Colorado.com Staff Writer

<p>Cat skiing offers the best of both worlds: access to unspoiled natural terrain while under the guidance of experienced mountaineers trained to ensure safety in extreme (and extremely exciting) conditions.</p>


5 Ways to Experience Colorado’s Unrivaled Backcountry Skiing

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Enjoy Dinner From a Snowcat

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<p>For certain skiers, even the challenge of a double-black-diamond run isn’t quite enough. They want to experience Colorado’s legendary powder in its purest, most pristine state — and it’s because of these adventurous alpinists that a thriving <a href="/colorado-snowcat-tours">snowcat industry</a> exists. If you’ve never made first tracks in freshies, here are seven ways to make it happen this winter.</p>
<h2>Resort Snowcat Tours</h2>
<p>Most resort mountains keep a fleet of snowcats for grooming and maintenance, and many also use them to give guests access to terrain not accessible by lift — or subject to lift lines.</p>
<h3><strong>Monarch Mountain</strong></h3>
<p>Near <a href="/cities-and-towns/salida">Salida</a>, <a href="/resortski-area/monarch-mountain">Monarch Mountain</a> enjoys a gorgeous, uncrowded location in the Sawatch Range of the <a href="/national-forests-grasslands/pike-san-isabel-national-forests-cimarron-comanche-national-grasslands">San Isabel National Forest</a> — and the resort’s cat tours give guests the opportunity to embrace its finest assets. Full-day tours include expert-level skiing on every kind of terrain imaginable, with a break for lunch in the Cat Skiing Lounge and a complimentary bragging-rights beverage in the Sidewinder Saloon at day’s end. Conditions can be unpredictable, but guides take safety seriously; if you're an accomplished skier looking for more challenge, this is the place to get it.</p>
<h2>Independent Operators</h2>
<p>There are two basic distinctions between resort snowcat tours and trips run by independent operators: the presence of on-mountain facilities and the remoteness of the location. It’s up to you to weigh the pros and cons; for example, does an indoor lunch trump the possibility of discovering totally unexplored runs? Deciding where and how to go is half the fun!</p>
<h3><strong>Purgatory Snowcat Adventures</strong></h3>
<p>Through day trips that depart from <a href="/skiing-snowboarding/purgatory-resort">Purgatory</a> in <a href="/cities-and-towns/durango">Durango</a>, the <a href="https://www.colorado.com/durango/winter-activities/snowcat-tours/purgatory-snowcat-adventures">Purgatory Snowcat Adventures</a> operates under a special-use permit within the rugged <a href="/national-forest-and-grassland/san-juan-national-forest">San Juan National Forest</a> — covering a 35,000-acre triangle of terrain between <a href="/cities-and-towns/telluride">Telluride</a>, <a href="/cities-and-towns/silverton">Silverton</a> and Durango.</p>
<p>Because they’re working with more acreage than all of the other Colorado snowcat tour operators combined, the company has a unique ability to tailor their tours for the ability level and specific goals of each group. Tours include rental of powder-friendly equipment, avalanche safety gear and a sack lunch.</p>
<h3><strong>Silverton Powdercats</strong></h3>
<p>With a basecamp that’s just a short cat-ride from unblemished backcountry terrain, <a href="/cat-tour/silverton-powdercats">Silverton Powdercats</a> promises a plethora of wide-open faces with reliable high-country snow opens the field to what the company calls “advanced intermediate” skiers. These guides carefully consider the ability of the whole group before making a game plan for the day.</p>
<p>For the incorrigible thrill-seeker, guided hiking routes are also available. Equipment is not included, but you’ll be served a full picnic lunch and be able to ski down to your car.</p>
<h3><strong>Jones Pass Guides</strong></h3>
<p>If you’re a fearless powderhound with a no-frills attitude, try <a href="https://www.jonespassguides.com/">Jones Pass Guides</a>, a small-but-qualified outfit that operates under a special-use permit for the Jones Pass section of the Arapaho National Forest near <a href="/cities-and-towns/winter-park">Winter Park</a>. The area’s 2,600 acres are blessed with high altitude and northern exposure, which keep the powder light and dry, even into late spring.</p>
<p>Trips include demo skis, safety gear and a sack lunch for your day of epic pow. For an additional fee, you can bring along a photographer to capture the moment as you catch some serious air.</p>
<h3><strong>Irwin Guides</strong></h3>
<p><a href="/adventure-tours/irwin-guides">Irwin Guides</a> is legit: Though it’s only 10 miles from the funky ski destination of <a href="/cities-and-towns/crested-buttemt-crested-butte">Crested Butte</a>, the town of Irwin gets three times the amount of snowfall, often more than 600 inches a year. This group provides custom fat skis and boards and can accommodate a wide variety of abilities — even going so far as to groom backcountry runs for their beginner clients.</p>
<p>Yes, Irwin Guides charges more than most Colorado snowcat companies, but they also run a luxury operation in the absolute best sense of the word. You’ll travel in posh, meticulously maintained snowcats, savor your gourmet lunch and après-ski aperitifs in a fully appointed cabin, and generally feel as if you’re the center of their sparkling, snow-covered universe.</p>
<h2>Want More?</h2>
<p>Read about other <a href="/articles/snowcat-skiing-boarding-colorado">snowcat skiing guides</a>, discover Colorado's <a href="/articles/colorado-skiing-snowboarding-hidden-ski-hot-spots">Hidden Ski Hot Spots</a> and check out <a href="http://www.colorado.com/articles/americas-best-skiing-5-reasons-ski-snowboard-colorado">5 Reasons We've Got America's Best Skiing</a>.</p>
<p>Learn how to <a href="https://colorado.com/articles/how-recreate-responsibly-colorados-backcountry-winter">steer clear of winter backcountry danger</a>.</p>


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