Steamboat Powdercats

Steamboat Powdercats offers backcountry snowcat skiing and riding trips on Buffalo Pass in Steamboat We are blessed with powder first and foremost.

Colorado is one of North America's premier skiing and snowboarding destinations. At the pinnacle of these experiences in a snowcat skiing trip with one of the 10+ operations that exist in the state. Epic terrain, abundant snow and a fully guided experience makes snowcat skiing a bucket list adventure for most skiers and riders. Steamboat Powdercats was founded in 1983 near the friendly resort town

in northern Colorado of Steamboat Springs. Buffalo Pass is just 20-min north of Steamboat Springs and is annually one of Colorado's deepest snowpacks. The Steamboat Ski Area and its trademark Champagne Powder is nearby. Every year guests from all over the country and the world make Steamboat and Steamboat Powdercats a fantastic ski and snowboarding destination visit. What sets a trip to Steamboat Powdercats apart from the other snowcat operations in Colorado and North America? Typically, Buffalo Pass holds one of Colorado's deepest snowpacks thus providing our guests with dependable fresh snow even during times of drought. Secondly, the terrain on Buffalo Pass is a mixed variety of open glades, meadows and glades interspersed with world class aspen and fir forests. All of the terrain is below tree line which allows us a respite from the wind which can destroy the powder like conditions. There are north, south, east and west facing terrain aspects that allows us the opportunity to search out and find good, fresh snow even when Mother Nature isn't looking out for us. Beyond all that, we have enough terrain to satisfy a 3 snowcat operation. This gives us the daily opportunity to take an Intermediate, Advanced or Expert (Level I, II, III) tour out most everyday. By pre separating guests during the reservation process, we pride ourselves on getting the 10 guests in the snowcat matched with others that fit their ability level and terrain that they can skiing at a safe level. Our trips are all inclusive. Not only do we guarantee 8 runs per day but we provide 3 guides per cat with 2 guides on the snow with each group. All the gear is provided including powder skis and snowboards, poles, beacon, shovel and probe. We provide shuttle to and from lodging, a light breakfast, lunch, water and snacks in the cat and an apres ski party and finally we have a photographer on the snow with you who will capture the moment and we provide you with low resolution, social media images for free (high res images cost a nominal fee). Dates fill up quick. We start booking trips in April and we have a very loyal clientele who come back every year so advanced reservations are most of the time highly recommended. We have an online booking system on our website at www.steamboatpowdercats.com/reserve/.

07/17/2026

We are excited to announce that our 2026/27 season is officially open for bookings! Our online calendar is now live for new guests to make reservations. While we are already about 85% booked with returning guests, we still have spots available, so be sure to secure your seats soon.

Additionally, we are hiring a full-time snowcat ski guide to join our team for the upcoming season.

Please help us spread the word to any qualified individuals. To apply, candidates should:

- Review the full job description on our website at
- Email their resume and cover letter.

Our goal is to finalize the hiring process by November 1. Full details on our website here: https://www.steamboatpowdercats.com/2026/07/16/backcountry-ski-guide-job/.

04/04/2026

Finally, a nice powder day for us to play in. 12-15” of new snow reminds us of what we love best: untracked pow, good friends, Mother Nature’s bliss, and experiential adventures make us feel alive and satisfied.

03/18/2026

With much consternation and soul searching, we have made the decision to shut down our snowcats for the 25/26 season. After sustained 60 mph winds over the weekend that scoured the terrain, plus the Heat Dome that is descending upon us now, and no snow in the forecast, we feel it makes sense for us to put a fork in it and move on to greener pastures.

This season will go down in the record books in many ways, but not in the ways we typically like to preach about. We usually get to shout out the 100" months, the 15+" powder days, the best, most, and epic, but this year, not so much.

We do wish to thank everyone who visited us this year, and to those guests who wanted to come but now can't, plus our amazing staff, partners, and friends who have helped us create something very special. The positivity, love, and joy you all bring to the experience that is a day of snowcat skiing on Buffalo Pass is much appreciated. This season, more than ever, we felt it, and we will carry on and be back next winter.

Until then, keep living large, enjoy every moment, and send those cold-weather April and May vibes as our mountains, rivers, and communities here in the West need it more than ever.

03/15/2026

Routt Powder Riders is hosting a unique snowmobile event in partnership with Grand, Routt, and Jackson counties Search & Rescue, Tyler’s Backcountry Awareness, Friends of CAIC, CPW, and CSR. It’s a team challenge to practice avy and backcountry snowmobile skills - aka an “Easter Egg” beacon hunt along with a few other fun challenges. It’s an ideal chance to practice avy skills with riding groups plus a super fun day to spend on the snow with friends - especially with such a tough snow year and other events being cancelled. Register teams here ($25/person):
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/snowmobile-easter-egg-hunt