Snowbird to offer backcountry snowcat skiing starting Dec. 24

For the first time in its 41-year history, Snowbird Ski Resort will offer backcountry snowcat skiing beginning Dec. 24.

“The new snowcat skiing will offer Snowbird’s guests a different amenity than inbounds area skiing,” said Bob Bonar, the resort’s general manager.

To begin the snowcat skiing program, the resort will use one Bombardier 350 snowcat and expand to additional machines if there is enough public interest.

The Bombardier will carry a driver and one guide in the two front seats. There will be enough space for 10 guests and one additional guide in the cab of the machine.

“The cat skiing will be taken on a day to day basis,” said Dave Fields, vice-president of resort operations and the resort’s marketing director. “Conditions have to be safe and there has to be enough paying guests to make each day worth while to run the operation.”

Snowbird’s cat skiing will cost $450 per person and include breakfast at the Cliff Lodge, a tram ride to the top of Hidden Peak, six ski runs and a packed lunch.

A minimum of four paying guests is required for the cat skiing operation to function daily.

In addition to the trained snowcat driver, two Snowbird Ski Patrol members will guide the operation.

“We wanted our ski patrol members to become guides for the operation to gain experience and continue to improve their backcountry skills,” said Pat Krause, the resort’s dispatch manager. “We have more than 70 ski patrol members on staff. Typically 35 members work daily. Of the other 35 members who are off, two of them will be asked to guide the cat skiing operation.”

A typical snowcat skiing day will start with breakfast at 7 a.m. at the Atrium Restaurant in the Cliff Lodge, Bonar said. During breakfast, guests will meet their guides for the day and go through a snowcat, backcountry and avalanche beacon orientation.

Everyone involved in the snowcat skiing operation is required by Snowbird to wear an avalanche beacon, a device worn under a person's clothing, which transmits a signal of his or her position all day. If caught in an avalanche, the signal will help rescuers locate the trapped victim.

After orientations the guests will ride the 8:30 a.m. tram to the top of Hidden Peak, Bonar said. The guests will then ski or snowboard from the top of Hidden Peak down the backside of Snowbird Ski Resort, better known as Mineral Basin. The snowcat will be waiting for guests to arrive at the bottom of the ski run.

All of the snowcat skiing will take place on private land owned by Snowbird as well as parts of Forest Service ground.

“The snowcat skiing will access Miller Hill, the Mineral Basin Ridge and the Mary Ellen area," said Peter Schory, the resort’s winter operations director. “This is something Snowbird has wanted to do for a long time now. It is going to add a backcountry experience that many other resorts don’t have the luxury to offer.”