Wildermess Guides Provide Added Safety, Supervision

Peak Adventures has become the cat’s meow for North Idaho’s backcountry powder hounds.

The snowcat skiing operation is entering its fifth season of hauling skiers to untracked runs in the mountains south of Cataldo.

Steve Matthews and Terri Rengstorff started the operation with a different twist. They ride snowboards while guiding their clients, most of whom are alpine skiers.

“These two have done wonders for the the image of snowboarders,” one skier said after a day of snowcatting. “They can go anywhere with those things.”

The couple also has gained ground in avalanche awareness. Peak Adventures schedules several avalanche seminars each winter to share the expertise they have gained from professional training.

“We provide the avalanche awareness for our clients,” Matthews said. “But most backcountry travelers go out on their own without the services of a guide. They more than anyone need some sort of training on the potential for avalanche.”

The next seminar for skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers is Jan. 19-20. The seminar includes an indoor session in Kellogg followed by a full day of on-snow training for $157. Info: Spokane Parks and Recreation Dept., (509) 625-6200.

Peak Adventures also offers scenic snowcat tours for people who don’t have the skiing or snowmobiling skills to reach the winter backcountry.

From Interstate 90, the ski terrain south of Cataldo doesn’t catch too many eyes. But once the snowcat reaches the ridge linking Latour Peak and St. Joe Baldy, every twist in the trail reveals more good runs.

The guides have tweaked their routine in response to skier comments over the years.

“Each year, we slowly but surely expand into new terrain,” Rengstorff said.

“We’ve gone to a more informal lunch that skiers can eat in the snowcat. That enables us to get in one or two more runs in a day.”

The clients usually meet in Cataldo at 7 a.m. and return between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., depending on conditions.

“We get a lot of corporate groups and ski patrol groups,” Rengstorff said. “Five gentlemen from Japan have booked trips this year. We had the Burton girls snowboard team and three different ski magazines.”

The coverage is a mixed blessing for the small business.

“Ski Magazine printed a story that went off on all sorts of tangents, including Randy Weaver and whatever,” she said. “The writer made it sound like Steve and I were a couple of cowboys going ‘Yahoo!’ on every run.”

Far from it. Matthews and Rengstorff had to complete rigorous training and competency tests to become Idaho’s first guides on snowboards.

They limit their groups to 10 clients to maintain quality service. “Quality and untracked snow is what we’re trying to provide,” she said.

The guides had to cancel trips on three occasions last year because of dangerous avalanche potential.

The couple also is doing a limited skiing service with a helicopter for specially arranged private trips.

“There’s tons of potential in these mountains,” Rengstorff said. “We’re taking advantage of it one slow step at a time.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Be prepared For information on avalanche awareness seminars and snow-cat skiing in North Idaho, call Peak Adventures, P.O. Box 50, Cataldo, ID 83810, telephone (208) 682-3200.