Aerial view of a lone rider laying a powder track down a steep fluted spine face in Canada – Snowbusters heli and cat skiing trips

Helicopter & snowcat access

HELI & CAT SKIING.

No skin track, no shared lift line — just a helicopter or a snowcat putting you on top of untouched terrain, run after run. Our heli and cat skiing trips access the deepest, most remote powder in Alaska, British Columbia, and the Alps, with a guide who knows exactly where the snow is holding and exactly how to get you the most vertical of your life.

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5: Heli & Cat Zones
Max 4: Riders Per Group
1,000m+: Vertical Per Run
Most: Trips Include DOWN Ski Demo

Who we are

GUIDES WHO KNOW WHERE THE SNOW IS

Heli and cat skiing isn't about finding untouched terrain once — it's about finding it again, run after run, all day. Our guides work the same tenures every season, which means they know exactly which aspect is holding powder, which face the wind has loaded, and which run to save for last light.

Every trip is led by a UIAGM-certified mountain guide with years on that specific tenure. They brief the pilot, call the landing zones, and make the terrain calls in real time — so you spend the day skiing, not deliberating.

We cap every group at four riders. Small enough to maximize your runs per day, big enough to share the ride back up and the stories at the lodge.

What we do

THREE WAYS WE BUILD YOUR TRIP

Heli and cat skiing are our most terrain-intensive trips — maximum vertical, minimum waiting, and a guide who already knows every drainage in the tenure.

01: Single-Tenure Lodge TripsGolden, Chugach, Revelstoke — you base out of one lodge all week, with your guide and pilot adjusting zones daily to snowpack, weather, and your group's pace.
02: Maximum Vertical, Managed RiskEvery landing zone and every run is chosen in real time by a guide reading the snowpack — so you get the vertical without the guesswork.
03: Weather-Flexible SchedulingHeli and cat days depend on visibility and stability. We build weather days into every itinerary so a storm delay never costs you a day of skiing.

Explore Backcountry

Accursed MountainsFeb 6 - Feb 13 · 7 days

The Accursed
Cat-Ski
Expedition

Conquer Kosovo's Hidden Powder Paradise: Catski & Freeride Touring in the Accursed Mountains! Discover Europe's best-kept skiing secret in Kosovo's Accursed Mountains (Bjeshkët e Namuna): snowcat access to remote high terrain, afternoon touring into untouched powder, six full riding days and full board at Gacaferi Guest House.

Explore Backcountry

Shar MountainsJan 23 - Jan 30 · 7 days

The Shar
Mountain
Shift

Cat-Ski & Freeride Touring: The Ultimate Shar Mountains Powder Escape Unleash your freeride spirit on Snowbusters’ thrilling cat-ski expedition in Macedonia’s Shar Mountains. Experience two full days of adrenaline-pumping cat-skiing on untouched powder, followed by four days of guided freeride touring with cat-assis...

Frequently asked

BEFORE YOU BOOK A HELI OR CAT TRIP.

What's the difference between heli and cat skiing?: A helicopter gets you to remote alpine terrain fast, with a bigger price tag and more vertical per run. A snowcat is slower and stays within one tenure, but costs less and still delivers 8,000–12,000m of vertical a day. Some of our lodges offer both.
What fitness level do I need?: You should be a confident, in-control skier or rider comfortable in ungroomed, variable snow all day. Heli and cat terrain is steeper and more physical than resort skiing — tell us your level when booking and we'll confirm it's the right fit.
What happens if the weather doesn't cooperate?: Every itinerary is built with buffer days. If the helicopter or cat is grounded, we shift to guided resort or sidecountry days until conditions clear — you never lose your trip to a single bad-weather day.
Is the DOWN Ski Demo really included?: On most trips, yes — fitted to big-mountain powder conditions by your guide. Demo skis are limited, so ask us about availability on your trip.
Is avalanche safety training included?: Yes. Every trip includes a full avalanche safety briefing and beacon check before the first run. Guides carry airbag, beacon, shovel, and probe, and every landing zone is chosen with the current snowpack in mind.
Can I book a private or custom trip?: Yes — private groups and fully custom heli or cat weeks are available at most of our lodges. Tell us your zone, dates, and group size and we'll build the trip around you.

Ski demo partnership

DOWN DEMO INCLUDED.

Most Snowbusters trips and courses include access to the DOWN SKI DEMO — the revolutionary way to find your perfect ski match. Stop guessing which skis perform for your style and terrain. Experience them firsthand with expert guidance before you commit.

Test Before You Invest

Try the full DOWN lineup on real terrain — powder, steep, trees, groomers. No guesswork. The right ski is the one you've actually ridden.

Expert-Guided Selection

Our guides know the DOWN range inside out. They'll watch you ski and point you to the model that fits your style, weight, and the day's terrain.

Included on Most Trips

On most trips the DOWN Demo isn't an add-on — it's baked into the programme. Demo skis are limited, so ask us about availability on your trip. Show up, ski demo skis, make an informed decision. That's the Snowbusters difference.

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