Tom Key Something is happening in the world of cat skiing. In the span of a few months, two well-established operations—Great Northern Powder Guides (GNPG) in Montana and Selkirk Cat Skiing in British Columbia (See Selkirk For Sale: Own The World’s First Snowcat Ski Operation) have gone up for sale. Coincidence? Or a sign of deeper changes in the backcountry industry?
At a glance, both operations seem like powder-seeker paradises. GNPG is Montana’s only cat skiing outfit, offering deep snow and tree-lined runs in the Stillwater State Forest. Selkirk, located in the namesake mountains of British Columbia, is renowned for its steeper terrain and legendary Canadian powder. Yet, for different reasons, their owners have decided it’s time to move on.
While the sales listings paint these businesses as once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, the reality is that running a cat skiing operation is no easy feat. Beyond the dreamy images of untracked snow, these businesses operate in a high-risk, high-maintenance environment where success depends on snow conditions, land use agreements, avalanche safety, and a skilled team of guides.
So, what’s really behind these sales? And what does it take to make cat skiing work?
The Experience: What You’re Really Getting Into
The Terrain: More Than Just Powder Turns
Skiers and snowboarders looking for cat skiing aren’t your average weekend warriors. They’re willing to pay top dollar for deep snow, long runs, and terrain they can’t get at a traditional resort. Both GNPG and Selkirk deliver, but in slightly different ways.
- GNPG: Nestled in the Stillwater State Forest just north of Whitefish, Montana, GNPG operates on over 20,000 acres of rolling alpine bowls and heavily gladed terrain. This makes it ideal for intermediate to advanced skiers who love deep powder but don’t necessarily want cliff drops and no-fall zones.
- Selkirk: The Selkirk Mountains offer a more aggressive experience. With steeper terrain, chutes, and high-alpine bowls, Selkirk Cat Skiing caters to advanced riders who are comfortable making quick decisions in technical terrain.
Both locations offer deep, consistent snowfall, but terrain is only part of the equation.
Guides: The Keepers of Safety and Stoke
No matter how strong a skier or rider you are, a day in the backcountry is nothing without a good guide. These aren’t just people who know the best lines—they’re trained professionals responsible for your safety in unpredictable mountain conditions.
Every morning at GNPG and Selkirk, guides meet early for a snow safety briefing. They assess overnight snowfall, avalanche conditions, and weather forecasts. Routes are planned based on real-time risk assessments, with guides choosing lines that balance fun with safety.
- Avalanche Mitigation: Unlike resorts with controlled terrain, cat skiing operations rely on guide teams to assess and manage avalanche risk. This includes digging snow pits, testing stability, and carrying avalanche safety gear at all times.
- Emergency Preparedness: Every guest is given a beacon, probe, and shovel, but it’s the guides who are trained in advanced rescue techniques. In the event of an avalanche or injury, they need to act fast in remote terrain where help isn’t minutes away—it’s potentially hours.
- Group Management: A good guide doesn’t just keep you safe—they keep the day flowing. They watch how people ride, making sure the group sticks together and that no one is pushing beyond their limits.
This level of expertise doesn’t come cheap. Guides are highly trained and certified through organizations like the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) in the U.S. and the Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) in Canada. For an operation like GNPG or Selkirk to be successful, its guides must be some of the best in the business.
What’s Driving These Sales?
With both operations delivering top-tier backcountry experiences, why are their owners stepping away?
1. Owner Burnout and Changing Priorities
Jay and Kylanne Sandelin, owners of GNPG, have stated their primary reason for selling is retirement. Running a cat skiing business isn’t just about powder days—it’s a year-round commitment. From maintaining snowcats to securing state land leases, the behind-the-scenes work can take its toll.
2. The Rising Costs of Doing Business
While cat skiing operations don’t rely on expensive chairlifts, they have their own set of costly logistics.
- Insurance: A major financial burden. Backcountry skiing carries inherent risks, and liability coverage for operations like GNPG and Selkirk isn’t cheap.
- Snowcat Maintenance: These machines are essential for accessing remote terrain, but they require constant upkeep. Each snowcat costs upwards of $300,000 new, and repairs can run into the tens of thousands annually.
- Permitting and Land Use Fees: GNPG operates on state-leased land, while Selkirk runs on Canadian public lands. If state or federal policies shift, lease agreements could become more costly or restrictive.
3. The Political and Regulatory Climate
GNPG’s location on state land in Montana has largely insulated it from federal land management policies, but that doesn’t mean it’s immune to changes at the state level. Recent federal cutbacks in the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service (See Collateral Damage: How Federal Job Cuts Are Endangering Mountain Sports) have raised concerns about potential staffing reductions in state-managed lands as well.
Fewer land managers could mean slower permitting processes, increased red tape, or less oversight in crucial areas like avalanche forecasting. For a business dependent on well-maintained public land access, regulatory uncertainty is always a factor.
The Future of Cat Skiing: Where Does This Go From Here?
Does This Mean Cat Skiing Is in Trouble?
Not necessarily. The market for backcountry experiences is still strong, and ski resort overcrowding is pushing more people toward off-piste adventures.
However, owning and operating a cat skiing business is no simple investment. Success depends on a combination of strong snowfall, experienced guides, and sound business strategy.
Could These Operations Expand Into Summer Tourism?
Many backcountry operations are diversifying with summer activities like mountain biking and hiking tours. While GNPG and Selkirk have focused solely on winter operations, a future owner could explore turning them into year-round adventure hubs. With mountain biking booming, especially in BC and Montana, expanding beyond ski season could be a smart move.
Conclusion
The simultaneous sales of GNPG and Selkirk are less about the decline of cat skiing and more about the challenges of running a backcountry business. These are operations that thrive on snow, skill, and smart management. They also require deep commitment—both financially and personally.
For skiers and snowboarders, the hope is that whoever buys these businesses keeps the spirit of adventure alive. Because in a world of mega-resorts and crowded lift lines, the untouched powder of cat skiing remains one of the last true escapes.
And if you’ve ever had the privilege of dropping into a perfectly spaced glade after stepping out of a snowcat, you know exactly why that matters.
