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Dawn Patrol

$199

The early bird gets the worm! There’s nothing quite as satisfying as seeing the high peaks come to life one by one as the sun gradually illuminates the snow-covered ridgelines, knowing you’ll soon be riding down the pearly snow, in what may be mistaken as just a dream. This morning meditation has become a life-giving ritual for some and for others a cold awakening never to be spoken of again. Either way, you’ll have to find out for yourself during Dawn Patrol.

Set your alarms and don’t you dare hit snooze. The plan is to meet every other Wednesday at 6 am and be done by 9 am. Hammer out an early morning training session, ride the fresh goods and shoot the breeze alongside your local, friendly, professional UMA Guides.

Course Dates

  • Jan 28, 2026 (Wednesday)
  • Feb 11, 2026 (Wednesday)
  • Feb 25, 2026 (Wednesday)
  • Mar 11, 2026 (Wednesday)
  • Mar 25, 2026 (Wednesday)
  • Apr 8, 2026 (Wednesday)

Dawn patrol skiing is a unique modern-day ritual that is afforded to the metropolitan Salt Lake City area. Due to its convenient location just 30 minutes from world-class backcountry skiing, you can be car to car in 2 hours. The exemplary mountaineer, Alex Lowe, coined the term dawn patrol during his stint at Black Diamond. Based right here in Salt Lake City, Alex became acquainted with the quick, steep ups and the rewarding, fast descents. Thus, the term ‘dawn patrol’ was born. He was able to have the best of both worlds: a job while never missing a powder day. 

Thanks to the abundance of opportunities to get fun and fitness in all before clocking in, we created a guided dawn patrol group that goes out every other Wednesday. This shortened tour offers you a chance to skin alongside world-class mountain guides who help you make the most of the 3-hour tour timeframe. Whether you’re into friendly company and good skiing or you want to glean some beta, it’s your dawn patrol — we’re just here to mentor the way.

If early mornings aren’t your thing, we get it! We also offer another shortened style mid-day tour, Wednesdays Backcountry Getaways. (Or why not double up on a great powder day?) We hope to see you on the trails!

Prerequisites
  • You must have some experience with downhill backcountry skiing/riding AND skinning uphill (possibly in a resort, on groomed roads, tours with friends or professionals in 30+ degree terrain; around 5-10 times in total).
Skill & Fitness Level
  • You should feel comfortable and in control on blues AND black runs at the resorts.
  • You choose to go ‘off-piste’ and ski powder and variable snow regularly.
  • You’re confident linking controlled, parallel, tight turns and feel strong “ski fitness” wise.
  • You can control your speed on steep runs and stop easily.
  • You may fall sometimes or stop to navigate skinnier areas, wide chutes, steep moguls and steep
    trees.
  • You’re starting to “pop” sometimes when powder skiing.
  • You’re able to hike uphill 1500’-2000’ vertical over ~1.5-2 mi at a steady pace in a day.

Dawn Patrol takes place in either Big Cottonwood Canyon or Little Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake City (expect to be in the field for 3 hours). Guests are expected to bring their own snacks and water (1-2 liters). UMA does not provide transportation. We encourage carpooling to help mitigate traffic in the canyons and crowded parking areas.

SCHEDULE & MEETING LOCATION

This group meets at a pre-confirmed trailhead every other Wednesday from 6 am to 9 am, during which we encourage everyone to skin and ski as much as they can! Exact meeting times and locations will be provided to registered guests before the course date.

GUIDE/INSTRUCTOR

You will receive a reminder with the contact information for your guide/instructor. They will contact you directly by email to confirm meeting time and location, as well as weather considerations and equipment needs.

TRANSPORTATION & PARKING

Transportation will not be provided. Most canyon parking lots require a parking fee.

How To Register

UMA reserves the right to cancel or shorten the course if fewer than 2 participants register.

Please arrive prepared with everything outlined on the gear list. Your guides will conduct a gear check at the trailhead to make sure everyone has what they need.

BACKCOUNTRY TOURING EQUIPMENT list
  • Non-cotton top and bottom base layer
  • Puffy overcoat and/or other insulation layer (fleece, synthetic or down)
  • Waterproof/windproof outer shell jacket and pants (or bibs)
  • Wool socks
  • Waterproof snow gloves and mittens (or a second pair of gloves)
  • Lightweight gloves for uphill travel
  • Warm hat and baseball cap
  • Helmet (recommended)
  • Sunglasses and goggles
  • Sunscreen
  • 1-2 liters of water (water bladders not recommended for winter use)
  • Thermos of hot drink and snacks (optional)
  • Ski touring or snowboard boots
  • Alpine touring or telemark skis, or splitboard
  • Skins
  • Ski poles with powder baskets
  • Beacon
  • Shovel
  • Probe
  • Backpack (20-45 liters)

Please see our Backcountry Touring Gear List & Rentals page for information on the items UMA provides and local shops where you can rent or purchase gear.

Please see the Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding section on our main FAQ page for common course questions.

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