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Sponsored by Loveland
Loveland—known as “Denver’s local mountain”—is home to one of North America’s longest ski seasons and the kind of authentic ski experience that you can’t find just anywhere. Headlining the ski experience at Loveland is something that few mountains can offer: Not one, but two distinct snowcat experiences, the Ridge Cat and Guided Snowcat Tours. Each tour offers a completely different, extraordinary adventure for skiers and riders of varying abilities. Let us help you decide which of Loveland’s snowcat tours is best for you.
Loveland Snowcat Tour
Loveland’s Guided Snowcat Tour delivers for intermediate and expert skiers and snowboarders who want an authentic guided backcountry ski experience, but without the steep price that often comes with a backcountry snowcat tour. Guests enjoy nearly 600 acres of open bowl skiing in fresh powder with Loveland’s guides who know exactly where to find the best snow. Skiers and riders can expect 8-12 runs per day, depending on conditions and skill level, and 600-800 feet of vertical per run. In other words, you can rack up close to 10,000 vertical feet in a single day.
The experience starts as low as $370, with Loveland season pass holders receiving 10% off. Loveland’s Snowcat Tours are offered every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from late- January through mid-April, conditions permitting. Full-day trips include water refills, an avalanche transceiver, a lift ticket to access the cat, and three guides. It also comes with breakfast, a gourmet picnic lunch (think peppered turkey and black forest ham on a sourdough baguette or chicken pesto on ciabatta), snacks, and an aprés-ski drink.
Reservations are required and must be made at least 24 hours prior to the start of the trip. It’s recommended to book it as far in advance as possible, since seats can sell out.
Loveland Ridge Cat Tour
Loveland’s Ridge Cat Tour is unique in its own right, featuring a free ride on the Ridge Cat for skiing along the Continental Divide amidst some of the resort’s most challenging terrain. The Ridge Cat, operating Thursday through Sunday (and some holiday Mondays, including Presidents’ Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., provides unguided access to Field of Dreams, Velvet Hammer, Tickler, 13,010, and Marmot, when conditions permit. Skiers and riders are just required to have a valid season pass or a lift ticket with the free Ridge Cat Pass access, which can be picked up free of charge at the Basin Ticket Office. Note that the Ridge Cat provides access to expert-only terrain.
Which Tour Is Right For You
Loveland’s cat skiing tours offer two completely distinct experiences. The unguided first-come, first-served Ridge Cat Tour, offered during a four-hour window, is ideal for advanced skiers and riders looking for a no-cost way to reach expert-level terrain and explore at their own pace. It’s raw, rugged, and uniquely Loveland, accessible only by a strenuous hike or Ridge Cat.
The Guided Snowcat Tour on the other hand, is Loveland’s premier cat ski tour, featuring a curated, guided, full-day backcountry experience for intermediate and advanced skiers and riders. It offers an incredible amount of skiing and access to vertical and fresh powder and unique perks, including the option to rent demo powder skis or snowboards through the Adventure Center in the Loveland Basin Sport Shop for just $50. While there’s a cost, it’s one of the most affordable guided cat skiing experiences you’ll find. At many ski resorts, the combined cost of a lift ticket, meals, and après can easily approach $400. At Loveland, you get all of that—and more—plus a full day of guided cat skiing for less than $400. Loveland’s Snowcat Tour makes for a truly unique backcountry experience. Learn more and book the Snowcat Tour on Loveland’s website.
Header image ©Flip McCririck/Loveland Ski Area
January 07, 2026
