Great Northern Powder Guides

Charge into Whitefish’s legendary backcountry and carve fresh lines where the adventure never ends. Our custom snowcats take you deep into the Northern Rocky Mountains’ untouched terrain, delivering pillow drops, steep lines, and epic tree runs. These are the kind of powder days you’ve been dreaming about. With expert guides at your side and a crew of like-minded skiers and riders, every run is fueled by camaraderie, laughs, and big Montana energy. With an easygoing vibe and quick access from town and airport, Great Northern Powder Guides is your ultimate Montana cat skiing adventure.

Deeply Local

Authentic. Family-run. A bit different. We’re all about showing you the best backcountry skiing in Montana. Like Whitefish down the road, we’re not corporate-owned, or a hangout for the uber-rich like those other bigger ski destinations in Colorado and Utah. You know the ones. That’s just the way it is here. Real skiing for real people.

Our Team

Cool Terrain

Trees, burns, open glades, pillows, chutes, and loads of deep Montana pow. Our terrain offers something for everyone, from upper-intermediate backcountry first-timers to experts and even the occasional pros and film crews. You name it, we’ve got it. Don’t cross the border and pay big bucks. Come explore our powder playground.

Our Terrain

Easy to Get To

Few cat ski operations are as easy to get to. Whitefish town, ski resort and Glacier Park International Airport are all close by. Most of our guests tack on a few days skiing Whitefish Mountain Resort. It’s the perfect warm-up for your cat skiing adventure.

Getting Here

Trip Styles

Day Cat Skiing

Experience Montana’s backcountry like never before with Great Northern’s Day Cat Tours. Choose your ride—Powder Cat (advanced) for playful glades or Steep & Deep (advanced-expert) for heart-pounding chutes. Custom-outfitted cats, endless powder, and small groups guarantee max vertical, comfort, and camaraderie. Solo skiers and first-timers welcome.

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All-inclusive Lodge Based

Choose our comfortable ranch for great access to both the backcountry and town, chef-prepped meals and a taste of ranch life, or opt for a remote, off-grid yurt experience deep in the Rockies. Either way, you’ll be spending your days shredding 20,000 acres of untouched powder for the ultimate Montana ski adventure.

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What Our Guests Say

If you’ve not yet gotten the chance to have an epic backcountry powder day, in your own backyard I might add, get with the awesome crew here! They will take you out for a great day of freshies!! Cheers

– Mike

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Matthew Parobeck 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent trip with GNPG!  Group of 3 people, hit the steep and Deep first day, 2nd day the normal trip.  Great ride in the cats up to the terrain and the runs were great!  This is our 4th year in the back country and GNPG met all expectations!  Highly recommend!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Danell Booher 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Best. Day(s). Ever. Thank you to our guides, the cat drivers, the team who made lunch at the yurt. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Fresh powder, fun and felt safe the whole time.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Andrea Marangoni 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great powder… bluebird day! The steep and deep was absolutely worth it!! Cole great guide!!
  
 
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   Kevin Hazzard 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My days with Great Northern were 2 seasons in the making.  Last year, they didn't have the snow so they recommended we take a credit.  That told me they really wanted us to have the best experience and not just take our money.  So, we booked again for this season and added an additional day. Unfortunately, we didn't hit a snow cycle, but they have enough terrain to choose from that we were getting fresh pow on both days. Jay, Ky and the entire Great Northern Crew went out of their way to make sure we had a great time.  The guides were great (Grant and Kenny - Day 1 / Cole and Tony for day 2) and Bill knows how to get that Cat around!! I've been out with many Cat operations throughout the Rockies and these guys are pros!  Can't wait to get back out with them again.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Riley Biloki 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ky and the team over at great northern powder guides are amazing people and great to work with! If you're looking for experts in the back country look no further! Thanks again! Riley
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jace Barrera 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Such and amazing experience! The skiing and powder were insane and the staff rocked! 100% doing again!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Brian Judd 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had the best time with our guides Calvin and KC. Special shout out to Cole who was our lead guide all three days we skied, who put us on trails that were amazing. It was great to have him all three days as he picked stuff for us that fit our skill level and really tailored the trip to us. Can’t recommend GNPG enough! Resort skiing won’t be the same after experiencing this!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jason Eckerman 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing!!!! The terrain is special, the guides drivers and staff are wonderful, and the whole operation is really well done. I’ve been up several times and it’s an exceptional time each and every time.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Aidan Stead 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. From start to finish, this place was unreal. The guides/ staff were stellar: never once felt in danger, great to talk to, and made a phenomenal lunch. It felt like we were in a video game and teleported to the middle of nature in all the best ways. Conditions were amazing and I felt like I was surfing. #montanasucksstayaway

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