Article by Rachael Oakes-Ash

Cat skiing is oft referred to as the lazy man's way to see the backcountry. These giant groomer style machines with a purpose built cabin to seat up to fourteen people transport skiers and boarders to the backcountry. Most cat ski companies have a set and limited tender of hectares they can utilised for their guests.

Skiers and boarders take on virgin snow with a lead and tail guide for safety while the cat makes it's way back to the bottom to pick them up and take them to the next terrain. When the helicopters don't fly due to weather conditions the cat can still go out and most guarantee around ten runs in a day.

Canada's Powder Mountain and Big Red Cats offer day trips while Selkirk has lodges for overnight stays. South America's Ski Arpa offers steep and deep powder perfection in the Andes.

Read the entire article here: http://blogs.smh.com.au/travel/archives/2008/07/the_worlds_best_off_piste_ski.html