Chatter Creek Snowcat, 2/2-5/08

[Tony Crocker]

Feb.2:
It looks like we're in for a great 4 days here. it's only been snowing a couple inches a day recently, but it's -13C up high with no wind, so the snow is light and fluffy everywhere, even south exposures.

Saturday we went into Chatter's highest terrain, which has not been skied for awhile due to visibility. Three drop points were over 9,000 feet, higher than my trips to Wiegele and TLH heliskiing. The Vertebrae Glacier was quite similar to last Feb. 9 at Wiegele, long runs over 2K each down to the tree line below 7,000. The last drop up there to head back toward the lodge had the deepest snow even though it faced south.

I never saw the Vertebrae Glacier area last year; Chatter has a completely separate alpine area south of the lodge overlooking the Columbia River. We had a couple of tree runs too, and of course the powder was great there also.

 

[Tony Crocker]

Feb. 3:
Sunday we skied mostly in the Kitchen Range, which is the same alpine area over looking the Columbia River that was wind affected on our first day last year. Being farther west and closer to the river the snow was twice as deep as in the Vertebrae Range. So if Saturday was like Weigele last February, Sunday was as good in snow quality as Chugach Powder Guides last March.

Our cat also had Chatter's professional photographer. I bought the DVD, but it will not load to Chatter's computers that are internet accessible. Ben Solish and Adam are here with me, and Ben has a laptop, but the wireless network was not working that day.

Even amateur pics aren't bad on a day like this.

 

[Tony Crocker]

Feb. 4:
Today started a bit colder, -20C. Sometimes I might have problems with this, but when you're riding up the hill in the snowcat it's no big deal. We started in a section of the Kitchen Range farther east than yesterday. Snow is still excellent, probably in between the other 2 days in depth.

Weather started with scattered cloud and became steadily more overcast. We had a very flat light run about 2 PM, so spent the rest of the day in trees. Snow is still great there, skiing as low as 4,900 feet.

There is a depth hoar layer below the 80cm of powder we're skiing, so they are understandably being a bit conservative about skiing steep exposed terrain. Avy conditions are not good in western Canada this season, which is why Delirium Dive at Sunshine isn't open yet.

Still no wireless to load pics yet.

 

[Tony Crocker]

Feb 5:
Lightly snowing all day with flat light, so all skiing was in the trees. Snow is of course still great. Temps warmed up to -10C or so. A shortened day to make sure the heli flights back to Golden airport could get done.

We were thus fortunate to arrive at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise by 6PM. I hadn't stayed there before but had been there for 2 dinners, one of which was probably the highlight of the ill-fated January 2005 trip after the Tropical Punch.

I will thank Geoff again for sending me the Wine Advocate article before last September's Chile trip. The Post's wine list had that article's highest rated Carmenere, which we enjoyed with our dinner.

 

[Tony Crocker]

My pics finally added to the first 3 days' reports.

 

[salida]

Boy oh boy. That looks really freakin fun!

 

[ChrisC]

There are some really nice photos in here.

 

[jasoncapecod]

it appears to be low angle or is that just the angle of the pics?

 

[jamesdeluxe]

it appears to be low angle or is that just the angle of the pics?

Even if it is, I wouldn't care. Please don't ruin it with a pic of everyone romping around in the hot-tub together.

Is this one of those NASJA junkets?

 

[Patrick]

it appears to be low angle or is that just the angle of the pics?

I had the same impression. If that is the case, one wonder you were impressed with that last run at El Arpa last September.

Even if it is, I wouldn't care. Please don't ruin it with a pic of everyone romping around in the hot-tub together.

James, you're on a roll. :lol:

 

[Pajarito-Bred]

Wowwwwww, sign me up for next year! or the year after.....
It's pretty scary to reserve a year in advance and take your chances with the weather, though.
But, the key to being in the right place at the right time to just spend a lot of time hanging out in the right place! After fighting the hordes for comparitively teeny scraps of untracked at places like Steamboat and Vail, I'm saving up for my next 'cat trip. I've been cat-skiing in Colorado north of Steamboat, and at Irwin Lodge near Crested Butte, which I don't think is operational any more.
Photos unfortunately for some reason take some of the buzz out of the steep story. "Look at this chute I skiied, honey!" he said "That doesn't look any steeper than Bambi at Taos" She said.

I've done some desktop research on where to go in BC, there's about 20 operations, some combine cat-skiing with heli, some are more board-oriented, finding a lodge with compatible guests appears to be a big part of the decision on where to go. Of course this site is a great source for that kind of beta. Thanx Tony, for the great pics!

 

[Tony Crocker]

They were conservative about steep slopes for snow stability reasons. But you're not going to go waist deep and keep moving if it's all that flat.

You're at these places for the pow, not for extreme terrain. The steep skiing is going to happen only after the snow has settled some and they are comfortable with stability. Adam should comment on this because we had the first day face shots at Chugach Powder Guides last March, then 3 days later he got to ski some sustained steeps. But I think it's generally accepted that Alaska snow has better stability than the Canadian Rockies.

For those of you who remember Lockie Brown's Chatter Creek postings from 2004 and 2005, I'm in his former group. They occupy 2 cats and are all solid skiers.

I think Chatter is fairly unique among cat ski operators. That's why I'm settling in there.
1) They have a colder climate and higher altitude and thus escaped one of the most widespread and severe rain events in British Columbia history in 2005.
2) They have far more alpine terrain than any other cat operator. The tree skiing may not be quite as good as Island Lake or some of the Selkirk places, but it's probably 80% as good.
3) Total terrain is the largest. It's hard to imagine it could get tracked out.
4) One would think that the climate would be dry in the Rockies, but they are on the western side, and more importantly far enough north that storms get around the north end of the Selkirks to dump an adequate amount of snow. The new Mica Heli Guides have the permit area immediately north of Chatter Creek, and the media buzz there is very high also.

Chatter is not cheap at about $800/day, though I would not expect it to be in that remote location, 25 minutes by helicopter or well over two hours overland from civilization. But other B.C. snowcat lodges charge very similar prices.

With heliskiing the picture is a bit different now. At current exchange rates, Alaska is probably 60-70% the price of most Canadian heli operators, and given the quality we saw last March I'd be hard pressed to recommend anywhere else for a week in the heli. If they only flew half of the week it would still be worth it IMHO.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

I was just meditating on these pix. :shock:

Not sure I can justify $800/day for anything. But the fact that someone who lives in SLC is willing to pony up the shekels for the experience speaks to its quality (as do the photos)... or there is the possibility that the person in question isn't making enough of an effort in Utah?

 

[Tony Crocker]

Joan is 66 years old and a very solid skier. I will be delighted if I'm skiing like her at that age.

Cat skiing is a luxurious way to ski powder. No competition for first tracks. Much less effort involved once you have some powder experience. You don't care if it's cold because you're riding up the hill in an enclosed and if needed heated vehicle. I hope to be doing this trip for many more years.

If you retire to a place like SLC and stay in shape you will improve to or maintain a good level of ski ability due to all the mileage you get. admin could mention some examples he has seen also.

 

[tirolerpeter]

It was nice to meet you today Tony while skiing with Admin's crew. I retired to SLC so that I could get in as many days on the slopes as possible with the minimum amount of travel time. (My home is 16 miles from the Tram.) Between acclimating to the altitude, and the number of powder days we have enjoyed, I am finally starting to approach the level of skiing that I dreamed about all those years of managing to squeeze in from 10 - 16 days. Not only were those too few days, but they were too far apart to develop any consistent skills. While the snow was generally a bit firm today, Admin and Bob Dangerous did manage to find us some soft lines. They really are a great team to follow! BTW, your pictures and TR are fantastic.

 

[oldefarms]

Could anyone give me a comparision of Chatter Creek vs.Island lake
and Chatter Creek vs. Big Red Cats.

I am specifically referring to the difficulty of the terrain.
I am not ready for any Waren Miller movies or TGR films

Thanks

 

[Tony Crocker]

I compared with Island Lake in response to my first trip last year. http://www.firsttracksonline.com/boards ... php?t=2752. My answers would be the same now.