West/northwest aspect freshies on great pitches. Oh Baby!
Introduction to cat skiing: The Selkirks, the major mountain range for snowcat and helicopter ski operations in the Rocky Mountains, originate just north of Spokane, Washington and run northly into British Columbia, Canada. This famously snowy range really makes presence when you see it pop from Sandpoint, Idaho. (Sandpoint was recently named "America's Most Beautiful Small Town" by Rand/McNally) Now imagine 4400' up on the Selkirk Crest overlooking Sandpoint is the Pacific Northwest's largest ski area! Schweitzer Mountain Resort is 2,900 acres with 10 surface lifts, 2 swell village hotels, 5 bars and hundreds of condos. Just 30 miles from the wettest place in the US Rockies this resort is an instant huge hit for those looking for consistent and skiable powder. Schweitzer was recently rated by SKI Magazine editors "The Best Resort You've Never Skied". Think of it as a "Red Mountain South" , a "little area that rocks" or a "core" skier's mountain. Well, Selkirk Powder Company is literally the wild west-side of that. It's pretty special here at Selkirk Powder Company, our private lodge sits right on the top of the area and our permits allowing us the thousands of west-facing acres where we entertain our 10 riders with just one cat per day. Our guests, some back for the 5th year (that's as long as we've been doing it by snowcat), continuously rave about the exclusivity, the good nature of our guides, the seemly endless array of first tracks and the wickedly consistent fresh powder.

	Pillows galore, mello open powder fields, steep glades. What's your call?
Cat skiing terrain: Unless you are booking a private cat day, you need to be a strong intermediate to advanced skier or snowboarder able to ski and ride your home mountain's black diamond runs safely and confidently. Some amount of experience riding ungroomed snow is helpful, but not neccesary. Beginners are welcome on private snowcats! We operate only one snowcat from the top of a 3-mile long ridge-line fringing thousands of acres of west and north facing slopes filled with glades, chutes and open bowls. Our 90-named runs vary from super steep to super mellow and it's been professionally remarked that our permitted area is extremely well-rounded for all abilities. Our elevations range from 6660' to 4500' and are found be very comfortable by folks coming from the coasts. Skiing from treeline additionally allows us to operate in all conditions and we're known for getting some serious weather! We're just 30 air-miles from the wettest spot in the US Rocky Mountains; the average annual snowfall is over 300 inches and it's spread out well through-out the season. Please bear in mind that we are skiing in ungroomed terrain with natural obstacles in abundance and we ride whatever mother nature gives us. To get the best experience and avoid fatigue we recommend using "fat" skis with at least 90mm underfoot. There are plenty of ski and snowboard rental choices out of two shops located in Schweitzer's village; the Source (208-255-3070) and the Alpine Shop (208-263-4906) and from the Sport's Creel, in Spokane Valley. Sport's Creel (509-924-2330) is an easy stop on your way up from Spokane Airport.

	We're fast here, there's no waiting around for your 10-person Pisten Bully.
Cat skiing safety: Every guide must renew his/her license annually with the State of Idaho's Outfitter and Guides Licensing Board. Each guide trains annually on current avalanche safety procedures. Selkirk Powder Company operates our own professional division of National Ski Patrol and we have an established mutual aid system set up with Schweitzer's National Ski Patrol. At our lodge on Schweitzer Basin's summit we host a wireless Davis weather system and maintain a snow study plot. Logs of weather observations, avalanche profiles (pit data) and ski run results are maintained using the latest Internet-based and GPS software technologies available to us right there. Cell phone reception is excellent throughout most of our operating area and where it's not we have it covered by our FCC-licensed UHF radio channel.

	It's not always sunshiny blue, but the powder riding is always great!
Cat skiing history: While on an All About Adventures bicycle tour between Sandpoint and Glacier in the late 90's Ken Barrett and Chip Kamin came up with the concept Selkirk Powder suspecting it could be the best resort-based cat skiing operation in North America.They were avid backcountry/sidecountry skiers at Schweitzer since '94 and foresaw the 6,000+acre combination of Schweitzer's backcountry and the abutting state-owned land as a mega-sized powder haven! Together they snowmobiled and skied to every peak in the Selkirk Mountain's Middle Fork drainage searching out the best powder runs and the quickest snowcat access to Schweitzer's historically elusive summit from the west-side. Out of these huge efforts a major recreation area was developed over the western side of Schweitzer's already expansive boundary line. In 2002 a newly formed entity, Selkirk Powder Company, attained the permission of the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board to operate guided snowmobile tours. It then leased Schweitzer Mountain Resort's backcountry landholdings and became permitted by the Idaho Department of Lands to operate in their adjacent Priest Lake State Forest's 186,000 acres. In 2002 we outsourced the snowmobile trail-grooming requirements to Schweitzer and began offering snowmobile tours from the summit of Schweitzer Mountain. In 2003 we built our lodge on the summit of Schweitzer Basin. We began 2004 by purchasing a Sherpa snowmobile with a sleigh. Things really took off! when the IOGLB licensed us to operate cat-skiing tours. We've grown-up, running powerful snowcats and a fleet of 4-stroke snowmobiles. It's been quite a run since those Sherpa days. We're proud of being the only outfitter offering two incredibly fun and exciting, however divergent, winter recreation sports in the Selkirk Mountains, snowcat skiing and snowmobiling!

	No farming here! We put just 10 riders into 3,000 Selkirk Powder acres!
Cat skiing typical day: After a final registration at our sales office in Schweitzer's Lakeview Lodge at 8:00 and an 8:50 upload on Schweitzer's main summit chairlift ,10 riders and 1 guide drop in. The average run is 1,200vft and the longest 2,200vft. We average 8+ runs and ski 10,000 to 14,000vft! Lunches, snacks and water are included, but we are really famous for delivering oven-hot Thors pizzas.* (* Private snowcat option) Our expert ski guides Ken, Chip and James are very well trained with each holding numerous medical and avalanche education certificates. They're complimented repeatedly for their 'at-ease in operations' and their ability to find untracked lines while exhibiting balanced respect between the client's ability and the terrain. Between our ski guides alone there is over 45 years of experience skiing in the back bowls of Schweitzer. Ken Chip James We wrap up skiing around 3:00pm and you'll be back in the hotel, your car or the bar by 4:00! No long trips in, no slogs out, just quick access to the Selkirk Powder goods!

	The best smowcat view: Lake Pend Oreille and Sandpoint are your backdrop!
2011-2012 Cat skiing prices: * ^ + Tour Rates Jan 02 - Jan 15 March 16 - April 08 Dec 24 - Jan 01 Jan 16 - March 15 Comments 1 - 2 days $350.00 $400.00 per person 3 + days $315.00 $360.00 Multi days riders save 10% Private $2900.00 $3300.00 Up to10 riders. Saves 17% Kids &Teens $250.00 $265.00 Must be with a parent/guardian Students $300.00 $315.00 Full-time students only with ID Military $300.00 $315.00 Active Service only with ID Stand by $300.00 $315.00 Call us to get on the stand by list Backcountry Tour $150.00 $150.00 Min $300 (6 max per guide) * Subject to Idaho sales tax 1.06% ^ Canadians at Par + SMR season pass holders receive 10% discount (not to be combined with any other discount) 2011-2012 Cat skiing calendar RESERVATION POLICIES** Deposit if you are booking 120 days in advance and the value of your tour is $500.00 you can book with a 50% deposit. Your balance is due 60 days in advance of your tour date and is automatically taken on the account used to make the deposit. REFUNDS: Refund request by client 1. Cancellation notice received with MORE THAN 60 days before tour date: a. You will be charged a 10% handling fee b. If you rebook to another day all monies are transferable 2. Cancellation notice received with LESS THAN 59 days before tour date: a. No refund NO REFUNDS FOR RAIN or INCLEMENT WEATHER: If rains or inclement weather forces Selkirk Powder Company to cancel your tour, we will hold a CREDIT for you on our books for one year. We will not refund your tour. NO REFUNDS FOR MECHANICAL FAILURE: If a mechanical failure forces Selkirk Powder Company to cancel your tour, we will hold a CREDIT for you on our books for one year. We will not refund your tour. SHORTENED TOUR: If a tour is shortened we will hold a PRO-RATED CREDIT for you on our books for one year. We will not refund your tour. TRAVEL INSURANCE: If you are considering that you may need or want to change (ie cancel and re-book) your reservation, we strongly suggest that you purchase TRAVEL INSURANCE with "CFAR" coverage. INSUREMYTRIP.COM offers a wide list of insurance companies underwriting such a coverage. Get instant quotes online, using the link provided below. For reservations dial toll-free! 866-Go Idaho (464-3246) Send us a Secure Quote Request Form Purchase "Cancel for Any Reason" Winter Vacation Travel Insurance LODGING AND ACTIVITES OPTIONS We can assist you and your group in arranging slopeside Schweitzer condos, village hotels, B & Bs or in downtown motels or a quaint country-side dude ranch. Our staff has the best local knowledge and the broadest choices to make your stay special. Call us for a custom quote on lodging and activities. LODGING Selkirk Lodge: Schwetzer Village - Slopeside hotel style floor plans to elegant suites. Micro kitchen, mini frig, microwave, restuarant, cafe, fire place in lobby, in-door parking, outdoor pool and hot tubs. White Pines Lodge: Schweitzer Village - Slopeside lodge features contemporary mountain condos. Full kitchens, in-door parking and hot tubs. Schweitzer Village condos - a variety of on-mountain condos perfect for families and groups. Slopeside deluxe to economical. Schweitzer Bed & Breakfast: Schweitzer Village - Ski in- Ski-out. 5 Bedrooms, 5 Baths (Sleeps 10-12) Swiss chalet with old world charm, ski in-ski out. Smoke-free, decorated with Victorian antiques. Western Pleasure Guest Ranch - Sandpoint countryside, 20 miles - Choose from a variety of lodging options. six spacious guest rooms in the 10,000 square foot main lodge, each with private bath or deluxe cabins. Cabins accommodate up to six, with a queen bed in the main bedroom, a loft sleeping area with a queen and two twins, furnished kitchen, full bath and classic wood stove heat. Best Western Edgewater: Sandpoint, 12 miles - A beautiful beachfront location in downtown Sandpoint. All rooms are lakeview and feature cable, satellite television, in-room movies and free WIFI. Has indoor pool and hot tub. La Quinta Inn: Sandpoint, 12 miles - In the heart of downtown Sandpoint. Standard guest rooms are spacious and suites with hot tubs and kitchenettes have a North Country theme. Free Bright Side Breakfast with hot Belgium Waffles. Fitness room, gift shop, an outdoor seasonal swimming pool and large whirlpool. GuestHouse Lodge: Ponderay, 10 miles - Standard rooms and amenities. Continental breakfast and offers a spa tub. Days Inn: Ponderay, 10 miles - Standard rooms and amenities. Holiday Inn Express & Suites: Ponderay, 10 miles - Included with your room are Free Deluxe Continental Breakfast, Free WIFI, Indoor pool/hot tub, fitness room, business room and on side coin op laundry. All rooms have microwave, refrigerator, in room coffee, hair dryer, and iron w/board. Wingate by Wyndham: Spokane Airport, 80 miles Full hotel services and amenities. ACTIVITIES Van transportation from Spokane, Coeur d'Alene or Sandpoint airports Rental car services Schweitzer lift tickets Powder skis and poles - performance demo rentals Powder snowboards - performance demo rentals Tubing sessions - 1.5 hour sessions XC skiing - rentals Snowshoeing - rentals Sleigh rides at Western Pleasure Guest Ranch in the Selle Valley Wine tasting and tour of Pend Oreille Winery in downtown Sandpoint Beer tasting and brewing tours of Laughing Dog Brewery in Ponderay DIRECTIONS Selkirk Powder Company is located at Schweitzer Mountain Resort: 10,000 Schweitzer Mountain Road Sandpoint, ID 83864 Approximate Travel Time: car hours Boise - 9 Bozeman - 7 Calgary - 6 Coeur d'Alene - 1 Cranbrook - 3 Missoula - 4 Nelson - 3 Portland - 8 Seattle - 7 Spokane Airport - 2 Tri-Cities - 4 From Spokane, WA or C d'A, ID I-90 east to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho US 95 north to Sandpoint (38 miles) Cross the Long Bridge and take the new Sandpoint bypass Turn left at Schweitzer Cut-Off Road (lights with Burger King and Conoco Station) Turn right onto North Boyer Road at the "T" intersection Turn left onto Schweitzer Mountain Road 9 miles to Schweitzer Village From British Columbia, Canada Take Hwy 95 South from the British Columbia border to Sandpoint (45 miles) Turn right onto Schweitzer Cut-Off Road (lights with Burger King and Conoco Station) Turn right at the "T" intersection onto North Boyer Road Turn right onto North Boyer Road at the "T" intersection Turn left onto Schweitzer Mountain Road 9 miles to Schweitzer Village From Missoula, Montana I-90 west from Missoula to Coeur d'Alene, ID US 95 north to Sandpoint (38 miles) Cross the Long Bridge and take the new Sandpoint bypass Turn left at Schweitzer Cut-Off Road (lights with Burger King and Conoco Station) Turn right onto North Boyer Road at the "T" intersection Turn left onto Schweitzer Mountain Road 9 miles to Schweitzer Village or Take Hwy 200 West from Ravali to Sandpoint Turn right at lights in Ponderay on Kootenai Cutoff Road Go straight at lights of Kootenai Cutoff Road & HWY 95 Kootenai Cutoff Road becomes Schweitzer Cutoff Road Turn right onto North Boyer Road at the "T" intersection Turn left onto Schweitzer Mountain Road 9 miles to Schweitzer Village or From Whitefish, Montana Take US 2 west to Bonners Ferry US 95 south to Sandpoint Turn right onto Schweitzer Cut-Off Road (lights with Burger King and Conoco Station) Turn right onto North Boyer Road at the "T" intersection Turn left onto Schweitzer Mountain Road 9 miles to Schweitzer Village

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