The Pfeifferhorn’s Northwest Couloir is a classic ski descent in Utah’s Wasatch Range. The line is located on one of the most iconic mountains in northern Utah and begins right from the top of the peak where it falls into a 50-degree chute that constricts to a 50-foot ice cliff that must be rappelled before…
Category: Skiing
Ski the backcountry in Silver Fork Canyon
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…
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….
Last day at Alta: images from the High Boy party
Sunday, April 24th was Alta’s last day of the ’09/’10 season. As always, the end of another ski season and the beginning of spring was marked by the High Boy party at the top of High Rustler. This year, there were two High Boy parties, one the weekend before on the 18th, mostly initiated by…
Snowbird 2010 spring skiing schedule
As is the case every year, Snowbird will once again have the longest ski season in Utah. After the weekend of April 24th and 25th, the ‘Bird will be the only ski resort in operation. That, however, does not mean that the mountain will be fully open. Restaurant, lift and ski run closures will take…
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…
Solitude scales back Silver Fork proposal
Fireworks have already been shot back and forth between Solitude Mountain Resort, backcountry skiers, the US Forest Service and watershed protectors over Solitude’s proposal to expand the ski resort boundaries into Silver Fork Canyon. Now Solitude is backing off their original desire to occupy the entire drainage. The new expansion has been cut back to…
Rossignol Voodoo BC90 skis, welcome to the family
Farewell Solomon Xtremes. Good bye to your squirrely ways, your old school edges, your narrow underfoot. I will not cry for you for you’ve served me well. Maybe I’ll pull you out during the early season when there’s not much snow coverage but I’m not going to make any promises. Please be kind to the…
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…