OTS Heli/Cat Guide: Island Lake Catskiing

Island Lake Catskiing is known as one of the first hubs of cat-access skiing and riding in North America. Legends like Craig Kelly and Scot Schmidt were a part of this operation going back to their inception. 

Island Lake consists of three luxurious lodges with every amenity you could dream up in a scenic backcountry lodge. Drinking and dining at the lodge is almost as fantastic as the skiing. Their French-inspired Rocky Mountain fare spawned a cookbook featuring dishes prepared by past and current Island Lake chefs. A 3,000-bottle cellar ensures the perfect pairing with that scrumptious meal.

National Geographic Traveler called Island Lake one of the best places in the world to stay for good reason. Check out the full 360-degree lodge tours on their website and be ready to be pampered.

Check out the following story for more: "Island Lake Catskiing: Sleep-Away Camp for Powder Hungry Skiers & Riders"

If You Go:

Travel: Fernie, BC is a 3.5 hour drive from Calgary and two hours from Kalispell, Mont.

Basic Package: All lodging, food, skiing and ski/snowboards are included

Years in Biz: 25

Size of Tenure: 7,000 acres

Snowfall: 900-1,200 cm (30-40 feet) per winter season

Size of Group: 12 guests in one cat, maximum 36 guests or three cats at any one time.

Guarantee: Guests average 15,000 feet of vertical per day, but Island Lake offers no guarantees.

How they Charge: Outings start at $1,460 CA per person for two days and go up from there.

In celebration of their 25th Anniversary, Island Lake Catskiing produced a series of webisodes highlighting their history and the experience of cat skiing at Island Lake. The following webisode features Freeskiing legend, Scot Schmidt:

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