Utah has a new ski resort opening for the 2016/17 season. No, it’s not the typical ski area with lifts, lodges and restaurants. Instead, Whisper Ridge is a “backcountry resort,” essentially a massive cat and heli-skiing operation that encompasses 110 square miles of mountainous terrain in northern Utah. To say Whisper Ridge is massive would…
Category: Backcountry
Spring backcountry ski routes in the Uinta Mountains
Spring skiing in Utah’s backcountry means we have the ability to access routes that are closed off to those of us who don’t own a snowmobile. The Uinta Mountains is the biggest example, as the Mirror Lake Highway is closed all winter and doesn’t open up until May, usually around Memorial Day Weekend. But when…
Backcountry skiing at the Geyser Pass Yurt
Utah has a brand new yurt system, and it’s in one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in the country – the La Sals of Moab. Just this winter, Talking Mountain Yurts opened their doors to backcountry and nordic skiers (and summer mountain bikers) with two yurts, the Gold Basin Yurt and the Geyser Pass…
MSR Striker 240 Probe & Responder Shovel review
So, you got yourself a copy of Jared Hargrave’s excellent book, Backcountry Ski & Snowboard Routes: Utah. Your skins are cut, you can transition your setup lickety-split, and your beacon battery is at 100%… but before you go breaking trail, take a look at your probe and shovel. Aside from your beacon, these two items…
Video: backcountry skiing at the Puffer Lake Yurt, Tushar Mountains
Back in February, we took a backcountry ski trip to the Puffer Lake Yurt in the Tushar Mountains. It was an awesome weekend as we experienced a mini corn-cycle in the middle of winter. Warm temperatures and frozen nights secured the snowpack and allowed for soft, sunny turns on big lines off City Creek Peak….
5 favorite backcountry ski routes in Utah’s remote desert ranges
Utah’s remote desert ranges, like the Stansbury Mountains, Henry Mountains and Abajo Mountains, are not generally thought of as backcountry skiing destinations. They can be hard to get to, there is little beta available, and snow conditions can be sketchy. But if you time your trip right and have the gumption (and 4×4 vehicle to…
Ride free backcountry ski shuttles in Little Cottonwood Canyon
Transportation congestion in Little Cottonwood Canyon has reached an all-time high. Even on non-powder days, you can expect a line of cars slowly rolling up Highway 210 toward Alta and Snowbird. Even backcountry trailhead parking lots have vehicles spilling out onto the road. But to prove that transportation solutions exist today, the Wasatch Backcountry Alliance…
Backcountry skiing from Puffer Lake Yurt in the Tushar Mountains
“You guys know you have to pack out leftovers you pack in, right?” I nod in affirmation as Todd Chamberlain, a guide with Tushar Mountain Tours, loads cases of beer onto a sled. Clearly, he’s doubtful that six guys can put away all these fine microbrews in just two nights. But after running out of beer…
5 favorite backcountry ski routes in the La Sal Mountains
The La Sal Mountains of Moab, Utah are an unsung gem of backcountry skiing in the state. Moab is of course famous for its national parks and world-class mountain biking, but winter should not slow outdoorsy types down as the La Sals are an amazing place to ski, as long as you’re willing to work…
5 favorite backcountry ski routes in the Bear River Range
The Bear River Range, located near Logan in Northern Utah, holds some of the best backcountry skiing in the state. Touring potential is massive among these peaks, which can easily be accessed from town, or along Highway 89 as it winds up through Logan Canyon. Temperatures are generally colder here than the rest of Utah,…