It’s always a depressing time of year when spring has sprug and ski resorts close down for the season. But to keep things happy, it’s best to celebrate the ski season on its last day. One of the biggest and best tailgate parties in Utah happens in the parking lot at Solitude. In fact, the…
Tag: Big Cottonwood Canyon
Backcountry skiing Tom’s Hill
Tom’s Hill is one of many backcountry ski areas in the ever popular Mill D North Fork of Big Cottonwood Canyon. Open spaces, glades, and low-angle slopes are the main features of this little knob amongst larger brothers like Reynolds and Little Water Peaks. But its diminutive size (9,040 feet) is what sets Tom’s Hill…
Backcountry skiing Mill B South Fork Canyon
The Lake Blanche Trail to Sundial Peak is the most popular hike in the Central Wasatch. Every summer, thousands of people ascend to the crystal waters of Lake Blanche near the top of Mill B South Fork in Big Cottonwood Canyon. But in winter, upper Mill B South Fork is empty. Sure, the backcountry skiing…
Backcountry skiing upper Silver Fork Canyon
When skiers talk about Silver Fork Canyon, we immediately think about the Meadow Chutes near Solitude Mountain Resort. Quick access from Solitude and quality skiing just outside the resort’s boundary make the open faces and steep, aspen tree filled lines hugely popular for anyone seeking a short tour. But there’s a lesser traveled side to…
Wasatch Powder Keg 2011 race at Brighton
Better have your touring legs under you, because the Wasatch Powder Keg is coming up fast! This year is the 9th annual Wasatch Powder Keg, and it takes place on March 12 at Brighton Ski Resort. Registration started in January, but you still have time to sign up until March 1st. Race entry fee is…
Utah photogs win awards in Ski Salt Lake Shootout
Two Utah photographers won awards in this year’s Ski Salt Lake Shootout. Both Lee Cohen and Steve Lloyd snagged some recognition for their photos of skiers in their element among Salt Lake’s ski resorts. According to the folks at Visit Salt Lake, local uber-photographer Lee Cohen won first place in the “Urban Meets Mountain” category…
Backcountry skiing No Name Bowl on the Park City Ridgeline
No Name Bowl, located on the Park City Ridgeline, is a lesser known backcountry ski area that tends to play second fiddle to places like South Monitor or Radar Love. There’s no reason for this, however, since this little gem is just as easy to access from Big Cottonwood Canyon, features a nice pitch, wide…
Backcountry skiing South Monitor
Park City Ridge separates Big Cottonwood Canyon from its namesake town and the Canyons Resort, and is like a backcountry ski resort in its own right. The ridge runs from east to west for over six miles from Brighton to the top of Mill Creek Canyon at a consistent elevation of 10,000 feet. Both sides…
Backcountry skiing God’s Lawnmower
It is huge. It can be seen from Big Cottonwood Canyon road. Its very presence makes every skier driving to Solitude or Brighton look up and imagine skiing that line. It’s called God’s Lawnmower, and this enormous slide path on the north face of Kessler Peak is an icon of backcountrry skiing in the Wasatch….
Backcountry skiing Lake Desolation
Lake Desolation is surrounded by quality backcountry skiing, from south-facing open glades, to tree skiing on north and east aspects. The area draws all kinds of backcountry types – from weathered telemarkers out for a long tour, to modern twin-tippers barreling down from the Canyons ski resort next door. They all come to this tiny…