Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah’s Big Cottonwood Canyon, will join the venue lineup for the 2019 FIS Freestyle and Snowboard World Championships. The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) announced this week that “The ‘Tude” will host snowboardcross and ski cross events. But you won’t have to wait until 2019 to see the action at…
Tag: Big Cottonwood Canyon
Entry fees proposed for Cottonwood Canyons
In an “I’m surprised it took them this long” move, the U.S. Forest Service has proposed vehicle entry fees for Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. The possible fee structure would mean people would have to pay $6 for a three-day pass, or $45 for an annual pass to recreate in both of the Cottonwood Canyons….
Utah’s backcountry ski community mourns Douglas Green
Utah saw its first 2016 avalanche fatality on Thursday, January 21st, when 49-year-old Douglas Green perished in a slide on Gobblers Knob. According to the Utah Avalanche Center, Green was skiing with another skier on a south-facing run called White Snake. This run is steep and open, and descends into Mill A Basin near Baker…
A Canuck in the Wasatch backcountry
One of the most gratifying aspects of backcountry skiing in the Wasatch besides actually skiing, is showing off the awesome terrain and snow to people from out of town. It’s even sweeter when a visitor comes away with a full dose of stoke. It’s easy for Utah to provide, but timing on snow conditions can…
5 favorite backcountry ski routes in Big Cottonwood Canyon
The Central Wasatch is undoubtedly the hub of backcountry skiing in Utah. There is an amazing amount of backcountry ski terrain despite the range’s relatively small size, and much of it can be found in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Dozens of quality ski tours spread throughout the drainage and I love them all, but these are…
Hiking Mineral Fork in Big Cottonwood Canyon
Mineral Fork, located in Big Cottonwood Canyon, is a hike with panoramic views where you can travel through the Wasatch’s historic mining past. A very wide, old mining road provides the trail, so navigation is super easy. Waterfalls, shady trees, and massive, alpine cirques are star attractions, but checking out the old Wasatch and Regulator…
Mountain Accord plan approved
Monday, July 13 was a historic day for the Central Wasatch as the Mountain Accord was officially approved. The committee, which includes representatives from ski resorts, environmental groups, special interest groups, and city officials, signed off on the final proposal that may dictate the landscape, recreation, and transportation future of the Wasatch canyons. For those…
Hiking Broads Fork in Big Cottonwood Canyon
Broads Fork, located in Big Cottonwood Canyon in the Central Wasatch, is an excellent hike complete with a shady trail that climbs through stands of evergreens, waterfalls and creek crossings that ends at a spectacular view of high-alpine peaks in the upper basin. While the hike shares the same parking area as neighboring Lake Blanche…
Backcountry Report: Beartrap Fork
Winter finally returned to the Wasatch! With 13 inches falling over three days in the upper Cottonwood Canyons, myself, along with Mason Diedrich and Adam Symonds, skinned up Beartrap Fork in Big Cottonwood Canyon in hopes of fresh lines with no crowds. We found what we were looking for. It felt so good to break…
Stop and smell the roses at the Wasatch Wildflower Festival
If you haven’t been up the Cottonwood Canyons yet this summer, then now is the time to go. The wild flowers are in full bloom, but they don’t stick around for long. The Wasatch Wildflower Festival is designed to get you up into the cool mountain air, and appreciate the myriad blooms that color the…