Endless Adventure

Snowcats

The ride up the mountain is part of the Great Northern experience.

We have added two new snowcats to its fleet: a Pisten Bully 600 and a Pisten Bully 400 Edge, joining our two reliable Pisten Bully 300s, Delta and Beta—the Ferraris of snowcats. We operate two heated snowcats with comfortable seats.

Our snowcats can ascend Great Northern and Thompson mountains, even in heavy snowfall, ensuring epic days on the slopes.

The 15 to 20-minute snowcat rides between runs are the perfect amount of time to share powder stories, warm up, and enjoy a homemade snack. We'll take care of loading your gear at the bottom of each run and unloading it at the top of the next one. All you need to focus on is making your turns.

Our snowcat operators make sure their cats operate safely, and each morning undergo a thorough inspection.

Skiing Terrain

Ditch the lifts and try two whole mountains to yourselves! And did we mention that we get over 15 meters (50 feet) of snow most years?

Great Northern occupies a 75 square-kilometer (7,500 hectares) area of snow-covered forest in the Bad Shot Range. The variety of terrain is the best part about skiing here. With forest glades, wide-open powder bowls, gullies, and chutes, we can cater to skiers of intermediate to expert level.

Since 1979, we’ve skied every ridge and gully to find the best snow in all types of conditions. Great Northern Mountain features rolling alpine meadows at the top, which lead down into steep, perfectly spaced glades. The runs on Mount Thompson are wide open and north-facing, making them ideal later in the season as they remain out of the sun.

Every run has a funny story behind its name, often involving a guest or a guide. Just ask about Billy Whiskers, Grandma’s Panties, or Obscene Knob — a few of our all-time favorites. Do something hilarious, and we might just name one after you!

Ride the Cat. Conquer the Mountain.

From steep chutes to endless glades, our pristine backcountry playground is waiting.

A Typical Day at Great Northern Cat Skiing

Deep snow. Nourishing meals. Ping Pong.

Arrival Day

When you arrive at 5 PM and park your vehicle, our staff will warmly welcome you and give you a tour of our lodge. After you settle in and connect with fellow guests, get ready to enjoy a delightful dinner served at 6:30 PM. Feel free to socialize and share stories with others, or retreat to your room for a peaceful night's rest. An unforgettable adventure awaits you in the morning, and we can't wait for you to experience it!

Morning

Your first day of skiing includes avalanche safety training. The next skiing days start at 7:00 am with a friendly wake-up knock on your door and a cheerful, “Good morning!” Follow the enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked pastries to the dining room for a hearty breakfast. The snowcat will arrive pre-loaded with your ski gear at 8:00 am and shortly after begins the climb to the alpine. Your warm-up run will start from Bo Ridge or Echo Point, both perfect spots for capturing stunning sunrise photos. From there, the snowcat will head in the direction of the best snow.

Day

After plowing your way down a run like Billy Whiskers or weaving through powder-dusted trees along Mountain Goat Creek it’s time for a quick lunch slope side. Your afternoon might start with a wide-open cruiser off the saddle that rolls and dips down the fall line towards Mowhawk gully. Then float down the Bucking Chutes that funnel into the Gold Finger glades. We’ll find you the best snow during your stay.

Apre Ski

After you ski the home run back to the Great Northern Lodge, beating your friends who took the snowcat to the après-ski spread with a cold drink in hand or to a hot tub, it’s time to swap wipeout and powder stories in front of the fireplace.

Evening

At 6:30 p.m., the dinner bell will call you to the table for a feast. After dinner, you can choose to watch a movie, read a book, enjoy drinks, sleep, or play eight-ball in any order you like. Some guests prefer to socialize late into the night, while others like to tuck in early.

Departure Day

You will check out of your room after breakfast and before heading to the mountain. After skiing on your last day with us, our friendly staff will give you a warm send-off goodbye until next time!

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