About Skeena
Skeena Cat Skiing
Company Intro
Locally owned and run, Skeena has been open since 2011 and operates from a backcountry BaseCamp located at the tree line. We have one of the largest tenures in the province, with expansion plans for more skiable range!
Partner Businesses
The members of the Skeena Cat Skiing ownership group also operate these amazing businesses. Check out the links below, and consider a trip to visit them all!
Skeena Cat Skiing
Team Profiles
Skeena Cat Skiing founder, Jevon Zyp, joined forces in 2021 with new partners to create a BC backcountry team: Gary Mathiesen, Owner and President of Hudson Bay Mountain Resort; Nick Holmes-Smith, Past owner of Mustang Powder; and Colin Zacharias who has been guiding since the late 1980’s, an AMCG Mountain Guide, avalanche professional and operations consultant. This ownership group will take advantage of the depth of their combined knowledge and history in the industry, to expand and enhance the Skeena experience. Learn more about our owners and the incredible Skeena team below.
Jevon Zyp
Partner, Founder
Jevon was born and raised in the Monashee Mountains, and his love for snow sports and heavy equipment led him on the path of helping to start three of BC’s biggest cat ski operations. He moved North with a dream of starting his own, and Skeena Cat Skiing was born in 2011.
Gary Mathiesen
Partner, President
Gary has been an avid backcountry and downhill skier his whole life. His diverse business career includes over a decade as the owner and operator of Hudson Bay Mountain.
Nick Holmes-Smith
Partner
Nick is the past founder/operator of Mustang Powder Cat Skiing and previously managed Monashee Powder Cats. He transitioned from the equestrian business to skiing in 1998. In the summer, he enjoys mountain biking and backpacking.
Colin Zacharias
Partner and Lead for Guide Training and Terrain Development
Colin brings a wealth of experience as an ACMG Mountain Guide, avalanche professional, and operations consultant. He has been a guide since the late 1980s and has worked with heliskiing operations in Canada, Iceland, and New Zealand, as well as with Monashee Powder and Mustang Powder cat ski operations.
Colin also sits on the standards committee for HeliCat Canada (HCC) and conducts annual audits for HCC. His extensive experience includes roles as a course leader and instructor with the Canadian Avalanche Association Level 2 and 3 programs. Colin has also served as Technical Director of the ACMG and the American Institute of Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) and continues to refine professional guide and avalanche training curricula.
Jennifer Zyp
Partner & Logistics Manager
Jennifer is a Gitxsan k’ubawilksihlkw (princess — Chief’s daughter) raised in the Skeena Mountains and has a vast knowledge of the land, culture, and people. Married to founder Jevon, this duo manages the operations at Skeena Cat Skiing. Jennifer has a diploma in Adventure Tourism and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. When not working or adventuring with her family she is investing in cultural revitalization programs within her Nation.
Michaela Pye
Assistant Operations Manager
Michaela has been with Skeena for over 5 years and her love for the mountains runs deep. Guests love her energy and her ability to serve up perfect powder days. She is a truce force on and off the mountain.
Skeen Cat Skiing
Land & Community
Skeena Cat Skiing acknowledges and gives thanks to the Gitxsan Nation for allowing us to operate on their unceded traditional territories. We recognize and honour the Gitxsan peoples’ land rights and title, and are appreciative to all those fighting to protect the land, resources, and environment.
The tenure of Skeena Cat Skiing is situated in the mid-south eastern section of the Gitxsan Laxyip (Territories) of Simgigyat (Chief’s) Djogaslee (Ted Mowatt) laxyip Xsu Gwil Gwalgit , Yagosip (Bill Turner) laxyip Max Hla Gandit, Luutkudziiwus (Charlie Wright) laxyip Madii Lii, and Gutginuxw (Phillip Stewart) laxyip Lax Xsin Djihl.
Skeena Cat Skiing founder and partner, Jevon Zyp, takes great pride in being a part of the Gitxsan community as his wife and children are Gitxsan. Jevon has been a supporter and ally to the First Nations people as well as many Hereditary Chiefs with their endeavours for over a decade and looks forward to continuing to build relationships with the Simgigyat and people of the Gitxsan Nation.
Community
Skeena Cat Skiing is proud to enhance the socio-economic status of the region through local hiring; sourcing local food and supplies; using local trades for all repairs and maintenance, and supporting the local tourism industry.
Skeena Cat Skiing is also proud to have involvement in the community through local event sponsorship.
The following is a highlight of some organizations and programs we support:
- Boarding for Brant – created to carry on the legacy of Brant Holenstein, and raise money to get gear, passes, and lessons to those with obstacles to participation
- The Annual Schussboomer at Hudson Bay Mountain Resort– fundraiser for the Smithers Ski and Snowboard Club
- The Big Pig Bike Festival – fundraiser for the Burns Lake Mountain Biking Association
- Trix ‘n the Stix – local trick ski and board competition
- Burns Lake Rotary Club Annual Auction
- Smithers Rotary Club Annual Auction
Local Towns
Skeena’s nearest towns are the District of New Hazelton, ten minutes away; and the Town of Smithers, a 45 minute drive.
Locals of the Hazeltons refer to the area as “The Land of the Totems”. Visit Love The Hazeltons for more information on the area, and a listing of the unique accommodations, excursions, and cultural tours. Not to mention some of the best steelhead fishing in the world.
Smithers is where most guests will start their Skeena Cat Skiing adventure. The downtown shopping area replicates a small Swiss ski village and has lots of shops and restaurants to explore. The Smithers airport is just on the outskirts of town and the base of Hudson Bay Mountain is a quick 30 min drive away. There are several motels/inns for overnight accommodation before and after your Skeena trip. Visit the Smithers Chamber of Commerce website for a full business listing.
Skiing and Adventure
The fun never ends in the #PlaygroundoftheNorth. Arrive early for your Skeena trip and check out some of these other great adventure destinations in the area. And come back in the summer, for incredible fishing, golf, mountain biking, and more! Visit the Smithers Ski & Stay website for great deals!
- Skeena Heliskiing (heliskiing adventure in same Skeena tenure)
- Hudson Bay Mountain (skiing in winter; mountain biking in summer)
- Harvey Mountain Adventures (snowmobile tours)
- Bear Mountaineering (backcountry adventure)
- Adventure Camp Tourism (adventure tourism booking).
Accommodation and Tourism
Visit Tourism Smithers for more information on all the activities to do in Smithers, and the surrounding area, and for a full list of accommodation options.
Here are a few of our favourites:
Skeen Cat Skiing
Athlete Sponsorship
Claire Challen
Arriving to Hudson Bay Mountain from the U.K., Claire began her relationship with the mountains at the age of two. In the early years, time on the slopes wasn’t a priority as she preferred lounging in the cozy family cabin, playing underneath the Hudson Bay Mountain Day Lodge, or seeking out a quiet hiding spot in the prairie trees to nibble snacks. However, after gradual exposure to the world of competitive ski racing, she fell into a rhythm of training with the Smithers Ski Club. Claire developed skills that took her to race all over the world and ultimately led to a diverse ski career of coaching, action modelling, writing, and work in the media industry. She has been featured on countless magazine covers and advertising campaigns as well as in motion as a host for Ski TV. Her Ski Fit programs have also been published in print and online. Though Claire loves to travel and ski new places, there will always be a special place in her heart for the mountain where it all began.
Tosh Krauskopf
Tosh Krauskopf has been snowboarding at Hudson Bay Mountain since the age of two, on a harness and leash with his parents Jason and Joscelyn. As the owners of Local Supply Company, snowboarding in the mountains was always a family sport, and it sparked a passion in Tosh from an early age. As a member of Smithers Ski and Snowboard Club By the age of 8 Tosh was sponsored by Burton Snowboards when the local sales representative saw the potential for his talent. Tosh was on the podium from an early age, taking medals at local competitions before his first international competition in 2018/2019 Men’s Slopestyle at Canada Olympic Park. In 2019/2020 he competed in three North American Cups, earning a top ten position in the Men’s Big Air. Tosh resides in Pemberton BC and trains with the Whistler Valley Snowboard Club.
Liam Huxtable
Another local young man that Skeena Cat Skiing is proud to sponsor! Liam started skiing about a year after he learned to walk. He loves to ski and it certainly shows. His home club is Smithers Ski and Snowboard Club, and his favourite discipline is slalom. In his time off, you’ll find him cruising the groomers on Hudson Bay Mountain, or chowing down on roast moose. Liam has competed all over the province, with multiple first place prizes, including: High School Provincials; North Zone Finals Overall; North Zone Under 16; Westerns Dual Team Event Under 16.
Book your Epic Winter Backcountry Adventure Now!
Our BC cat skiing season runs from January to late March. Click below if you’re ready to book now. We look forward to hosting you!
