Professional backcountry ski guiding and snowcat access to backcountry yurts in the Mono Lakes region of the Eastern Sierra.
“After a decade in the ski industry with experience from New Zealand to Alaska and everywhere in-between we realized;
We love taking people skiing. We love the Sierra Nevada. We love our cozy yurts ready to welcome you after a epic day in the mountains. Can’t wait to share this incredibly unique experience with you!”
This is a unique experience, different from any other guided backcountry snowcat skiing. Our guides will take you uphill with a hybrid of mechanical and human-power to help you experience the best skiing in our 9,000 acres of terrain. This approach allows us to ski more vertical than you could possibly get solely on foot, while still feeling the sweet satisfaction of "earning your turns".
It’s the purest way to enjoy backcountry skiing and our guides are here to help keep you safe while we chase powder. This is an experience for the skier or rider who wants to explore the mountains in the most unfiltered way.
Afterwards, your group will stay at one of our two fully-equipped backcountry yurts. Our staff cooks up delicious meals for dinner, breakfast and your lunch for the next day.
Come ski terrain like the Green Creek Zone (pictured here) it has multiple chutes descending almost 3000` to the valley floor. The best cold powder can be skied here in January from the alpine right through the tree runs out of the photo lookers left.
Don`t forget use the code SKIMOREPOW at the checkout for 10% off trips in January
#HighSierraSnowcat #CatSki #YurtSki #BackcountrySki #BigChutes
We think that Black Friday should last a whole month! Use code SKIMOREPOW at the checkout to get 10% off trips throughout the month of January!
Why wait for spring corn when there`s cold powder all January! Grab your group of 4 or 8 and book now to experience cold smoke in the Eastern Sierra. That means $495 per person for groups of 4 or $450 per person for groups of 8.
#HighSierraSnowcat #SkiCalifornia #SkiMammoth #CatSki #backcountryski
Meet the crew!
Mike grew up in Pennsylvania where he learned to ski on the icy slopes of the Northeast. He has been spending most winters in the Lake Tahoe area and his summers are spent chasing rivers around the Pacific Northwest. Mike learned to guide while studying Outdoor Adventure Education at Feather River College and Southern Oregon University.
We’re pumped to have Mike on our guide team!
"Skiing is my greatest passion, I am fortunate to get to call the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains home." -Mike Mourar aka MOW POW
#HighSierraSnowcat #HighSierraSnowcatandYurt #justgoskiing #skicalifornia #localguides
Take your 4-pack out of the lift line and into the backcountry this year!
We understand that it can be difficult to rally a crew of 8 ski bums for our standard private trips. That`s why we`ve opened our bookings to Semi-Private groups of 4.
Grab three friends and come out with HSS for a single-day or overnight trip, at a rate of $2,200 per day. Enjoy a 4:1 guest to guide ratio with a private guide dedicated to your group. This product is Semi-Private with the opportunity for another group of four to book the same day as you.
#catski #skicalifornia #backcountryskiing ##skimorepow
THIS IS JANUARY! January at High Sierra Snowcat means cold snow and more options for high quality steep powdery cat laps on terrain that warms up later in the year.
#backcountryski #catski #skicalifornia #highsierrasnowcat #skimorepow
Meet the crew!
Sarah grew up ski racing on the East Coast before moving out West to chase big lines and deep powder. As a Mammoth Lakes resident of nine years and a backcountry enthusiast, Sarah has an in-depth knowledge of local skiing and snowpack. Often chasing the snow, she has spent multiple seasons in the southern hemisphere in Argentina, Chile and New Zealand. As both a ski instructor and ski patroller, she has worked hard developing her well-rounded skill set and her smooth, stylish skiing. Sarah is excited for a great season of high quality pow turns with the team as a guide & cat operator for her first season with HSS.
We have worked with Sarah for two seasons ski patrolling in New Zealand and are stoked to work with her on her home turf.
#HighSierraSnowcat #HighSierraSnowcatandYurt #justgoskiing #skicalifornia #localguides
Meet Jamie Callanan, our Lead Road Builder and Cat Driver (High Sierra Snowcat’s very first!
Jamie’s lived in Mammoth Lakes for 20 years now. He loves spending time with his wife and two children, Laurel and Lundy. Jamie enjoys skiing, hiking, playing hockey and disc golf.
Jamie operated snowcats for Mammoth Mountain for 17 years. “Even after all that time, it still impresses me what snowcats are able to do. I am looking forward to being able to build new roads that will get skiers higher up the mountains, which will mean more runs and more fun for everyone.”
We met Jamie in the Virginia Lakes parking lot and feel lucky to have him as a part of the team! Having a full-time dedicated driver is going to get you more powder turns! Plus, trust us, he’ll leave you smiling after a ride in the front seat.
#justgoskiing #catski #backcountryski #skimammoth #skicalifornia
Meet the crew!
Chris started with HSS in 2021 after moving to the Eastern Sierra from north Lake Tahoe, lured by bigger mountains and longer ski descents. A lifetime snowboarder and longtime splitboarder, Chris has spent years climbing and riding lines in the High Sierra and knows our operating area well. He has spent time working with Ski Patrol in West Virginia and Colorado, and is currently working towards his AMGA Ski Guide Certification.
During the summer and fall months, he spends as much time as possible in the mountains, working as a backcountry hutkeeper, trail race director, and backcountry running guide. Sharing time and meaningful experiences in the outdoors with others guides his professional life. As an avid mountain enthusiast across all 4 seasons, Chris has visited the summit of over 250 Sierra peaks.
#HighSierraSnowcat #HighSierraSnowcatandYurt #justgoskiing #skicalifornia #localguides
So are we cat-skiing or ski-touring?
Really we are constantly combining both which makes High Sierra Snowcat unique! Some of our terrain is straightforward, allowing you to get dropped off and picked up by snowcat. But to access some of our steeper terrain this photo really sums up the flow. A high cat-drop with a short hike to the goods! Sometimes a short skin might be required instead of hiking. Such as the 20-minute skin to reach the north facing, mega classic Green Creek Couloir!
As we work with new techniques, such as snow-fencing in the alpine, we aim to be downhill only in the future. But for now bring your skins, and enjoy the big mountains of California’s Eastern Sierra!
#justgoskiing #skicalifornia #catski #backcountryski #yurt
As winter nears, we’ve all got powder turns on our minds.
Trips are selling quickly and we are officially more than HALFWAY to being sold out this season! Our permit with the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest allows us to bring a set number of guests into the backcountry each season and those spots fill up real fast, despite there being plenty of space available on the calendar.
Book now to reserve your crew’s High Sierra Snowcat and Yurt experience!
#justgoskiing #skicalifornia #catskiing #backcountryskiing #yurt
We’re getting close! Midwinter is our favorite time of year at Virginia Lakes smashing powder in our easy to access cat terrain!
Due to its east aspect, January is the best time to get the maximum amount of deep powder turns in the trees! While spring lines are great too this is certainly an un-beatable feeling!
#highsierrasnowcat #skicalifornia #snowcatskiing #skimammoth #backcountryskiing
What do you get from a trip with High Sierra Snowcat?
Our team of highly experienced and qualified guides are here to use the mechanical advantage of our Snowcats combined with a brief bit of skinning to get you to some of the most epic lines in the Eastern Sierra. After skiing all day, our trips include overnight lodging in our luxury yurt. Each guest will have a double bed with linens provided, a fun hangout space, room to dry your gear, and a sauna tent to unwind before another day in the backcountry! Our chef-designed menu provides your group with restaurant-quality apres and meals, along with snacks to carry to carry in your bag so you never go hungry.
Our trips cost $4000 per day for a group of 8 people, or $500 per person. If you don`t have a group of 8 skiers or want to make some friends, we have trips open to individual enrollment in January and February!
We get many questions about our `price increase`, so we`d love to discuss that with you! We have not changed the per-person pricing from last season ($3000 per day for 6 skiers), we have simply added two more spaces to the trip. To compare and give some perspective, a private lesson at Mammoth Mountain is nearly $1380 per person per day. If you look into the one other Snowcat Skiing operator in California, although they offer an amazing product, you`ll find that they ask for a higher price for a day trip without any meals or lodging!
We are proud of the experience that we provide and hope this clears any questions about the value of our trips.
Book now and secure your dates for this season! #highsierrasnowcat #skicalifornia #skimammoth #catskiing #skitouring
You`ve asked and we delivered! We have opened a 2-Day and 3-Day trip to individual bookings! Make some friends, ski some pow and experience the best of the High Sierra!
3-Day Trip: January 12th - 14th
2-Day Trip: February 16th and 17th
Visit our link in the bio to book now! #skicalifornia #catskiing #skimammoth #backcountryskiing #skimorepow
Ever wonder what our guides are up to over the summer? We’ll for Lead Guide and Owner Drew it’s more powder smashing! Drew works as the Snow Safety Director for Mt Olympus in New Zealand and has been busy working to provide powder to the people!
Want to smash some powder? Let our team of highly qualified powder professionals and AMGA certified guides get you in some good snow in the Sierra! Book now for prime dates! There are only a handful of weekends left in February!
#skimorepow #catski #skicalifornia #skinewzealand #highsierrasnowcat
Bookings are now open for the 2024 Season! Come join us for good times, powder snow, and steep and deep terrain for Snowcat Assisted Backcountry Skiing with the Eastern Sierra`s only mechanized operation!
Link in Bio
We’ve been busy in the off-season here at High Sierra Snowcat and can’t wait to show you the work we’ve done:
1. Improved Cat Access: We are working with temporary seasonal snow-fencing to make sure that you can get to the best zones on a thick or thin year with a windy or calm day. We’ll get you to the goods with less walking and more time spent doing the fun part!
2. Two Guides and Dedicated Snowcat Driver on every trip! Exactly what is sounds like! More options for things snowcat laps and group splits on your next adventure with us!
3. Upgrades to the Guest Yurt with double bunk beds, new bedding, new flooring!
4. Each guest will be equipped with a radio, guides will have satellite tracking devices on at all times, and new brand new VHF radios.
5. A new menu to take backcountry dining to the next level!
6. New sauna for next season so that you can unwind after a big day in the mountains!
Don’t worry the ski experience is still the same thing that you’ve come to love!
#highsierrasnowcat #highsierrasnowcatandyurt #justgoskiing #easternsierranevada #skicalifornia
With this incredible snowpack, our yurts got to stay out much longer than usual. Finally got a chance to take the yurts down and get ‘em in storage for the summer!
The process was just as easy as this reel makes it look 😉 Just kidding, we couldn’t have done it without the help of our friends @leveyez & @anzook
#yurtlife #yurt #highsierrasnowcat #skicalifornia #summer
The cats might be put away! But we’re still getting out to play! The corn skiing after this record year has been amazing. Let’s hope that next year let’s us play just as long!
Keep an eye on your emails bookings should open very soon! #skicalifornia #highsierrasnowcat #yurtlife #justgoskiing #summerfun
Meet the Crew!
Tessa is our new Operations Manger and a Guide here at High Sierra Snowcat! Tessa comes to us with a degree in Tourism Management and a Minor in Business from CSU along with 8 years of working in the outdoor industry!
You’ll probably interact with her via email or driving a snowcat or wearing one of her many hats with HSS! She is a passionate backcountry skier and recently began her pathway into guiding. She is looking forward to smashing more powder with everyone this season! When not on skis, Tessa chases the water down to the river where you can find her raft guiding.
Fun Fact: Tessa learned to backcountry ski in Alaska and in the beginning had more days on a glaciers than skiing in the trees, which she now loves!
#highsierrasnowcat #highsierrasnowcatandyurt #justgoskiing #easternsierranevada #skicalifornia
High Sierra Snowcat is officially under new ownership! Meet Drew Layman, an AMGA Certified Ski Guide with over a decade of experience guiding backcountry skiing. There is nothing Drew loves more than sliding down snow in any form. With a focus on safety and seriously good times as we can’t wait to welcome you to the new High Sierra Snowcat!
Springtime skiing in the Eastern Sierra has drawn Drew to Eastern Sierra for years and he is taking the plunge with High Sierra Snowcat! In the spirit of chasing snow, Drew also works as the Snow Safety Officer for Mt Olympus in New Zealand, as a heli-ski guide in Alaska with Majestic Heli, and has his own company Fall Line Expeditions leading trips to the Himalayas. When not on skis (which is rare) Drew enjoys long singletrack rides and splashy whitewater!
Head over to our website to learn more about Drew and exciting news for the upcoming season.
#highsierrasnowcat #highsierrasnowcatandyurt #justgoskiing #easternsierranevada #skicalifornia
Virginia Lakes Road status: OPEN
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Drew Layman
drew@highsierrasnowcat.com
Tessa Andrzejczak
tessa@highsierrasnowcat.com
Call Us: (760) 206-3793
High Sierra Snowcat & Yurt operates under a special use permit with the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and Stanislaus National Forest.
