Nelson Kootenay Lake Marketed As The Cat Ski Capital of the World

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but what happens in Nelson Kootenay Lake you’ll want to share with your friends and family. Skiing pillowy, deep powder where you carve fresh lines with each turn is something you’ll want to talk about. And even better, in the Nelson Kootenay Lake area there are five operators to choose from, making this area the Cat Ski Capital of the World, and it is in our backyard.

With 5 cat-ski companies in the Nelson Kootenay Lake area, including Baldface, Selkirk Wilderness, White Grizzly, Valhalla Powder Cats and Retallack it has been verified that we have more cat-skiing, operators, terrain and snow than anywhere else in the world. Have you skied any of these places yet?

You can ski these powdery terrains December to April, and enjoy your private cat, decadent dining, and very comfortable accommodations right up at the lodges on the mountains or in the nearby towns. Does it sound a bit like heaven? It is.

97,000 acres of terrain
13 metres of snowfall annually
2500 metre elevation at the peaks
14 cats daily – each holds up to 12 people (potentially serving about 2,000 people over 16 weeks)
terrain varies from open bowls to perfectly spaced trees, steep powdery chutes, boulder gardens, uninterrupted fall lines and high peaks with glorious views
you will ski 12,000 to 20,000 vertical feet per day
accommodation is provided at 4 of the 5: Baldface, Retallack, White Grizzly and Selkirk Wilderness Skiing.
Stay 1 day to 8 days, or longer if you choose – length of say varies with each cat ski company
Cat Skiing originated here at Selkirk Wilderness Skiing in 1975 by Allan and Brenda Drury
Warm up the legs a day or two before cat skiing at Whitewater Ski Resort (1184 acres) 20 minutes from Nelson.
Accommodation is available in Nelson, Ainsworth Hot Springs, Kaslo and Meadow Creek.

Each cat ski company has its own character offering delicious meals and comfortable accommodation (both understatements, as you will discover).

Read more about each place at www.nelsonkootenaylake.com/cat-ski-capital. For more information contact Dianna Ducs, Executive Director of Nelson Kootenay Lake tourism. Dianna Ducs has lots of information on staying and playing in this cat ski wonderland. Give her a call at 250-352-7879 or email diannaducs@nelsonkootenaylake.com.