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Snowcat Skiing + Boarding |
Winter Park, Rocky Mountains of Colorado |
Welcome to Powder Addictions Snowcat Tours
Less than 1 hour drive from Denver
Our operation lies less than 1 hour drive from Denver. The closest powder skiing operation to the Front Range. If joining us from the Grand County you will meet at our World Headquarters in the Village at Winter Park. Our Jones Pass location gets the benefits of storms that flow in from all directions. We typically get hit by all the Colorado storms. This means you get the best chance for sweet skiing conditions when you ski with us.
You will spend the day skiing virgin snow at an average elevation of 11,000 feet. The high altitude combined with good Northern exposure keeps our snow cold and light. Your first ride up in the cat the guides hold a safety briefing, and talk about skiing procedures for the day. There will be plenty of time to ask questions get your gear organized and crank some tunes to get you amped.
When you step out of the cat for the first time you will be at one of several drop off points. The first run will be decided based on current conditions that day. It could be a high alpine bowl or some sweet tree shots. Most of our skiing happens one at a time for safety reasons. One of the guides always skis first and sets boundaries and a meeting spot. Guest will follow one at a time and stick close the line the guide sets. Once we are lower on the mountain we may ski as a group and we will reunite with the cat for a quick break and a sweet ride back up the hill.
Lunch
Lunch will happen in the cat unless it is a warm bluebird day. Try not to go into food coma as we will start skiing again right after lunch.
At some point we will do a short hike to access another ridge with endless lines. Our Forest Service regulations do not allow the snowcat to be within 100 feet of the ridge line, so sometimes a short hike is needed. Last run is at 3:30pm
During the first half of the day our photographer will ride along and get some great shots of you and your friends rippin the POW. There will be several options for photos including a cool slide show you can put on your iphone, or other mp3 device.
When we arrive back at the World Headquarters in Winter Park, you will be treated to a complimentary beer, while you check out the days photos on the big screen, and give your legs a much deserved rest.
Schedule
5:30pm Day before Trip
Please stop by Powder Addiction World Headquarters, after 5:30pm the day before your trip. We will have you sign a waiver and adjust the bindings on the powder skis you will be borrowing from us. At this time we can also answer any questions about your trip and give you the expected weather and snow conditions for the following day. If you stop by the night before you do not need to arrive until 7:50am on the day of your trip.
7:45am Day of Trip
On the day of your trip if you were not able to stop by the night before please arrive at the Powder Addiction World Headquarters at 7:45am. The guides will adjust the bindings on your powder skis, issue safety gear, which includes an avalanche beacon, shovel and probe pole, then we have you sign a release of liability.
8:00am
At 8:00am we will load into our van and drive over Berthoud Pass to the Jones Pass trail head where our snowcat will be waiting.
8:30am
If you are meeting us at the Jones Pass trail head please arrive by 8:30 when the rest of us arrive from Winter Park, to sign a liability release and get your bindings adjusted and have safety equipment issued.
9am-4:30
We will ski till about noon and then take a short break for lunch, after lunch we will ski until the last run at 3:30pm. We will then transport you back to the Village at Winter Park to return your gear and have a free beer.
Please get enough rest on the night before your trip and have breakfast before you arrive in the morning. There will not be time for you to go and get breakfast before leaving the village. An energy bar in your pocket is always a good idea when heading out into the backcountry.
There are no bathroom facilities at the trailhead or within our operating area at Jones Pass. Once out skiing we can make “pee stops” as often as needed. If you need to do more than pee, we will have a Wag Bag™ toilet kit available for you.
Please arrive well hydrated. We operate between 10,500’ and 12,500’ the air is dry and you will be playing hard. Bring a water bottle or other hydration system and we will have a water jug you can refill from during the day.
Open 7 days a Week
Minimum Age
14-yrs-old, with an accompanying parent. Must be 16 to go without a parent (parent must still sign the waiver).
| Snowcat Tour |
Low Season |
High Season |
| Price per person |
$300 /day |
$350 /day |
| Full Cat (12 Guests max) |
$3,000 /day |
$3,500 /day |
| Hot Seat Membership |
$100 membership |
$175 /day* |
Low Season Rates: December 10th – December 21st, March 21st – April 30th
High Season Rates: December 22nd – March 21st
Includes
Safety gear, powder skis, transportation to and from Jones Pass, lunch, snacks, day of guided skiing.
Hot Seat Program
* The $100 fee is non-refundable and a non-transferable membership fee. This is a membership in the program that allows you to purchase discounted seats on short notice. Each membership is good for the member to purchase discounted snowcat trips at $175 each just for themselves. You can not purchase seats for other people at the discounted rate.
* Availability of Hot Seats will be emailed no more than two days prior to the trip.
* Once you receive the email, call Powder Addiction to confirm your seat. If you call before all the seats are booked, you’re in.
* The cut off to reserve a Hot Seat is 5:00pm the day before the trip.
* The Hot Seat list will be limited to 200 participants.
* If a Hot Seat Subscriber has made attempts to book a Hot Seat during the season, but has been denied because of availability (i.e. they have not been able to get on the snowcat AT ALL), they may apply the $100 to join the Hot Seat List next year, or they may receive $100 off a full price seat next year.
To purchase your Hot Seat Membership, click here.
Snowcat Photography
Studio Kiva professional photography company will take a variety of shots for the first part of the day and get your hero shot for you! This is a once in a lifetime chance to receive a professional photograph of yourself skiing or snowboarding in these back bowls of powder! You will be glad you prebooked for the action shot of a lifetime!
Meeting Location and Time for Winter Park Snowcat Tour
Meeting time is 5:30pm the day before your snowcat tour or 7:45am in winter park. You can park in the outlying parking for the Winter Park Ski area and ride the Cabriolet to the Village. The checkin office is down the hill about 50 yards on the left after you exit the Cabriolet lift. You can also make arrangements to meet the snowcat at the trail head, in which case your meeting time is 8:30am. Please anticipate winter driving conditions and traffic to make sure you are on time.
You can use our Google Maps on the right side of this page for directions and drive times.
Meeting Time
Please see Meeting Location above.
Color coding of our calendar:
Gray areas are dates that are currently unavailable.
White check boxes are for a one day trip/reservation.
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Color coding of our calendar:
Gray areas are dates that are currently unavailable.
White check boxes are for a one day trip/reservation.
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You can search all the trips that we offer
Upon making a reservation, all guests agree to these terms and conditions
We do not have control or responsibility for the weather, (wish we did!).
4 to Ride Rule
On any given day we must have 4 seats sold to guarantee the trip will go. We will take reservations for less than 4 and then try to fill the day but cannot promise it will go.
Refund Policy
No refunds will be given for cancellations within 7 days of scheduled trip. Cancellations prior to 7 days can reschedule for no extra fee, or receive a 90% refund, for a complete cancellation.
In the rare case that skiing and boarding must be cancelled due to mechanical failure, road closures or high avalanche hazard, we will provide a full refund. Refunds do not occur for a client’s inability to arrive on time or for health related issues or cancellations due to family emergencies or injuries. We reserves the right to cancel a package at any time, and full refunds will be given. We cannot be held responsible for any client’s personal inconvenience or travel expenses.
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More Trip Information
Winter Park check in office directions.
For directions and driving time from where you are to where the Powder Addictions, Winter Park, CO is located/meets at, enter your starting point as:
City, State or Zip Code or Airport and click on our button.
Directions to where the tour starts.
If you plan to meet your tour at Jones Pass, you must inform us of your plans to meet the tour at this location.
For directions and driving time from where you are to where the NoWhere is located/meets at, enter your starting point as:
City, State or Zip Code or Airport and click on our button.
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What is the vertical average per day?
8,000 to 18,000 ft with runs up to 2,000 ft of vertical.
On average, 8 runs or more depending on how fast the group skis.
What to bring
Please see our backcountry gear list.
Equipment Rentals
All of the safety gear and powder skis are included. You can use your own powder skis and if you are a boarder, you will need to bring your own board or rent a board. There are several rental shops in Winter Park or at the ski area that can help you with a snowboard rental.
The BOC store has items that we suggest for this trip.
Group organizers may go on this trip for free! Click here for details.
Winter Park accommodations
Iron Horse Resort.
Powder Addictions
Winter Park, Colorado
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Questions?
Please call the BOC at:
303-444-8420
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