Snowcat skiing 2017-2018 season

[GlacierSean]

I started this thread to post pictures and stories from cat skiing adventures this season. It would be awesome if all of you post pictures of your cat skiing trips here.

A week ago it seemed unlikely that we would get to go snowcat skiing anytime soon. But I got a call late Friday night from my crew saying that Corona Bowl outside Winter Park had enough snow for an adventure. So I loaded up the cat and headed out early Saturday morning. To my surprise there was so much snow. We drove the 10+ miles up the pass in the cat and explored the area. We did some off trail stuff and I was super impressed with my cats capabilities. Then we hiked and skied a couple of runs. Later in the year we can cat ski those same runs. The snow conditions were perfect, we couldn't believe that our first runs of the year were this luxurious.
We left around dark and the roads were crazy with blowing snow and icy conditions. We were one of the last cars to go over burthod pass. We lucked out and got off I-70 before it closed. Finally I made it to my road but I couldn't get up one of the super steep hills. Actually ended up sliding backwards with my tuck and trailer. Had to ditch my truck trailer and cat at a friend's house and get a ride home. Great but crazy day.

 

[Red130]

I like that shot with the RR trestle in the background.

 

[The Sweet Wbj1]

Great pics! I'm jealous!

 

[PJL]

Thanks Sean. So your fuel pump problems are solved? Do you you have any videos of that cat in action?

 

[GlacierSean]

The railroad trestle is from the old Rollins Pass. You drive right up to it, I'll get a closer picture next time.

The fuel system problems seem to be solved. We drove it all day and it didn't stall, didn't have negative pressure in the gas tank and ran perfectly. I still need to try a very steep hill to be sure, maybe the next trip. And I'll get some video of the cat going off trail.

 

[forum8fox]

Such an awesome start to the season. Stoked to get back out there when we can see. Would be cool to get all the way out to the end of the pass or even to that sub peak. Would also be sweet to find a way to the bottom of the bowl to the NW of the trestle too (or maybe a cat powered rope tow lol). Either way lots of potential up there if willing to hike. Maybe next time we can plan ahead and get a few cats out there.

 

[undy]

Looks like a lot of fun. You guys suck! Thanks for the photos.

Is that a pair of Hellbents I see? My favorites for deep snow.

If you've got hydraulics on your cat, you might be able to power a tow with a hydraulic motor? My rope tow only uses 1/2" rope with rope grippers. Super lightweight. Mount a top wheel to a tree and tension the rope with the cat.

 

[GlacierSean]

Maybe next time we can plan ahead and get a few cats out there.

We should definitely get out there again and with more cats. I can think of a guy with a new yellow snowcat that is probably itching to put some hours on it. So what do you say Aaron, cat ski Corona this weekend?

Undy- those are my K2 hell bents. Definitely my favorite and only pair. Great idea on the rope tow. We do have hydraulics, I am gonna have to start shopping for tow rope parts.

 

[forum8fox]

That's sweet someone has figured out a rope tow. I was thinking about a thousand feet of cheap home depot rope tied together, a potatoe gun to send the rope down a couple people side slipping a track for a tobogan/ sled/ tube or something. Then just drive the cat down the trail. Lol. It could be handy to have options for simplifying the access when it's not so easy to just drive to the bottom or top. The bowl was so tempting I almost would be willing to boot back up. Not to mention the road gap potential right there. Now I am also curious about the other side of the pass and what else might be fair game in the IPW. I love exploring new areas that have potential for good skiing. So excited for what the next couple years will open for us.

 

[Pontoon Princess]

merry christmas

may I suggest, doing it the oldie fashion way,

1 - Tucker Sno-Cat

1 - long rope

1- awesome hill

15 or so skiers

and there you go, a rope tow to go

 

[Red130]

Looks like a lot of fun. You guys suck! Thanks for the photos.

Is that a pair of Hellbents I see? My favorites for deep snow.

If you've got hydraulics on your cat, you might be able to power a tow with a hydraulic motor? My rope tow only uses 1/2" rope with rope grippers. Super lightweight. Mount a top wheel to a tree and tension the rope with the cat.

Very interesting! What length do you set up? With time/effort for setup does it work out somehow better than simply transporting with the cat?

EDIT: After reading again, probably you're not running your tow from your cat?

 

[GlacierSean]

Great picture, Pontoon Princess. Looks like a fun time.

When it's good it's good. We did a skin and ski on Burthod pass today. Lots of snow and fun to be had. We stopped at one of the little cabins for a break. I know it's not cat skiing but I didn't think anyone would be to mad.

 

[undy]

Dave,

Yup, my cat's just for grooming a base. The rope tow is 440' long and takes 55 seconds bottom to top.

The main reason I do it that way is that I'm usually skiing by myself.

 

[Red130]

Dave,

Yup, my cat's just for grooming a base. The rope tow is 440' long and takes 55 seconds bottom to top.

The main reason I do it that way is that I'm usually skiing by myself.

Thanks, that is great! 55 sec for 440' sounds pretty quick.

 

[Aaron Tucker]

Awesome Sean! We are going to take the Prinoth out this weekend . We are thinking Vail but this looks really good to .

 

[sno-drifter]

Our first run. Skinny sno. Those who attended the Cat's Meow will know where this is.

 

[GlacierSean]

Went cat skiing at Vail pass today. The snow was good, we could definitely use some more. Some but not all of the roads are groomed. I think we got about 6 laps in. Explored some new terrain near Ptarmigan peak. Ran into some cool cats and enjoyed some BBQ and did some shoveling. I'll let someone else tell that story. Overall it was a great day with fun people.

 

[forum8fox]

Quality day for sure! I think I got 7 runs. Also a great ending to the day running into the other part of the crew out there. Loved seeing all the other cats and enjoying the very friendly group of people. The snows is definitely a little thin up there still but the lack in quality from last weekend was nicely complimented by number of laps and as previously stated the company. Thanks to all, can't wait to finish my project up and get it on the trail with you all!

 

[Track Addict]

Not the west definition but we got some some cat skiing in today Massachusetts style !

Groomer rope tow toasty warm single digits today.

Day 1 2018

 

[Aaron Tucker]

Went cat skiing at Vail pass today. The snow was good, we could definitely use some more. Some but not all of the roads are groomed. I think we got about 6 laps in. Explored some new terrain near Ptarmigan peak. Ran into some cool cats and enjoyed some BBQ and did some shoveling. I'll let someone else tell that story. Overall it was a great day with fun people.
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Yes Yes Yes ! it was a great day/ days had by all !
season opener for our family . We had 4 cats out with us on Saturdayand about 20 people .We did not get as many laps as we had hoped for but it was great seeing everyone out for the first day of the season.Sean thanks for all the help with Travis's 1544 ! Travis can tell everyone his story

my girls even got to play with their Kitty Kat

 

[Track Addict]

Great to see the kids enjoying the winter. Get yourself a ORPS deep snow kit for the kitty cat and reverse the track. Makes it a whole different experience. Also comes with new spindles to make it wider.

Night and Day difference!

 

[Blackfoot Tucker]

Great thread and great photos!

Well below average snowfall in Utah as well. I understand a recent storm stayed north and dumped 60" or so in Montana.

 

[Aaron Tucker]

Great to see the kids enjoying the winter. Get yourself a ORPS deep snow kit for the kitty cat and reverse the track. Makes it a whole different experience. Also comes with new spindles to make it wider.

Night and Day difference![/QUOTE


Thanks for the info I didn't know about the kit . should make the Kitty kat better in the powder !

 

[GlacierSean]

Went cat skiing on Vail pass today. Got about 7 laps in today. Lots of snow to be ridden. Had two new people in our group. Rescued two snowmobiles. Drove in some snow so deep I was pushing snow with the front of the cat. Ran into some other cats at the end of the day. It took a lot of work to get out today. My check engine light had come on last trip and it had so many codes. Mostly the computer was upset because the engine isn't in a truck anymore. The big issue was that I had a bad coil and was experiencing a miss fire. Also my manifold needed tightening.



Sorry it's sideways but this was the super deep snow that we got into.

 

[DAVENET]

Awesome pictures and great snow! Crazy weather on the east coast. Crazy cold for two weeks and then two days at 60° W/ rain wiped out 12”+ of snow. High temp today was 61° at 1am and by noon down to 25.

 

[GlacierSean]

Snowcating Colorado style.

 

[forum8fox]

Here are a couple more from yesterday. Had a great time as usual. Can't wait till we can get back on top of ptarmigan and back up into boss basin again! Would also love to give lime creek a shot one day. That face above the road looked primo (when we scoped it on our first outing on Vail pass with the road side pillows) even if you do have to hike it.

 

[undy]

Nice guys! Way jealous here. I just woke up to about 4" of powder, making for a whopping 8" total for the season!

I know this is a snowcat forum, but my vote is for more skiing photos.

 

[nikos]

Nice guys! Way jealous here. I just woke up to about 4" of powder, making for a whopping 8" total for the season!

I know this is a snowcat forum, but my vote is for more skiing photos.

What about a new THREAD with Skiing Activity?

Nikos

 

[forum8fox]

We will have some pics of skiing on this thread eventually. I haven't brought my camera stuff lately as I just want us to get a bunch of laps without the hassle of bringing all that stuff (mostly due to space even though we haven't been at full capacity). Often seems like a bit of a nucance, especially if I need to have 2 packs on my lap or worse when I need to get out without the cat. Canadian doubles (one each side of a snowmobile) with 2 packs (one full of heavy camera gear), a pair of snowshoes, poles and a snowboard in a pinch when we had to leave the cat over night last year was no fun, thought better than walking or slogging out.