Yurt-Based Guided Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding
High Sierra Snowcat and Yurt offers a unique experience, different from any other backcountry cat skiing operation. Our yurts are situated in the remote Virginia Lakes area with prime access to great skiing and riding in our backyard. To get to the yurts, we shuttle our guests and their gear with our snowcats. Ski guiding, meals and snacks, and yurt lodging are included in your trip. See below for a typical guided trip itinerary.
Improvements Under New Ownership:
More Cat-Access!
One of our biggest priorities as the new owners of High Sierra Snowcat is to focus on the mechanical advantage our snowcats offer. We are working with a new team to improve the road system and create more opportunities to use the cat throughout the day. This means you get more skiing for less skinning, sometimes even no skinning required! Along with this, some of your favorite zones will see improvements with things like temporary snow fencing to catch snow for entrances and streamlining the road system.
Additional Guide on Every Trip
Starting this winter, 3 guides will be on every trip. This allows for more flexibility to do group splits; for example, do 3 people want to take cat-laps while 5 hike to Castle Peak? Now you can! This leaves one guide dedicated to driving the snowcat at all times to take advantage of our improved snowcat roads.
New Sauna Tent
Nothing is better than a hot sauna to relax your muscles after a full day of skiing. Coming this winter a new platform sauna tent will be available to guests right next door to the yurt.
Renovated Guest Yurt
We are renovating the guest yurt to accommodate up to 8 guests in full beds with fresh bedding and cozy comforters provided. Updated furniture, lighting, and a new layout will make you eager to stay another night.
Safety Improvements
We understand the importance of communication in the backcountry. For this reason, every guest will be equipped with a radio to communicate with their guides. Additionally, we have new VHF radios and satellite tracking for guides in the field. Lastly, with Starlink Internet at the Yurts, we will have additional weather forecasting tools at our disposal.
Going forward all guides will meet the minimum certification level of a Pro I Avalanche Certification and a Wilderness First Responder. All guides will be working towards completion of an AMGA Ski Guide Course and Pro II within two years of working with High Sierra Snowcat.
Backcountry Gourmet Meals
We have been working with local chefs to develop a new menu. You can look forward to the highest standard of backcountry cuisine. Think more along the lines of surf and turf or fondue instead of standard camping fare.