For skiers looking to escape crowded lift lines and tap into deep, sub-alpine powder, Canada’s Baldy Mountain Resort has dropped a major update for the upcoming winter. In a recent statement, the South Okanagan destination announced the introduction of cat skiing for the upcoming winter season, effectively unlocking access to some of the highest and most coveted skiable terrain in the region. Sitting at 2,310 meters (7,578 feet) above sea level, the mountain’s summit stands as one of the highest skiable points in the Okanagan valley, opening up a fresh playground that was previously out of reach for traditional lift-served resort laps.
The new snowcat operation is structured around a flexible schedule designed to give both casual weekenders and dedicated powder hounds a clear shot at the newly accessible peak. According to the resort’s newly unveiled operational plan, the packages will utilize days when the main chairlifts are both spinning and at rest to maximize terrain options. From Friday to Sunday, the resort will offer single-ride tickets on the snowcat, letting skiers and snowboarders catch a quick lift straight to the top of the mountain to maximize their lap count. For those seeking complete privacy and untouched lines, mid-week private bookings will take over on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Because the mountain’s regular lift operations are closed on those specific days, winter sports lovers will be able to book exclusive cat skiing packages in advance to secure private access to the mountain’s legendary powder stashes.
While the winter season is still months away, physical preparations on the slopes are already moving at a rapid pace. Ground crews are leveraging the warm summer months to expand and refine the physical boundaries of the terrain, focusing heavily on glade clearing and intensive brush removal. The resort shared in an official statement that summer maintenance is well underway, with a specialized rental machine arriving to take down a significant amount of the dense Alder brush that naturally crowds the upper lines. The team plans to open up a couple of completely new gladed areas and clean up existing sections to ensure a seamless, playful flow once the winter snow begins to stack up. In the meantime, Baldy Mountain’s summer hiking trails remain fully open for those looking to explore the high-elevation terrain on foot during the off-season. For riders who want to lock in their winter access before the new cat operation officially launches, early bird season passes remain available until the August 24 deadline.