Outside ski resort boundaries, there are many ways to ski fresh powder on untouched slopes. Heli and cat skiing are the usual choices, but Powder Mountain is opening up new out-of-bounds terrain with guided tours. The location in question is Wolf Canyon, known by “those in the know” as DMI (as in “Don’t Mention It.”) Well, Powder Mountain is not only talking about it, they’re taking skiers to it… for a price.
Wolf Canyon is a huge area just off James Peak, which is the highest summit on Powder Mountain. The canyon features 1,000 skiable acres of 3,000 foot vertical shots in bowls, trees and chutes.
Backcountry skiers have snuck into Wolf Canyon for years, so why guided tours? According to Powder Mountain officials, they’re doing it to better control access to the backcountry and for safety concerns.
$280 gets a skier who shells out the dough a full day of guided backcountry skiing with a group of five to ten guests. The price includes lunch, a private van for shuttle service, and the use of an avalanche beacon. For $300, guests get the Backcountry Ski & Skin Tour which combines all of the above with more expert runs and vertical climbing. All guests must have all the needed backcountry gear, but the price includes a cat ride, but not a lift pass.
Anyone who is even thinking about backcountry skiing may find the Powder Mountain DMI guided tour a good way to discover what it means to “earn your turns.”
For more information, email adventures@powdermountain.com. Powder Mountain’s Mountain Adventure Center at (801) 745-3772 ext. 181 accepts reservations daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Or see them online at www.powdermountain.com