Anyone Catski in San Juans?

[koreshot]

Anyone have any experience with cat skiing operations in the San Juans in South CO? Heading out next week for 4 days. Going to hit up CB first and then head over to Silverton. I was thinking about getting in a day of cat skiing but wasn't sure if it was worth the $220 that El Diablo and $250 that San Juan Cat Ski charge. Any input would be helpful. The operation/vertical/challenge/terrain/snow conditions, stuff like that.

Having been to Silverton, I am pretty stocked to try cat skiing in the area. The San Juans are amazing mountains, even if the crazy elevation makes me suffer.

 

[Marc]

Alright, money bags, thanks for gloating.

 

[pepperdawg]

My only experience in riding the San Juans is 3 days at Wolf Creek a few years ago, but can tell you that 1) they are some of the most beautiful mountains I have ever seen. 2) The snow is very light with very lo moisture content similar to Oootah snow = phenominal pow. Enjoy!!!!! Post pics!!!

 

[koreshot]

Alright, money bags, thanks for gloating.

Just wait till I post my TR - photoshop all kinds of powder and face shots in there... :lol:

Actually going into major marital debt as a result of these trips. For every trip out west I take, I sign myself up for 5 days of drywall work in the house.

The good thing is, my buddy lives out there, so free car and lots of free lodging with his friends and family. The flight and the day cat skiing are really rough on the pocket though.

 

[AHM]

I might reconsider

Koreshot: I have skied Silverton as well, but neither cat op close by. I have skied at Monarch's cat op however (was actually their first paying customer in 1990). Both of the cat ops you mention do not feature the vert of Silverton, nor the rawness of the Silverton terrain. The vert at San Juan is about 800 - 1000 ft based on friends that have skied there. El Diablo maybe a bit more, but nothing outrageous. Most cat terrain is not real steep unless you get more into BC. Some BC cat ops like Valhalla, White Grizzley, cater to expert skiers and feature realitvely solid expert terrain (cornices, open alpine, great tree lines, some but not a lot of couliors). Island lake also features pretty solid terrain. Since ya gotta do drywall for the deal, I hit up a solid cat op and grab 3 or 4 days worth. Have fun.