Wednesdays Backcountry Getaway

We understand life gets in the way. On the other hand, we know how important it is to take breaks and experience the healing values of exercise and the outdoors on a consistent basis. Therefore, we decided to create a shorter day to accommodate those worker bees to offer a low-stress, short, fun backcountry ski day in the mountains.

This group tour is intended for participants with backcountry touring experience seeking reliable partners for the backcountry and looking to explore new terrain and avoid avalanches. Guides will select tour routes based on current snow conditions, weather forecast, avalanche risk and participant input. Fun snow and terrain will be the goal for this 4 to 6-hour day, and a variety of drainages, bowls, peaks and glades will be toured throughout the season. These group tours will be offered from early January through early April. 

Guests can expect to be mentored en route if they’d like and have back-and-forth, constructive discussions regarding the current state of the snowpack, daily avalanche forecast and weather patterns surrounding the day.

Tour dates don’t fit your schedule?

Any of our pre-scheduled tours can be run as custom outings. If you’re interested in a course but the dates don’t fit your schedule, please check out our private guiding options.

Course Prerequisites

• This is an intermediate course.
• You must be comfortable hiking 3000’ vertical at a swift pace in a day (6 hours) and be familiar with your touring gear.
• Riders and skiers must be confident and in control on ungroomed snow and in variable snow conditions (hard pack, powder, zipper crust) in trees or open bowls.

This course takes place in either Big Cottonwood Canyon or Little Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake City (expect to be in the field for 4-6 hours). Guests are expected to bring their own snacks, lunch 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 weekly meetup is from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, during which we encourage everyone to skin and ski as much as they can! The usual meeting time and place are 9:30 am at the trailhead, but these are subject to change. 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

• Register Online
• Call us at (801) 550-3986
• Email us at [email protected]

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

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 (optional)
• Sack lunch and snacks
• 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.