Review Date
August 12, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: mtwilliams, Skier

Price Paid: $475.00 at Retallack Lodge

Summary:
My group of 12 returned to Retallack for a 3-day tour in mid-January and it was perfect. Still my favorite cat skiing operation anywhere. It snowed from December 26 until the day we arrived, then it kept on coming down. The only downside was that the avi danger was in the high to extreme the whole trip and we couldn't ski any of the open terrain. We had too much fun skiing the deep in the steep trees to complain. As always, Phil, Thomas, and the rest of the crew showed us a great time at the lodge, great meals, and outstanding skiing. They even took my suggestion and started an hour earlier each day! We played a lot of poker, watched the Broncos playoff game on the new satellite television, and even checked e-mail with their new wireless system. I have researched literally every cat skiing operation in BC and there is no doubt that Retallack offers the best value.

Customer Service:
Excellent! This crew is extremely customer-oriented.

Similar Products Used:
Big Red Cats, Valhalla Powdercats, Montana Backcountry Adventures, Berthoud Powderguides, Steamboat Powdercats

Review Date
February 20, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Westcirque, Skier

Price Paid: $475.00 at Retallack

Summary:
We returned (18 guys, skiers & boarders)as we said we would, and Mother Nature lit it up this year. The steep terrain we hoped to ride was spectacular. The conditions were amazing (early Feb. 2006), and the boys were grinnig all week. We had 4 full long ski days, that were expertly managed by the guides; they were safe and fun. They pushed some hairy stuff at the guys that could handle it, and we were ecstatic. Everything that was good about it from last year was equally as good, and anything we suggested that might make things better they seem to have done. Music in the cat was awesome, we had an adapter that allowed the cassette player to run an I Pod, our cat was rockin'. It was what it was....the best cat ski trip we could of ever hoped for. You need to be in shape and have done some recent skiing before arriving. The terrain will eat up beginners and semi-intermediates.

Customer Service:
From when we arrived to when we left the hard working friendly staff made us feel extremely comfortable. They secured a masseuse for guys who wanted/needed it. The food was creative and excellent. The lodge is a fun place to be at the end of a day. We were allowed to have fun, and the staff had fun with us. The earlier start time and length of ski day were right on. The tail gate party at the end of day 3 was a sweet shaker, and the buffalo burger lunch high in the mountains was excellent. We plan on being back next year.

Similar Products Used:
2 years at Monashee Powder previous to

Review Date
February 24, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Reviewed by: mtwilliams, Double Diamond

Price Paid: $475.00

Summary:
I organized a group trip for 12 skiers who visited Retallack on February 21-22. This is the best cat skiing outfit we have used in either Canada or the States. Retallack gave us a 10% discount because we reserved a private cat. They were in the middle of the longest drought they have had in years, but the skiing was unbelievable and we had fresh tracks all day, both days. The terrain is sick, and access is good. They had 50-60 cm of snow two weeks before we arrived and about 10 cm two days before we arrived. Most of the East and West facing slopes had great snow with little crust, and all of the North aspects held unbelievable snow. The North-facing tree runs were consistently steep and deep. We had to do a little hiking and traversing to get to some of the best lines, but it was more than worth it. We would go back in a heartbeat, and when we do, hopefully it will be a normal snow year when it pukes every three or four days up there.

Similar Products Used:
Valhalla Powdercats, Montana Backcountry Adventures, Berthoud Powder Guides, Steamboat Powdercats

Review Date
February 1, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Reviewed by: Air Sick, Double Diamond

Price Paid: $525.00 at Retallack

Summary:
First year at Retallack, but it should be called Retallica. The terrain Rocks. Unfortunately we had to fight the Tropical Punch Storm (rain and warm temps) but the crew was enjoyable and took us out and showed us a great time. The lodge is great with food to match.

Similar Products Used:
Have been to Monashee the last two years.

Review Date
January 31, 2005

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Reviewed by: Westcirque, Double Diamond

Price Paid: $525.00 at Retallack

Summary:
Jan. 2005 ...3rd year of Cat Skiing, 1st year at Retallack. It won't be our last. We had a great exp., staff was great, food was great, and the terrain we saw was sick. The trip was limited terrain-wise due to some untimely warm weather, but the guides made the best of it. We had plenty of great runs, when it could have been mediocre due to weather.

Similar Products Used:
Monashee Powder