About us
Selkirk Powder Company (SPC) was established in 2003 in Sandpoint, Idaho as an independent outfitting and guiding service. We initially operated through a concession agreement with Schweitzer Mountain Resort and a lease from the Idaho Department of Lands. Throughout its history, SPC has emphasized safety and education by becoming an American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education (AIARE) provider and running a professional division of the National Ski Patrol.
2003: Founding
The company was founded by Ken Barrett and Chip Kamin (d. 2013). It evolved from Barrett’s previous company, All About Adventures, Inc., established in 1999. Selkirk Powder began by offering guided snowmobile tours from the summit of Schweitzer into the Priest River Valleys as well as alpine backcountry ski excursions and avalanche education classes.
2007: Expansion
SPC began offering snowcat skiing.
2014: Helicopter skiing
In 2014, discussions began for helicopter skiing, which officially started in 2016 after securing the necessary permits, becoming the first heli-skiing operation in the Idaho Panhandle.
2024: Relocation & new direction
After 21 seasons of operating primarily from Schweitzer, the resort announced in July 2024 that it had purchased Selkirk Powder’s operating IDL lease of 3,150 acres of backcountry terrain. Selkirk Powder Company then moved its headquarters to the Priest Lake area, about 8 mi south of Coolin, Idaho. This move allowed the company to focus on developing new terrain in the Atlasta–Casey zone and expand its range of guided backcountry experiences and educational offerings.
Today, Selkirk Powder continues to operate as a licensed outfitter offering guided snowmobile, snowcat, and self-propelled backcountry skiing and splitboarding tours across over 200,000 acres of the Selkirk Mountains.
Transition
With license and permits that covered 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.
Fresh freshies
In January 2025, SPC commenced 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.
Press
January 28, 2025
The Bonner County Daily Bee tells the story of our transition to our new operations and hints at an exciting future in “Switching slopes”.
Winter 2025
The quality backcountry that SPC has celebrated for decades and continues to celebrate makes another cover story in Sandpoint Magazine.
July 24, 2024
Powder magazine helped us explain the nature of our transition from the terrain we developed behind Schweitzer to our current operations.
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”.
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”.
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”.
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.
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.
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”.
Winter 2018
Get the backstory on our heli operations from our local Sandpoint 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.
Ken Barrett, Founder and Chief, Bert Kerstetter and Ron Landeck relaxing lakeside in Coolin, Idaho.
Selkirk Powder Company’s
Ad hoc executive committee
