Utah Mountain Guiding FAQs

Utah Mountain Adventures (UMA) is Salt Lake City’s premier mountain guiding service, operating since 1993 and founded by the owners of Exum Mountain Guides, the oldest guide service in the United States, to carry on the tradition of excellence in guiding. UMA, with more than 30 years of experience, holds a year-round priority special-use permit on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest and employs the largest team of AMGA-trained professional mountain guides in Utah.

A special-use permit is an authorization issued by the United States Forest Service (USFS) that gives a commercial operator the legal right to conduct business on federally managed public land. For mountain guide services operating in the Wasatch Range, this permit is not optional — guiding paying clients on US Forest Service land without one is illegal.

Utah Mountain Adventures holds a year-round special-use permit on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, one of the most heavily used national forests in the country and the primary terrain for backcountry skiing, rock climbing, ice climbing, and mountaineering above Salt Lake City. This permit covers operations across all seasons, meaning UMA can legally guide in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Big Cottonwood Canyon, and the broader Central Wasatch in winter, spring, summer, and fall without interruption.

Most guide services operate under more limited seasonal authorizations. A year-round permit requires demonstrated experience, proper insurance, and a track record of safe, responsible operations — the Forest Service does not issue them casually. When choosing a mountain guide in Utah, asking whether they hold a valid USFS special-use permit is one of the most important questions you can ask. It confirms the company is legally authorized, properly insured, and has met the federal government’s standards for operating in that terrain.

UMA guides hold American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) certifications across rock, alpine and ski disciplines, making UMA one of the most credentialed guiding operations in Utah. Our lead guides hold IFMGA full certification.

UMA primarily guides in the Wasatch Range east of the Salt Lake Valley, including Bells, Little Cottonwood, Big Cottonwood, Millcreek and Ferguson Canyons, Mt Olympus and Lone Peak. UMA also holds seasonal USFS permits for locations outside the Central Wasatch, in the Uintas, Deseret Peak, American Fork and Maple Canyons and guides on private lands throughout Utah.

In Utah, the land managers (USFS, BLM, NPS) permit guide companies, not individual guides; therefore, guides cannot work independent of a guide company. Look for guide companies that hold valid USFS special-use permits, current business licenses, liability insurance and retain a strong roster of highly qualified mountain professionals with AMGA, emergency medical, professional avalanche and Leave No Trace training with demonstrated mountain and guiding experience.

Reputable mountain guides should hold certifications from the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) in their discipline (rock, alpine, or ski mountaineering) or equivalent. Avalanche instructors should hold pro-certifications endorsed by the American Avalanche Association (A3). UMA guides hold these certifications and maintain current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and CPR credentials.

UMA is the only guide service in Utah that is an offshoot of Exum Mountain Guides, the oldest guide service in the United States. Founded in 1993, UMA holds a year-round special-use priority permit on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, employs the largest team of AMGA-trained guides in Utah, and offers the most comprehensive year-round course catalog of any guide service in Utah. UMA offers everything from beginner rock climbing, backcountry skiing and splitboarding courses to advanced avalanche certifications, steep ski descents and training for expeditions on the world’s highest peaks.

Private guiding rates at Utah Mountain Adventures start at $120 per person for a half day and vary by activity, group size, duration and technical difficulty. Private trips are customized to your goals, skill level and schedule. Contact UMA directly for a current quote or find our rate schedules in Private Guiding.

Contact Utah Mountain Adventures directly through our website or by phone (801) 550-3986. UMA’s private guiding program is fully customizable, which means you choose the activity, dates, location and goals, and UMA provides you with the right guide for your objectives and experience level.

No prior backcountry experience is required for UMA’s introductory backcountry skiing and splitboarding courses. However, downhill skiing or riding experience is recommended. UMA offers courses for all skill levels, from complete beginners learning basic touring skills and avalanche awareness to advanced skiers tackling steep or technical Wasatch terrain.

The Wasatch backcountry skiing season typically runs December through April, with January through March offering the most consistent snowpack. UMA leads backcountry skiing and avalanche courses and offers private guiding throughout the winter season with guides who ski the Wasatch daily. Depending on snowfall, it’s possible to ski as early as Halloween and as late as the 4th of July!

The most dangerous aspect of backcountry skiing is decision making. UMA guides are trained to evaluate current avalanche hazard, terrain, weather and snowpack to lead their guests into low-risk runs.

To travel without a guide, staying safe requires avalanche education, carrying a beacon, probe and shovel, and making sound terrain decisions. UMA’s avalanche courses, endorsed by the American Avalanche Association, teach the skills and judgment needed to travel safely in avalanche terrain.

Splitboarding uses a snowboard that splits into two ski-like planks for uphill travel, then reconnects as a snowboard for descending. Backcountry skiing uses touring skis with a binding system that allows the heel to lift for climbing. Both access the same terrain. UMA offers instruction in both disciplines through its backcountry courses and private guiding.

Per American Avalanche Association (A3) guidelines, an Avalanche Level 1 course requires 24 hours of education combining classroom instruction with field days in the backcountry. Per A3, the Level 2 course requires prior Level 1 and Avalanche Rescue completion and an additional 24 hours of education focused on advanced snowpack analysis and decision-making.

Following A3 guidelines, UMA’s Avalanche Level 1 course is taught as a 24-hour program combining online education and classroom instruction with two field days in the Wasatch backcountry. UMA’s Level 2 course requires prior Level 1 completion and is a 32-hour program combining online education and classroom instruction with three field days focused on advanced snowpack analysis, decision-making and companion rescue.

An Avalanche Level 1 course teaches foundational rescue skills, terrain recognition, snowpack assessment and decision-making for recreational backcountry travelers. Level 2 builds on that foundation with advanced forecasting, in-depth snowpack analysis, and leadership skills for those who regularly travel and lead in complex avalanche terrain. UMA is an American Avalanche Association-endorsed provider of both.

UMA provides detailed gear lists for every course on our website. Essentials typically include an avalanche beacon, probe, shovel, appropriate layering, and touring skis or a splitboard. UMA provides an avalanche beacon, probe, shovel and backpack free of charge.

Ice climbing involves ascending frozen waterfalls and ice formations using ice axes, crampons, and rope systems. It looks intimidating but is accessible to beginners with proper instruction. UMA’s ice climbing courses and private guiding start with fundamental tool and crampon technique and progress to leading ice routes in Utah’s premier ice climbing venues.

Rock climbing focuses on ascending rock faces using technical rope systems and protection, typically at lower elevations (shorter approach and perhaps more accessible for beginners). Depending on the season, mountaineering can blend hiking, scrambling, snow travel, ice axe and crampon skills, and route-finding to reach mountain summits. UMA offers courses, climbs and camps in addition to private guiding in both disciplines for all experience levels in the Wasatch Range.

Yes, Utah’s Wasatch Range offers excellent beginner-friendly climbing routes, in easily accessed locations, particularly in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. UMA’s Rock 1 course is specifically designed for people with no prior climbing experience and covers all fundamental skills in a single day.

A basic level of cardiovascular fitness is recommended for most mountaineering. Routes vary significantly in difficulty; some summer and winter summits are accessible to fit beginners while others require prior technical experience. UMA guides assess each group and tailor the pace and objective to match the team’s fitness and skill level.

Yes, kids can join age-appropriate family outings with a private guide at any age. Kids 14 and older can sign up for adult pre-scheduled courses, camps and climbs. UMA offers youth programs including age-specific rock climbing camps for ages 6-17 and backcountry tours for teens. UMA’s professional guides are experienced working with aspiring mountaineers in a safe, encouraging environment.

Canyoneering involves navigating slot canyons using hiking, scrambling, rappelling, and swimming. Utah is one of the world’s premier canyoneering destinations. UMA offers beginner-friendly canyoneering skills courses that teach rope work, rappelling and canyon navigation with no prior experience required.

The Wasatch Range is a mountain range running north-south through northern Utah, rising directly above Salt Lake City. It offers world-class rock climbing, backcountry skiing, ice climbing, and mountaineering within 30-45 minutes of downtown Salt Lake City. UMA has guided in the Wasatch for over 30 years and holds year-round permits throughout the range.