Cat skiing company adds backcountry yurt

In an effort to get their guests deeper into the backcountry of the Whitefish Range, Great Northern Powder Guides cat-skiing company has built a yurt that is set to be available this winter.

Jay Sandelin, owner of the Olney-based business, says the yurt will sleep up to 14 guests and is quite comfortable. There are lights and electricity, a stove and microwave, and double bunk beds for sleeping.

Sandelin envisions using the yurt as a stop-over point for guests who book longer trips. Last season Sandelin used his snow cats to access about 16 square miles of ski-able terrain on state-owned land along Stryker Ridge.

“With the yurt we can go into more of the zones we haven’t been before,” he said.

The PistenBully snow cats, while comfortable, aren’t exceptionally fast, Sandelin explained. A two to three hour ride would be necessary to get to the new terrain.

“I don’t want to put clients in the cat for that long,” Sandelin said.

With the yurt, guests will ski the nearby terrain on the first day, spend the night in the yurt, then go explore the new terrain the next morning.

“The yurt gives us the ability to have layover points,” Sandelin said. “The terrain back there is phenomenal. It’s open and the runs are longer. It’s going to be worth checking out.”

The logistics of getting food and supplies into the backcountry is no easy task, but Sandelin says they have fuel storage points and they’re looking to get another snow cat to help carry loads.

Guests who book overnight trips are served lunch and dinner at the yurt. The ski guides stay in a separate bunk house and a funky playhouse has been converted into a heated outhouse.

The yurt will also be used as a lunch break area for guests who book day trips. In the long term, they would like to get a permit to have a yurt even deeper in the backcountry.

Sandelin says the cat-skiing company, now in its second year, is anticipating another busy winter. Their calendar is quickly filling up with guests from as far away as Sweeden. Clients last season praised Great Northern’s price point and customer service.

“We had a good year last year, every client was blown away,” he said. “Clients aren’t coming here for incredible Alaska-like terrain. They come here for the fair price, good terrain, great snow, great cats and our guides. Everything together is a better package.”

“I never thought it would have taken off like it has.”

Their permit runs from Dec. 1 to April 1. To learn more about the Great Northern Powder Guides, visit online at www.greatnorthernpowderguides.com