Palmer Snowcat Cat Ski & Ride
Experience the thrill of Palmer Snowcat skiing and snowboarding, where fresh powder and high-alpine terrain await. Accessible via snowcat, these slopes deliver an unforgettable ride above Timberline Lodge. Best of all, access is included with your lift ticket or season pass—no extra cost, just pure mountain adventure and epic turns in the alpine snow!
Catch a Ride
If the top of Palmer is visible from the Magic Mile, the Palmer Snowcat is likely running. Line up at the top of the Magic Mile lift. It's first-come, first-served, 12 riders per trip, about 3 trips an hour. Terrain is variable and recommended for advanced skiers and riders only.
Ski & Ride the Longest Vertical in the U.S.
With a lift ticket or pass, ride the Magic Mile Chair to the Snowcat for Palmer’s 8,540' summit. Ski or ride down Alpine Trail or West Leg Road to Summit Pass at 4,000'. Return via the Timberline Shuttle. Shuttle times vary; best runs are from 10am - 2pm.
Why not run the Palmer Express lift in the winter?
The Palmer lift was installed in 1996 to service summer ski operations. While we wish it was possible to maintain it in the winter, frequent and heavy storms coat the lift towers in thick snow and ice. These storms often have wind speeds exceeding 100 mph and brutally cold temperatures; de-icing the lift is virtually impossible. It’s typical that in the spring we have to make repairs. Operating the Palmer Snowcats in the winter is our solution.
