Ski operator hopes to expand on backcountry ski project near New Hazelton

The lure of new adventure could be in the future of Northwest ski enthusiasts
this winter if an application for a Cat-Ski operation near New Hazelton is granted

With winter just looming with but a few calendar page flips, those on the North Coast looking for a different ski experience might want to keep an eye on an unusual listing, with a project in the Hazeltons looking to expand their footprint into the back country snowshed.

Skeena Cat Skiing Incorporate currently has an application under review with the Ministry of Farming, Natural Resources and Industry, seeking to hold tenure and expand the time of that tenure over a patch of the back country with access through the Suskwa Forest Service Road.

The venture offers up something a little different than the usual trek to Shames, Ski Smithers and delivers the opportunity to ski areas that few have the chance to explore.

The ski operation is through what is known as Cat-Ski, part of the growing theme of adventure tourism which takes skiers off into the back country.

As Skeena Cat Skiing describes their current operations,  a snow cat transports their customers within the ski terrain, travelling along a road system of forestry and snow roads to the upper elevation points with the tenure area.

Customers are dropped off at the upper elevations, ski down guided, untracked powder runs to a pre-determined pick up point. The Snow cat then picks up the guests and transports them to another part of the tenure area.

The preparation for the season typically gets underway in mid November, with the earliest skiing expected by January 1st depending on snow conditions, the season usually lasts into the first week of April.

The long term goal as part of their tenure application is to provide access to the area for 24 guests per day through the Ski season, currently the company offers up to 12 guests per day an option of 3,4 or 5 ski packages.

A look at what they currently offer can be found from the video presentation below:





Three areas have been designated as the locations for the project and the expansion plans, the Gail Creek Zone and the Thomlinson and Natlan zones, which could be developed further should their plans work out.

Some background on those plans can be reviewed below, taken from their application package.

They are seeking a licence of occupation for a 30 year term for the area of interested indicated in their application.


You can learn more about their current operation in New Hazelton from their website or Facebook page

You can review the full application from the Ministry website here.

Comments related to the application for the extended tenure will be accepted by the Ministry until November 24.

You can keep up to the latest notes on the Northwest ski scene through our archive page here.