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…
Tag: trip report
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…
Photo essay: backcountry skiing White Pine
White Pine, located in Little Cottonwood Canyon just down the highway from Snowbird, is a massive valley surrounded by huge bowls, dramatic cliff-covered peaks, and lower elevation slopes filled with pine and aspen trees. There are several options when skiing White Pine. You can skin all the way to the top where couloirs await on…
Video: Wasatch backcountry skiing 2010 season
The Utah 2009-10 ski season may have been less than desirable as compared to previous years, but if one knew where to look, then lots of powder could be found in the Wasatch backcountry while the resorts looked bare as a bone. Despite the lack of blower powder shots during epic dumps, there were still…
Trails are dry in St. George – time to go mountain biking (video)
The great thing about living and recreating in Utah is the ability to do just about anything no matter the time of year. Case in point: mountain biking in St. George in February. The trails have dried out and the biking is out of this world with perfect temperatures in the low 60’s. At least…
Skiing without puking at Solitude
Location: Solitude Mountain Resort, Utah Activity: Skiing the first time in over a year. If you’re a fair weather skier, read on. If you ski no matter what the conditions, stop now or you might want to throw your old rear entry boots at me. I could lie and say I’ve done tons of skiing…
Snowshoeing with dogs in Neffs Canyon
There isn’t much in life that makes me smile more than watching dogs play in the snow. Neffs Canyon, located above the Olympus Cove neighborhood in Salt Lake City, is one of the few canyons on the Wasatch Front where dogs are allowed, making Neffs a great place to take your dog for a winter…
Backcountry skiing the north face of Mount Superior
Mount Superior is a beautiful peak that towers over Alta on the north side of Little Cottonwood Canyon, and the massive south face is one of the most classic backcountry descents in Utah. Often times, when getting a late start on a sunny day, the south face gets baked and wet slide activity becomes a visible concern. So the other option is…