About us
Established in 2003 as a State of Idaho registered and certified outfitting/guiding service, Selkirk Powder Company (SPC) provides alpine backcountry ski excursions and avalanche education classes. SPC is an AIARE avalanche education Provider and runs a Professional Division (Q57) of the National Ski Patrol.
With license and permits that cover most of the western slopes of the rugged and beautiful Selkirk Mountain Range, SPC operated at Schweitzer in Sandpoint, Idaho until April 2024 as an independent concessionaire using 1,200 acres of upper ridgeline property owned by the ski area and 3,300 acres of Idaho Department of Lands under lease. After receiving a quick “No” to our concession contract renewal request, we pivoted to the IDL and obtained a new permit. We negotiated terms with Schweitzer and agreed to exchange our summit building and our IDL lease rights for adequate consideration.
In January 2025, SPC will commence cat skiing and ski touring the new permit zone which was created from one of their heli permit areas and is seamlessly tied into the snowmobile permit. This unique backcountry cat skiing area we label the “Atlasta–Casey Project” and comprises of 6,250 acres featuring 3 aspects and peaks reaching 6,700 ft. The snowcat perimeter road is primarily established, but it will take some seasons to recreate the wickedly efficient cat-road system we created at Schweitzer. We appreciate your business and support as we endeavor to make the next best cat skiing and powder riding experience.
We are proud to have great relationships with these organizations—what they do helps us do what we do!
Equipment
Experience
Communication
Vehicles
Venue
Over the years, we’ve been discovered by industry insiders such as Skiing, Powder, Ski, and Outside magazines as well as professional photographers, videographers, broadcasters, and ski journalists. But more importantly, we can’t wait for you to make your own discovery!
Guest testimonials
In addition to reviews posted to individual adventure experiences (submit your own at the bottom of a tour’s page), we are also grateful for the positive reception guests have expressed on popular social review outlets:
Powderhounds
Powderhounds provides an in-depth review. Here is the introduction:
Some USA cat skiing operations that are attached to a ski resort are a bit ho-hum, but Selkirk Powder Company definitely isn’t one of them. We’re letting the cat out of the bag that this is one wickedly fun cat skiing operation. We had an amazing time!
Powder
July 24, 2024
Powder magazine helped us explain the nature of our transition from the terrain we developed behind Schweitzer to our current operations.
Unofficial Networks
March 21, 2022
Unofficial Networks opined that northern Idaho ought to be considered a powder skiing and riding destination alongside Utah and others. We are honored to receive acclamations of beautiful terrain, incredible convenience, and exceptional value in the article “Selkirk Powder Company: The Best Way to Ski Northern Idaho”.
AAA’s Journey
November/December 2021
Here, the middle A stands for Automobile and not Avalanche. The American Automobile Association’s regional magazine recognized us as part of the “Heli & Cat Capital of the World”: “Essentials: NWBEST”
The Wall Street Journal
September 30, 2021
The Wall Street Journal exposed the well-kept secret of Schweitzer and Idaho’s excellent skiing: “The Beauty of Buying a Ski Home in Idaho? Nobody Knows a Thing About It”
Unofficial Networks
November 26, 2020
Unofficial Networks helped us announce the return of our heli-skiing program in the 2020/2021 season and stated how the rebooted offering will cement SPC as a heavy-hitter in the industry.
The New York Times
November 25, 2020
We appeared in “7 Places Where the Slopes Are Less Skied” by the The New York Times owing to our COVID-conscious characteristics.
Vogue
December 30, 2016
Along with international locations like Georgia and Madagascar, Idaho and Selkirk Powder make Vogue’s list of “The 10 Hottest Travel Destinations of 2017”.
Ski Magazine
November 29, 2012
Schweitzer & Selkirk Powder are featured in the 2012 cover story “10 Best Mountains You’ve Never Skied”.
Our scene is described as where lake views, steep trees, B.C.-quality snow, and a generous serving of backside snowcat action await.
Local magazines
Get the backstory on our heli operations from our local Sandpoint Magazine. We’ve also been fortunate to be featured on the covers of Sandpoint Magazine and Coeur d’Alene Magazine:
