The best laid plans can sometimes be laid to waste, especially when it comes to travel in the mountains. Such was the case on a recent trip to backcountry ski Mount Timpanogos, where my objective, along with Mike D, was to ski the famed East Ridge. Warm, spring-like temps, along with lots of recent sun,…
Tag: backcountry skiing
Backcountry skiing at Snorkeling Elk Yurt
Water drops landed on my face and woke me up from a deep sleep filled with dreams of skiing in a rain storm. Confused, I wiped my face and sat up in my sleeping bag to make sure I was still inside the Snorkeling Elk Yurt, located in Utah’s Tushar Mountains. Earlier that night my…
Innate Kaze Modular Vacuum Bottle review
The perfect insulated vacuum bottle for backcountry skiing has been difficult to find these days, as some don’t keep my coffee hot long enough, while others have leaked. We’ve been testing out the Innate Kaze Modular Vacuum Bottle ever since we picked one up at Outdoor Retailer in January, and so far it’s been an…
Snowbird now offering snowcat ski tours
Backcountry skiing in the Wasatch just got a bit easier. Snowbird just announced that they are now offering guided snowcat ski tours, called “Snowcat Skiing for Nature.” Why? Because proceeds from the operation will go to benefit the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation. It’s the first time since Mineral Basin was brought into Snowbird’s boundaries that they’ve…
Powder turns on Logan Peak
Utah was blessed with some of the deepest snowfall of the season over the last weekend of February, when Snowbasin got buried in 26 inches in two days. After pigging out on powder Sunday, Adam and I headed north on Monday in search of backcountry turns untouched by the masses on Logan Peak in Dry…
Wasatch Powder Keg now a “triple crown”
So you’ve been backcountry skiing since October, and you’re legs are in damn good touring shape. So why not show off your redwood thighs and enter to race in the 2013 Wasatch Powder Keg. This year is special because it’s the first time the Wasatch’s premiere ski mountaineering event will be a 3-race format. The…
Friday video: 4FRNT Tech Talk – Touring
In the backcountry, education is of paramount importance, especially when it comes to avalanche smarts. In this week’s Friday Video, Salt Lake City’s own 4FRNT Skis went along with two of Snowbird’s finest ski patrollers (including good UtahOutside.com friend, Sean Zimmerman-Wall) as they go through pretty much every safety tip you need to know to make your…
Dynafit TLT Radical FT binding review
Well, I made the switch. After years of hauling around Marker Barons, then Fritschi Freeride Pro bindings on backcountry ski tours, I finally pulled up my big-boy pants and purchased tech bindings. With a pair of new Voile Chargers added to my quiver, I chose the Dynafit TLT Radical FT bindings to mount on them. After dozens…
Touring The Three Temptations in American Fork Canyon
The Central Wasatch may be overrun by backcountry skiers at just about every trailhead, but not all is tracked out. American Fork Canyon in Utah County is basically the “backside” of Little Cottonwood Canyon, and is blessedly devoid of skier traffic. We decided to explore this little-skied canyon and chose The Three Temptations as our…
BCA Float 32 airbag pack review
Avalanche airbag packs have become massively popular the past few seasons, as a couple of high profile survival stories made backcountry skiers stand up and take notice. Add in new technology and touring-friendly options, coupled with a reduction in price point, and viola, airbag packs are now everywhere. One of the most affordable packs is…