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

Latest News and Articles

Why Go Multiday Cat Skiing in Montana?

When it comes to powder-filled adventures, cat skiing in Montana is one of the best-kept secrets in the skiing world. While Canadian cat ski lodges often dominate the headlines, there’s a rising star south of the border: Great Northern Powder Guides in Whitefish, Montana. For advanced skiers and riders, multi-day cat skiing here combines unbeatable

First-Time Cat Skiing: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re an advanced skier or snowboarder who loves tackling black diamond runs at the resort, you’ve probably wondered what it would feel like to ride untouched powder in the backcountry. That’s where cat skiing in Montana comes in. For expert riders, cat skiing offers the thrill of wide-open terrain, deep snow, and zero lift

Great Northern Powder Guides: A New Chapter in Montana Cat Skiing

When it comes to cat skiing in Montana, one name has long stood out: Great Northern Powder Guides. Known for its unmatched terrain, authentic Montana hospitality, and legendary backcountry powder, GNPG has built a reputation as one of the best kept secrets in Montana. Now, with new ownership under Whitefish entrepreneurs Bill and Barbara Wetzel,