This time of year, it’s strange to be writing about backcountry skiing, but the Wasatch Mountains look more like February than May at the moment. There’s still a lot of snow and backcountry skiing to be had, and Silver Fork Canyon, located next to Solitude Mountain Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon, is always a good…
Category: Backcountry
Late spring skiing in Wolverine Bowl
Wolverine Bowl above Brighton is an upper elevation area where skiers are forced to go in late spring in search of corn snow. This time of year it may seem foolish to drive up the canyon wearing ski pants and jackets while rock climbers and road bikers recreate in the lower parts of Big Cottonwood….
Ski the backcountry at Thomas Fork in Neffs Canyon
Backcountry skiing on the Wasatch Front can sometimes feel like you’re competing for turns during a powder day at a resort. Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons have become so popular that it’s a miracle to go on a tour and not see another ski party. But if solitude is what you seek, then there are…
Ski the backcountry at Powder Park
Powder Park is one of those Utah places with a name that just rings with images of tall pines, wide valleys and deep powder. All of the above is true, but it takes a lot of work (or money) to get there. The work part means it’s a fairly long skin to get there, especially…
Skiing the backcountry in Willow Heights
Willow Heights or “the Willows,” is a backcountry ski area across the highway from Solitude Mountain Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon. It’s a lesser known but awesome place for either a short tour or all day yo-yo fest. Open, low-angle bowls next to steep tree runs covered in well spaced pines is the main course…
“Plinko!” A new first descent on the Pfiefferhorn?
“Busy Saturday in the Wasatch backcountry, but we weren’t too worried anybody would be on this particular line.” -Noah Howell The Pfiefferhorn in Little Cottonwood Canyon may be the most recognizable peak in the Wasatch Mountains of Salt Lake. From Snowbird, the view of this pyramid of rock earned it the moniker, “The Little Matterhorn.”…
Snowbird sidecountry: Scotties Bowl
Scotties Bowl is a classic descent in Little Cottonwood Canyon, just on the west side of Snowbird’s resort boundary. Access to Scotties is very easy from the ‘Bird when backcountry gates along the Tiger Tail run are open. On those days, Scotties is best avoided if you’re looking for solitude as it gets tracked out…
Backcountry skiing at the Bench Hut in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains
Despite the ridiculous outdoor adventure opportunities in Utah, it’s nice to get out and explore the mountains in neighboring states every now and then. The Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho is one such place, thanks to the dramatic Teton-esque rock spires that cap the peaks, creating a landscape to get lost in that the more rounded peaks in Utah fail to provide….
Off the beaten path on Argenta’s West Ridge
Spring is a time of variable snow conditions, and skiers are forced off the beaten path to find any soft snow. The Argenta slide path on the north side of Kessler Peak is a good place for the search, as it’s north facing and hides many nooks and crannies. Argenta is easy to see from…
“Overconfidence Kills” means backcountry skiing an unnamed Wasatch peak
The North Fork of Mill D in Big Cottonwood Canyon is a very popular backcountry skiing area. Dozens of groups skin up this side canyon to get to places like Reynolds Peak, Big and Little Water and Powder Park. But a good place to avoid the crowds is an unnamed peak near Desolation Lake sometimes…