This was our second visit and we still think that Selkirk Wilderness Skiing provides the finest overall cat skiing experience. It has an outstanding mix of terrain, superb snow, and experienced guides, and staying at the lodge is just delightful.

In chatting to cat skiers at a few other BC cat skiing outfits, it appears that SWS has an unwarranted reputation for a few things, which is why these cat skiers have never visited SWS. It’s great that these naïve folks are not enlightened because it means that the rest of us have a better chance of booking into a precious calendar opening!

Firstly the terrain has a rep for being for “girls” ie a bit soft. Considering this is a safe cat skiing operation, I won’t get into the dangerous debate of whether chicks can ski or not! More importantly the terrain is definitely not tame nor lame, and it could easily put the best to shame (Seth Morrison being one example!). Sure it has some mellow slopes, but there are plenty of steeps and tasty features for air-time, as well as a variety of terrain for experts.

SWS also has a reputation for being luxurious. This is partially true. The service is 5 star. There’s nearly one staff member to each guest, and they seem to think of everything. The food is also outstanding. The accommodations (ie the bedrooms) are not that super deluxe and the lodge doesn’t attract folks who want to be pampered. If you’re looking for that, go to Island Lake cat skiing.

Some people also think SWS is just for old timers. Sure there are some older folk, but rest assured they’ll tell better jokes than you and rip your legs off! What’s impressive about Selkirk Wilderness is that it attracts a mix of ages that includes youngsters, the young at heart who pretend to be youngsters (that’s me!), middle aged dudes, and retirees, and everyone gets along famously. The culture is beautiful and the feeling of family is what makes this place unique and special.

As an all-rounder, this cat skiing business is exceptional. See our Selkirk Wilderness Skiing review for more information about why we think this cat skiing is so good.
See our video here

Wow!! I've skied all over the Rockies for more than 35 years and the five days I skied at Selkirk were by far the best. The lodge, terrain and snow redefined my thoughts about epic skiing. From my first online contact with the folks at Selkirk to the final trip down to Meadow Creek on the last day, my experience was nothing but fantastic.

SWS provided excellent communication prior my visit. There were no surprises and everything was clearly explained. The lodge is wonderful and it didn't take long for it to feel like home. The staff were friendly, helpful and truely created a family atmosphere. The food was five star and there was plenty to eat.

Monday morning started with a yoga class and was followed by breakfast. Then the ski guides carefully and thoughtfully instucted us on a variety of safty procedures, including the proper use of the avalanche beacon, two way radio, avalanche probe and correctly using a shovel. In addition to the beacon and radio, every skier is given a backpack with a probe and shovel. Each skier had to practice avalanche procedures with a hidden beacon.

Now the fun begins! Selkirk uses two cats that are comfortable and don't make you feel like a sardine. The guides are experienced and in no time at all you feel like friends. The mountains had recieved no snow for a couple days and it was sunny. But the guides found plenty of soft snow on the north facing slopes and in the trees. The conditions weren't perfect Monday and Tuesday, but by most standards it was outstanding. Then the clouds came in and it began to snow, a lot. Face shots, white room, pow skiing,,,whatever you want to call it, it was incredible. After the first day of skiing, the other skiers in the cat felt like long time friends. After several days of deep powder skiing, we were exchanging addresses and planning our next trip. Even the guides, who ski all the time, were having a blast.

The terrain surrounding the lodge is huge, diverse and the mountains are incredibly beautiful. Selkirk provides skiing off open bowls on high peaks along with tree and chute skiing. Putting endless turns together, in an open bowl, in deep snow was great. Follow that with endless turns through the trees and you have a magical run. Every run gives you a variety. The guides were careful and attentive and made my experience something I'll always remember. Along with the staff and guides, it was a pleasure to meet so many other like minded skiers from around the world. I had a lot of fun and I'm scheduled again for next year.
See our video here

I hadn't done any research, I was asked by friends to join them at SWS. I have done other cat skiing and heli skiing that was fabulous, but this was an amazing week! The terrain is what really wowed me. Every run had a wide open bowl at the top, which is my version of heaven; then dropped into nicely gladed trees, which had even deeper snow. Does it get better than that?

The lodge had a very friendly atmosphere along with everything you need after a day of skiing. The people who worked there, from the guides to the kitchen staff, were excellent at their jobs and genuinely happy that I was spending the week with them! Since everyone who was there had the same passion for powder, it was easy to make new friends.

The pace of cat skiing is more relaxing than heli and we got plenty of runs in every day. The hot tea with cookies in the cat was an added touch of class!

I've booked for next year and hope that there's room for all the friends who heard me rave about SWS!
See our video here

I first read about SWS on the Powderhounds.com website and decided to go there based on the recommendation.

While there we skied with Greg and Lyndell from Powderhounds and they asked me to post a review. My initial thoughts were why would I, it is hard enough to get a spot, there is no need to make it harder! Rereading the reviews already here I figure the raving has already started so I may as well add my 2 cents worth.

We arrived in a snow drought, not having snowed for 10 days prior to arrival. We were nervous about how skiable the terrain would be after skiing at Valhalla snow cats 2 days prior after a wind event and it was scratchy to say the least. Our guide Kevin worked very hard to find us good fresh lines each run and the skiing was good considering the conditions. Then the drought broke and we had had the full noise SWS experience, and it is the powder experience we have been looking for.

Excellent terrain with open bowls and tree skiing that is the equal of any I have skied anywhere. I am no longer looking for the best place to ski, I have booked for next year.

The people here are excellent hosts, the lodge is a proper ski lodge, the food is excellent.

Just do it
See our video here

This place is great. The skiing is amazing. Good steeps, and always plenty of deeps.
See our video here

 

 I asked a worldly friend, "where would you pick as the one place you must go for a lodge based cat ski".
His answer without hesitation was SWS.

I booked the next week, after a year of patient waiting the trip is completed. These are my personal observations.

I am not including lots of vivid details, these should be discovered by guests, it was SO GOOD to get pleasantly surprised in every way despite expectations and research as a 'rookie' on this SWS trip.

In summary:

Every aspect of the guest experience is completely 'dialed in' to enable you to have the skiing or riding trip of a lifetime.

The conditions, and the terrain are 'All Time' for pros or joes. But the overall experience ensures that even the best sliding moments of ones life will become just a part of the week long journey.

Superlatives cannot describe the week. But i'll attempt to be helpful with some questions. Do you want to take skiing and riding to a new level, Do you want to establish a new 'All Time' line, or moment on skis or your board, Do you want to have the best time, every day, on some of the best terrain and conditions you will face in north america. Do you want to meet some of the coolest people, staff and guests, you will come upon in your lifetime. If one or more of these are so, just go.

I have structured my life and travels around skiing and riding, this is one of those trips that will stick with you.
Its not a surprise after the trip to come to understand that our week had 75% of the guests who were over 15 year SWS veterans, and many with over 20 years.

After this trip, I can encourage any rider with confidence. what you might be looking quite hard for, what you might be waiting quite patiently for, it's right there, right now at SWS!
See our video here

Have just had a week @ SW. OUTSTANDING is the only way to describe it. The terrain is first rate- steep, light, dry and deep powder with alpine to glades on every run (drop offs galore which you are encouraged to do if into jumping), expert and fun guides who have all been there a long time.

The lodge has a great atmosphere- lots of laughs and the staff could not be more helpful and friendly. In the other cat, some of the skiers had been returning for 17 years!! Have already booked for next year. Powderhounds.com rating sold the destination and we were not disappointed. Tx
See our video here

Selkirk Wilderness cat skiing was the firstever cat skiing operations and it was the brainchild of Alan Drury a man known for living life to the fullest. Allan has since passed away but he and his wife Brenda built a legacy opening up Selkirk Wilderness Catskiing 37 years ago. Located in Meadow Creek, British Columbia which happens to fall smack dab in the middle of the infamous Selkirk Mountain range.

With over 600 inches of annual snowfall and mind blowing terrain it’s no wonder they choose this zone. Selkirk’s tenure is as big as Vail, Aspen, Whistler, Blackcomb all combined and this mixed in with some of the best tree skiing around taking your adventure to the next level, OVER THE TOP! SWS Guides like Jason Remple who’s been guiding guests around the SWS tenure for 19 years will put you on the money. So you like it little more open, ask Jason and he’ll show you plenty of big wide open bowls and faces to shred. Myself I live for the fun, steep pillowed zones that are common throughout their tenure. C’mon who doesn’t love getting a little air and landing in the deep freshies?

The SWS lodge is huge and it was designed with their guests in mind. It definitely has that down home comfortable feel when you return after a long day of shredding the pow. For those with some tired muscles, take a soak in the outdoor tub or kick back with a cold Kokanne in the après bar and game room. Food is top notch with plenty of it and the rooms, big, warm and comfy.

Over the years there have been a lot of changes at SWS but the Drury’s original vision have held steadfast as one of the premiere cat skiing destinations in the world. This place has the history, the vibe and more important the terrain.
See our video here

Skied SWS for ten years, with a few extra weeks thrown in for pure pleasure. Loved it, still love it, but am now leaving it for the younger crowd while I shred every bit of powder I can at my local hill.

Great Memories of Wonderful White Wilderness Weeks there!
See our video here

Don't know what else to say....snow lovers can fill in the blanks...AWESOME!!
See our video here