, January 2016
"Thanks again for another great week at GREAT NORTHERN. Company, friends, house, turns, food, all the best as usual. 24th year in a row and it always exceeds my expectations. Lots of love and wishing lots of snow."
- Mike Burton, January 2016
"What a fabulous 6 days of Great Northern Powder. It's a great way to end 2015 and begin 2016!! Can't beat it. Thank you to all of the staff, you are all a delight!!"
- Annie Moore, January 1, 2016
""Well, how do you describe perfect? Great team, great companionship, great skiing, great experience in every way. This cannot be replicated. Deep thanks to all."
- Hugh & Ren, New Years week 2015-2016
"The way everyone worked as a team was excellent to watch. The food was 10/10! Thank you for providing a great experience."
- Tyler Martineau, January 2015
"Thank you for the first, second and third best ski days I've ever had"
- Kyle, January 2015
"Thank you so much for such a great time here in the mountains. We couldn't have asked for a more enjoyable and homey experience. You all made us feel so at home and the skiing was amazing. You have some beautiful terrain here and we're so glad we got to experience it. Hope to be back soon!!"
- the people of Evans Hunt (Rob, Jim, Kyle, Kara, Ian, Britny), January 2015
"Even though it was only a few days, it reminded me why I always love coming here. Along with great snow, and great skiing (always), the friendliness of the staff and the great food every day makes it a good atmosphere for relaxing and building friendships. Thank you so much for a great time. Dan, Chris and Pat, thanks for keeping me safe and picking me up out of the snow. Chema and Alina, for being my partner, Catherine and Lucie for great hospitality, and Brent for being Brent..... Love you all."
- Gary Rowles, February 2015
"Thank you GNSS for the wonderful experience. We found the entire staff to be friendly, welcoming, energetic and interesting to converse with. This was our first snowcat experience and it is one we will never forget. We hope to be back again soon."
- Steven & Wendell Samoil, February 2015
"Another fantastic week of the world’s best powder. From the welcoming first moments we stepped into the lodge we were greeted and kindly cared for by such capable hands. Thank you Peter for another fine week of great cuisine. I love your soups. Also for the skilled and knowledgeable guides, Brent, Dan and Chris. You ALL ROCK!!"
– Anne Moore, January 2014
"We rate the staff a “BO” 10. Thank you all for your smiles and taking care of our every need. The Great Northern “experience” is hard to articulate. Just know that you all are the reason we keep coming back every two years since 1998."
– Greg Hamilton, January 2014
Brent and Staff
"Thank you very much for a wonderful 3 days and lifetime of memories. VERY SPECIAL!! What attention to detail and while making it all feel very casual. Very “Canadian” experience for us boys!"
– Jim, Jack, Larry, Trevor, & Don, January 2014
To all the Great Northern Staff,
"Thanks for the wonderful time. The friendly faces, fresh tracks and delicious meals will make for great memories to carry me through the rest of the Toronto winter (and humid summers too). Hope to be back soon."
– Shane G., February 2014
Dear Billie Lou,
I just got back from my trip to GN and I wanted to report what a fabulous crew you have at the Lodge. Everyone was working their tails off to make our experience the best, and it was. I know they are shorthanded but that did not get in the way of delivering great service and a kind and caring touch. Peter and Eva did an excellent job of putting out fine meals every day along with the care we got in the lodge. Brent, Chris and Valerie were challenged with extremely varied conditions but still found some great snow for us to trounce in. There was just sooooo much snow. Wow. You can be proud of all of them. Hang in there all of you and thank you so much for making my vacation so FUN.
– Annie Moore, February 2014