Cat Skiing in Europe
Cat skiing anywhere is paradise for Powderhounds. With all that fresh powder to sniff out and face shots galore, a Powderhound’s tail will definitely be wagging if they go cat skiing in Europe. And some of the European cat ski adventures rate amongst the best in the world. Whilst we love cats (but we couldn't eat a whole one), we adore cat-skiing in Europe compared to other continents for its affordability and quality of experience in remote parts of the world that we otherwise may never have visited.
Many avid skiers and boarders around the world don’t know what cat skiing is, but “knowledge is powder”!
The Europe cat ski locations in remote parts of North Macedonia, Georgia, Kosovo, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine have an added sense of adventure to them also. Click here to see all our European cat skiing packages.
What is Cat Skiing?
So why would a powder hound (a dog) want to go cat skiing? Shouldn’t it be dog skiing? So, if you’re wondering what the hell cat skiing is, it’s a fabulous form of guided backcountry skiing and snowboarding.
Cats or snowcats are large grooming style machines that transport up to 14 skiers and snowboarders up to backcountry areas in a purpose-built cabin. Whilst skiers and snowboarders are guided down fresh powder runs, the cat makes its way back to the bottom to pick them up to take them on the next run. Most Europe cat ski operators have exclusive access to a large ski area that’s big enough to ensure riders always have fresh tracks for powder skiing - awesome!
Benefits of Cat Skiing Europe
Europe cat skiing offers an opportunity to get away from the congestion and crowds at the ski resorts. “There are no friends on a powder day” is a common saying (one we don’t agree with!), but when you go cat skiing there is no powder panic and no need to use your elbows to get fresh lines. Freshies are almost guaranteed, and you only have to share the powder with a small group. Of course, another huge benefit of Europe cat skiing is that there you will generally be in quiet almost wilderness settings with no unruly lift queues or skied off crud and moguls.
Snowcat skiing has some similarities to heli skiing, with two of the main differences being that cat skiing is much cheaper and operates more often. Heli skiing has many grounded days where the helicopter can’t fly due to the weather. Thankfully snow-cats can still go out in snowstorms, and when the powder is falling is when you most want to be out there freeriding.
The only downside to cat skiing Europe is that it’s very easy to develop an addiction to powder skiing. You have been warned!
Where is Cat Skiing in Europe?
Cat-skiing was pioneered in Canada but has struggled to establish itself in Europe. Hence cat skiing in Europe is a comparative rarity, but it does exist and is actually growing. Cat ski operations are currently in North Macedonia, Georgia, Kosovo, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine.
One of the best cat ski experiences in the world is in the Lesser Caucasus mountains at Bakhmaro, Georgia. A well-established operation known for its amazing skiing, super deep snow, safety & exceptional hospitality. Established by a professional Swiss/German crew, Powderproject delivers an exceptional experience for more adventurous skiers & snowboarders. Having run its first season in 2016/17, it has quickly coming to terms with its superb terrain, establishing a new base lodge and expanding its number of snow-cats and terrain. In 2019, the Adjara mountain hut was established as a new location in the high alpine zone above Bakhmaro for expert skiers & snowboarders.
An intriguing cat ski option in the vastness of Siberia, Russia, is run by the Pri Freeride Company out of the small town of Priiskovy (or Priiskovoe), a 6hr drive from the closest major city of Krasnoyarsk. Pri Freeride cat skiing has been running since 2007 and operates 5 snowcats. Winter comes early at Priiskovy, with premium cat-skiing conditions already in early November and lasting well into May and sometimes June. All the splendid isolation of a classic Canadian cat-ski operation, but in Siberia. What could be more adventurous?
A new player on the block in the highest (& remotest) mountains in Kosovo near the Albanian border is Lynx Freeride. A cosy lodge & excellent food add to the vast terrain exclusively accessible to only one group each week. Also in Kosovo, Dane Freeride has been plying their cat skiing trade since the ski lifts at the once huge Brezovica ski resort starting to stop turning. With terrain in the old resort boundary as well as super long valley runs into local villages, a couple of days in Kosovo with Dane Freeride was one of the more interesting ski experiences the Powderhounds have ever had (& we have a fair few!).
The longest established cat ski operation in Europe is Eskimo Freeride, based in the small mountain village and crumbling ski resort of Popova Sapka, 70km east of Skopje in North Macedonia. Eskimo Freeride cat skiing provides an intriguing ski, nature, gastronomical & cultural experience across 10,000 hectares (25,000 acres) of alpine & forest terrain.
South of Popova Shapka near Bogovinje, Shar Outdoors operates a new cat skiing operation based out of two mountain hut, but also from the ski resort itself based in the Hotel Scardus. They also run the sensational Balkans Cat Ski Safari, taking in the best of North Macedonia & Kosovo, as well as snowcat assisted ski touring to the many peaks of the Shar mountains.
Also in North Macedonia is the super fun SF Freeride. Cat-skiing near Pelister ski area and within the Pelister National Park, the crew at SF Freeride know how to get the most out of any powder day with their tree & alpine terrain. Their enthusiasm is infectious, the skiing great, & the food needs to be seen to be believed.
The newest player in the cat ski world is Ovit Mountain Cat Skiing in the Kackar Mountains of northeast Turkey. A remote, high-elevation alpine pass, deep snow, amazing untouched terrain, a boutique hotel, and brand-new snowcats. What could be better!
In the Ukrainian Carpathian mountains, Drahobrat has been a base for cat-skiing for many years. Located in the far west of the country near the borders of Slovakia, Hungary & Romania, Drahobrat is home to several cat ski companies including the experienced Golden Ride crew. Watch this space as we get some of their tours up on Powderhounds.
Snowcat Skiing Safety
The discipline of cat skiing is not without risks considering that it occurs in the remote backcountry. Avalanches are one of the primary hazard concerns in the back-country and the operations put various strategies in place to lessen the risk.
Avalanche mitigation strategies and safety briefings are provided, plus all operators provide highly qualified lead and tail guides to accompany the cat skiing group. All cat skiing participants must wear an avalanche beacon and carry a safety pack with shovel, probe and (usually) an airbag.
More Reasons to Go Cat Skiing in Europe
If want to experience something different in a more remote part of Europe, try a week of cat-skiing. Most of the cat ski operations are discovering new territory in high snowfall zones where untracked powder is the rule, not the exception. From an affordability point of view, cat skiing and cat boarding is a fantastic alternative to heli-skiing, and usually experiences more days of operation AND better snow conditions from top to bottom!
A large survey of cat skiing and heli-skiing was commissioned in the world's biggest cat skiing area - BC Canada. The survey results speak volumes - 98% of first-time cat skiers indicated that they plan to go cat skiing again. Once experienced, forever addicted! Wonder how long it will take us to get the name changed to dog-skiing. Time will tell!