cat skiing and snowmobiling tours - Selkirk Powder Company - independent outfittters at Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Sandpoint, Idaho



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1-866-Go-Idaho (464-3246) N America Toll free or 011-1-208- 263-6959 Int'l & Idaho local
Introduction to snowmobiling:
Established at Schweitzer Mountain Resort in 2002 as a precursor to their snowcat skiing, Selkirk Powder Company has been snowmobilng with 1000's of guests from their incredibly beautiful and snowy location at the top of the Selkirk Mountains on clean and comfortable Arctic Cat 4-stroke snowmobiles.

Besides the high level of service provided by our experienced and licensed guides, the special thing about snowmobiling with Selkirk Powder is that we start riding on the top of the mountains from our private summit lodge! That means when you come with us you never have to worry about having enough powder snow, leaving the resort or freezng your butt off in some remote snowmobile camp!
Snowmobile terrain:
In 2002 we developed one of the most beautiful snowmobile trails in North America by connecting Priest Lake's 400-mile trail system with a new 38-mile cross-country trail to Schweitzer's 6,400ft summit!

You don't need any prior snowmobiling experience but you do need a valid drivers license or learner's permit. After a short demonstration by our guides most folks find these snowmobiles are fun and drive the groomed and ungroomed trails just like little sports cars.

Snowmobiling safety:
We operate our own professional division of National Ski Patrol and we have an established mutual aid system set up with Schweitzer's Pro Patrol. At our lodge on Schweitzer Basin's summit we maintain a study plot charting snow pack conditions. 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.

Snowmobilers are required to wear a helmet (ski helmets are ok), but are not required to wear a transceiver.

The snowmobiles are built for two, but since we are riding 3,000 feet down into the valley and back up we need to not exceed a driver and passenger combined weight limit of 350lbs. Passengers can be as young as 5.
Snowmobiling and 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!

Typical day:
Few things are typical when you're in one of the snowiest places in the United States!
Typical will be; You have three(3) time choices 8:30am, 11:00 or 1:00pm.

All drivers and passengers (6 ea.max) register at our sales office in Schweitzer's Lakeview Lodge. During registration you are checked over for proper clothing and receive a lift ticket to the Great Escape chair. You'll take a 4-person high-speed detachable chairlift to the top of the mountain. At our summit lodge you'll meet your guide(s), fit some helmets and participate in a snowmobile driving/riding demonstration. Your guide will be licensed, experienced and fun to be with. You'll all wear helmets and ride nice snowmobiles. That's about it, the rest is as typical as a Chinese fire-drill!

Sometimes it's heavy weather and snowy, sometimes it's bright and sunny, but there's always snow. And you never have to concern yourself with not having fun or riding in the rain, that's our guarantee!

We hear all sorts of positive comments: from 'our guide was a blast' to "we went so far!' and "we ride and that was the best 'tour' we've ever been on!'.

For 1.5-hours your guide will lead you around to the best places he knows. It maybe a ridge-top run in the powder for a look at the world's largest floodpath or ride 3,000ft down into moose country. Where ever it is, it will be special, it will have photographic appeal and it's bound to burn in a great memory.

Tour agendas go somewhat like this:

8:30am Reservation; Party meets at our Lakeview Lodge kiosk predared to leave.
Completing reservations takes about 10 mins and you'll have 10 mins to get prepared to be outside.
At 8:50 the group loads the Great Escape chairlift and you're all whisked to our lodge in about 7 minutes!
You'll come into our lodge for helmets and final tour preparations. Next is a snowmobile driving demonstration and then it's off on the trail for a 1.5 hour tour, returning to the summit at 10:45. After a cocoa and snack, you'll download the chairlift and be back in the Lakeview Lodge about 11:15.

11:00am Reservation; Party meets at our Lakeview Lodge kiosk predared to leave.
Completing reservations takes about 10 mins and you'll have 10 mins to get prepared to be outside.
At 11:20 the group loads the Great Escape chairlift and you're all whisked to our lodge in about 7 minutes! You'll come into our lodge for helmets and final tour preparations. Next is a snowmobile driving demonstration and then it's off on the trail for a 1.5 hour tour, returning to the summit at 1:15. After a cocoa and snack, you'll download the chairlift and be back to the Lakeview Lodge about 1:45.

1:00pm Reservation; Party meets at our Lakeview Lodge kiosk predared to leave.
Completing reservations takes about 10 mins and you'll have 10 mins to get prepared to be outside.
At 1:20 the group loads the Great Escape chairlift and you're all whisked to our lodge in about 7 minutes!
You'll come into our lodge for helmets and final tour preparations. Next is a snowmobile driving demonstration and then it's off on the trail for a 1.5 hour tour, returning to the summit at 3:15. After a cocoa and snack, you'll download the chairlift and be back to the Lakeview Lodge about 3:45.
2011-2012 SNOWMOBILING PRICES* ^ +

Tour rates Weekends and Holidays Midweek and
Non-holidays		 Comments
  $100.00 driver
$175.00 driver with passenger		 $90.00 driver
$157.50 driver with passenger		 Midweek saves 10%

* 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)

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)

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



Home | Snow Cat Skiing | Webcam & Weather | Contact Us/Secure Request Form
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cat skiing and snowmobiling tours - Selkirk Powder Company - independent outfittters at Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Sandpoint, Idaho