Review Date
February 3, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Reviewed by: lockie, Advanced

Price Paid: $2772.00 at Chatter Creek

Summary:
This 2005 report is my third on Chatter Creek Showcat Skiing. With many ski areas in BC suffering from warm, rainy weather and recent reports of severe avalanche risk, we approached our annual Chatter Creek tour with grave concern. Two people backed out at the last minute.

However, Chatter Creek "came through" again and provided a marvellous powder skiing experience. Lower elevations were badly rain-crusted, but the alpine offered a huge variety of great skiing in stable conditions. Settlement and other conditions had significantly reduced the earlier avalanche risk and most of the usual Chatter Creek alpine terrain was skiable. The snow was soft and consistent with no crusting from wind or sun. We had one foggy day with variable visibility, one sunny day, one snowy day and a day of high overcast with good light. Except for the first day, visibility was good. We received about 15 cm during the tour. The Chatter News Web site (http://powder-skiing.blogspot.com) has photos from the tour.

Similar Products Used:
Island Lake Lodge near Fernie, BC

Review Date
May 15, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Reviewed by: lhbrown, Advanced

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:
Had a marvelous trip to Chatter Creek this past winter. Best yet. Had a group of 24 old friends and ski buddies. Good snow, good weather, good company, good food and good beer. Perfect!

Best part is that some of the group are starting to take their grown offspring along on these trips. Fathers and sons and daughters "smoking" the trees. It was a treat!

Weather allowed us to ski everywhere, with good snow on all aspects. However, the steeper "trees" are always the favorite.

Working on a group of 36 for next year.

If you have never skied in the backcountry and you are an intermediate or advanced skier, do yourself a favor and try cat skiing. It's much less expensive than heli-skiing. It's laid back and relaxed but you will always "ski your legs off". Expert skiers will get their fill and intermediate skiers can feel comfortable and not pushed. Go on your own or get some friends together. You'll have a ball. There are a number of good operators. I like Chatter Creek at http://www.backcountrywintervacations.com

Similar Products Used:
Island Lake Cat Skiing

Review Date
September 11, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: lockie, Advanced, from Vancouver BC Canada

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:
Chatter Creek scores well in all areas: Three owners on site lead a very personable, capable and enthusiastic staff. Hard to come away not feeling you have made new friends. Service and attention to client needs is excellent. New (winter 2003) 24-guest lodge is wonderful. Spacious, fiendly and comfortable. Food very good. Double occupancy bedrooms each have their own bathroom. Outdoor hot tub on deck with bar service. What a way to end the day! Skiing is great and snow can be fantastic. Five trips now and not one bad day. Two years ago in mid December had 150cm (really!) of fresh on a good base (you couldn't really find it, but there was good snow there before). Light as a feather! Terrain varies from mellow glacier at about 9800ft with wonderful views into the Western Rockies to all kinds of big, open alpine slopes to a great deal of sub-alpine. The tree-skiing is great and can be reasonably steep. You ski to the lodge door at about 5400ft. Typical runs are probably 1200-1500 ft (a guess). There is lots of terrain for all kinds of weather and all levels of skier or boarder.

Similar Products Used:
Island Lake Lodge in Fernie - multiple trips.

Review Date
August 20, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
4.50 of 5, 2 votes

Reviewed by: lgindl, Intermediate

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:
This place is fantastic!! Both from the terrain to the people. I went with a friend in March of 02 and we had some of the best powder snow in which I've ever skied. Helicoptrd in from Golden, nestled in the Rockies. Then cat skied to the terrain. Trees, open bowls, chutes, you name it they're got it. After a few runs, my friend was so excited she couldn't do anything else but scream with joy going through the trees. Enjoy !! P.S. They've now got a new lodge going in for the 2002/3 season..

Similar Products Used:
Mike Wigley
CMH
cat powder skiing inc