Wasatch Mountain Guides

Winter Adventures

Endless Possibilities, Perfect Snow

Share
Save Your Spot Questions?

Escape the lift lines and discover the majesty of Utah’s Wasatch Mountains from the backcountry. Explore the stunning Wasatch range on skis during a privately guided trip with Wasatch Mountain Guides ... guided skiing for all levels, in the backcountry, and in and out of bounds

Conveniently located just outside of Salt Lake City and known for world class snow and great amenities, Utah’s Wasatch Mountains are a great destination for skiers of ALL LEVELS! The backcountry of the Wasatch offers endless terrain filled with fresh powder and pristine wilderness ... the perfect setting for YOUR next outdoor adventure. 

At WMG, we can’t WAIT for winter ... we just love to ski. That’s why we run ski-touring days as well as longer ski trips all season long to immerse YOU in truly out-of-this-world backcountry skiing. The renowned Cottonwood Canyons are our very own backyard, and these canyons are famous for the “Greatest Snow on Earth”.

We offer privately guided trips through the backcountry for skiers of TRULY all levels and interests. As local residents, we know all the ins and outs of a huge area, like the back of our hands. Whether you prefer gentle tree runs or steep couloirs, there is ideal terrain for everyone. We even have the option for guided “slackcountry skiing,” which means taking a lift up and skiing out-of-bounds on the way down.

We customize your adventure based on your exact interests, fitness level, and snow conditions, and offer from half-day trips all the way up to multi-day trips. We are very happy to guide BEGINNERS or those who are new to backcountry skiing. We will make sure you have the training you need, including how to prepare for the backcountry, the necessary gear, uphill and downhill techniques, and avalanche awareness and safety. Tours range from lower angle intro skiing, to high summits, couloirs, and high mountain traverses (and just about everything in-between!).

Whether this is your first time in the Wasatch Range, or you’re a veteran of the area, rest assured that plenty of secrets await!

So WELCOME ABOARD! Here at Wasatch Mountain Guides, our expert team have dedicated their lives to the mountains, and chosen the Wasatch Range as their home ... for good reason! We just can't wait to share the breathtakingly beautiful and wild Wasatch mountains with YOU.

Book now for completely customized, privately guided adventure – WMG looks forward to exploring the backcountry of the Wasatch with you!

If you’ve never explored the Wasatch Mountain backcountry before, our introductory classics are the gateway for a new world of adventure!

Our introductory tours range from lower angle tree skiing on low-visibility days, to easy summits. You will get our top pick of panoramic views and fabulous descents – but with the very shortest approach. These ski trips are suitable for those who have never toured before, and depending on conditions, take place in either Little or Big Cottonwood Canyons. 

We include all the necessary instruction and tips on technique and fine-tuning as needed. The skiing features gentle rolling terrain suitable for people of all abilities, and with any luck, some of Utah’s famous powder.

An average day will include time for lunch, and approximately 1,500 – 2,500 feet of climbing over the course of six hours.

 

Trip Details:

  • Difficulty: No backcountry experience necessary; intermediate to advanced downhill ski ability and good fitness required
  • Meeting Time: Generally 8am
  • Meeting Location: Big or Little Cottonwood Park and Ride Lot, Alta or Brighton, depending on objective


What We Provide:

  • IFMGA ski and mountaineering guides
  • Avalanche beacon, shovel, probe and pack (if needed)


What You Need:

  • Alpine touring, telemark ski or split-snowboard equipment
  • Lunch, water and snacks
  • Review the equipment list
  • Lift Accessed Tours: cost of "single-ride lift ticket" is additional

 

Cost:

  • Price for 1 person $450
  • Price for 2: $300 each
  • Price for 3+: $275 each

 

Duration:

1 day, December to May

 

Fixed Dates (further dates available on request):

  • December 2020: Saturday December 5, Sunday December 13, Friday December 18
  • January 2021: Saturday January 16, Sunday January 24, Friday January 29
  • February 2021: Saturday February 6, Sunday February 21, Friday February 26 
  • March 2021: Saturday March 6, Sunday March 14, Friday March 19
  • April 2021: Saturday April 10, Sunday April 18, Friday April 23 
  • May 2021: Saturday May 8, Sunday May 16, Friday May 21

 

Client/Guide:

4:1 (max)

 

Downloads:

Gear List

Learn and practise essential avalanche skills, beacon rescue, safe route selection, efficient skinning, downhill technique on skis and splitboards....

During three days of ski touring or splitboarding, learn and practise essential avalanche skills, beacon rescue, safe route selection, efficient skinning, downhill technique on skis and splitboards, while enjoying our legendary Wasatch terrain. Designed for those who'd like to learn the basics of backcountry travel. If you are fit and have good aerobic endurance, you will do well on this three-day trip.

Escape the lift lines and discover the majesty of Utah’s Wasatch Mountains from the backcountry. Explore the stunning Wasatch range on skis during this privately guided course with Wasatch Mountain Guides!

 

You’ll love this course if you:

  • Want to learn to ski tour and get away from the resort crowds
  • Have some off piste experience, but yearn to dig into backcountry powder skiing
  • Course Details:
  • Difficulty: No backcountry experience necessary; intermediate to advanced downhill ski ability and good fitness required
  • Meeting Time: Generally 8am 
  • Meeting Location: Big or Little Cottonwood Park and Ride Lot, Alta or Brighton, depending on objective


What We Provide:

  • IFMGA ski and mountaineering guides
  • Avalanche beacon, shovel, probe and pack (if needed)


What You Need:

  • Alpine touring, telemark ski or split-snowboard equipment
  • Lunch, water and snacks for 3 days
  • Review the equipment list
  • Book a hotel for the durantion of the course 

 

Curriculum - THE WMG "ESSENTIALS" COURSE 

  • Getting to know our equipment
  • Objectives for safe travel in avalanche terrain (terrain, terrain, terrain!)
  • Current hazards (weather and avalanche forecast)
  • Group capabilities and limitations
  • Group travel procedures
  • Beacon rescue
  • Maximizing our efficiency on skins
  • Kick turning skills and tricks
  • Safety concerns whilst ascending a line
  • Safety concerns whilst skiing/boarding a line
  • Introduction to snow stability assessment techniques
  • Picking suitable unguided tours 
  • Progression of tours to enable goals to be achieved.

 

Cost:

  • Price for 1 person $1,125
  • Price for 2: $950 each
  • Price for 3: $700 each
  • Price for 4+: $650 each

 

Duration:

3 days, December to May

 

Client/Guide:

4:1 (max)

 

Downloads:

Gear List

Intermediates: grow your skills in one of the most stunning parts of the planet!

On these steeper and longer days suitable for intermediate to advanced tourers, we introduce just some of the places which have made backcountry skiing in Utah world-famous!

These fully-customized ski trips are breathtaking, inspiring, and leave you with new skills and outstanding know how. WMG offers privately guided trips through the backcountry for skiers of TRULY all levels and interests. As local residents, we know all the ins and outs of a huge area, like the back of our hands. Whether you prefer gentle tree runs or steep couloirs, there is ideal terrain for everyone. We even have the option for guided “slackcountry skiing,” which means taking a lift up and skiing out-of-bounds on the way down. 

Specific tours vary per conditions and clients’ focuses, but we always aim to go to where the best snow can be found. On many of these tours, we begin in Little Cottonwood Canyon, ski down into Big Cottonwood, and eventually work our way back up and over into Little Cottonwood again. You’ll get into some fantastic, challenging terrain – so you can continue to grow your skills in one of the most stunning parts of the planet.

Each day involves approximately 3,000 to 5,000 feet of climbing and skiing over the course of roughly seven hours.

 

You’ll love these trips if you:

  • Want to gain the skills to ski tour the Utah backcountry unguided
  • Have some off piste experience, but yearn to dig into backcountry powder skiing, with greater confidence in route finding and deep turns during longer descents
  • Want to plan extended-length trips in winter conditions, or
  • Have an avvy cert and great skiing ability, but want gain the skills to rappel into something more serious!

 

Trip Details:

  • Difficulty: Whilst no backcountry experience is strictly necessary, you will enjoy this type of tour with a little touring experience under your belt, knowledge of the equipment being key as well as fitness level; intermediate to advanced downhill ski ability and good fitness required
  • Meeting Time: Generally 8am 
  • Meeting Location: Big or Little Cottonwood Park and Ride Lot, Alta or Brighton, depending on objective


What We Provide:

  • IFMGA ski and mountaineering guides
  • Avalanche beacon, shovel, probe and pack (if needed)


What You Need:

  • Alpine touring, telemark ski or split-snowboard equipment
  • Lunch, water and snacks
  • Review the equipment list
  • Lift Accessed Tours: cost of "single-ride lift ticket" is additional

 

Cost:

  • Price for 1 person $450
  • Price for 2: $300 each
  • Price for 3+: $275 each

 

Duration:

1 day, December to May

 

Client/Guide:

4:1 (max)

 

Downloads:

Gear List

WMGs more advanced tours focus on covering a wide variety of terrain and aspects with the best snow. These days are for those interested and capable of bigger objectives of a longer duration, with more hazard considerations. Because this type of tour requires solid physical stamina and good skinning technique, clients must be approved beforehand either through someone we know, or prior outing(s) with WMG.

A day will include time for lunch, plus 5,000 to 8,000 feet of climbing and skiing over roughly eight hours.

These fully-customized ski trips are breathtaking, inspiring, and leave you with new skills and outstanding know how. This might your choice for an objective such as the South Face of Superior, Pfifferhorn or any big committing ideas. You'll love these trips if you:

  • Have some off piste experience, but yearn to dig into backcountry powder skiing, with greater confidence in route finding and deep turns during longer steeper descents
  • Have an avvy cert and great skiing ability, but want gain the skills to rappel into something more serious
  • Want to gain the skills to ski tour the Utah backcountry unguided
  • Want to hone in on all the skills you are either missing, or need to fine tune in order to enjoy the winter mountains independently
  • Hope to run your own ski mountaineering expedition
  • Want to plan extended-length trips in winter conditions

Our aim is to get you out in the mountains unguided in the future, by gaining backcountry ski planning, weather skills, avalanche concerns and routes, plan Bs, safety plans, camp locations, group dynamics, and plenty more!

 

Trip Details:

  • Difficulty: Because this tour requires solid physical stamina and good skinning technique, clients must be approved beforehand either through someone we know, or prior outing(s) with WMG
  • Meeting Time: Generally 7am 
  • Meeting Location: Big or Little Cottonwood Park and Ride Lot, Alta or Brighton, depending on objective


What We Provide:

  • IFMGA ski and mountaineering guides
  • Avalanche beacon, shovel, probe and pack (if needed)


What You Need:

  • Alpine touring, telemark ski or split-snowboard equipment
  • Lunch, water and snacks
  • Review the advanced equipment list
  • Lift Accessed Tours: cost of "single-ride lift ticket" is additional

 

Cost:

  • Price for 1 person $550
  • Price for 2: $390 each
  • Price for 3+: $300 each

 

Duration:

1 day, December to May

 

Client/Guide:

3:1 (max)

 

Downloads:

Gear List

Make lap after lap to your heart's content... Some of the best skiing in the Wasatch lies just outside resort boundaries ... join WMG's local experts to find out where!

Lifts provide us with speedy access to high mountain terrain, and allow us to reach the Wasatch’ uppermost elevations, and stack up vertical with considerably less hiking or skinning.

We may make a ‘one-up’ to gain altitude on our way to more remote peaks, or return to the lifts multiple times, combining lifts with short hikes and traverses in order to enjoy untracked powder adjacent to the resorts. 

 

Trip Details:

  • Difficulty: no backcountry experience is necessary; intermediate to advanced downhill ski ability and good fitness required
  • Meeting Time: Generally 8am 
  • Meeting Location: Big or Little Cottonwood Park and Ride Lot, Alta or Brighton, depending on objective


What We Provide:

  • IFMGA ski and mountaineering guides
  • Avalanche beacon, shovel, probe and pack (if needed)


What You Need:

  • Alpine touring, telemark ski or split-snowboard equipment
  • Lunch, water and snacks
  • Review the equipment list
  • Full day Lift ticket or "single-ride lift ticket" 

 

Cost:

  • Price for 1 person $450
  • Price for 2: $300 each
  • Price for 3+: $275 each
  • Add extra cost for lift tickets

 

Duration:

1 day, December to May

 

Client/Guide:

4:1 (max)

 

Downloads:

Gear List

Payments and Cancellations

Wasatch Mountain Guides requires full payment of any trip to secure your reservation. Changes/cancellations can be made by phone or email and must be acknowledged by the WMG office, in writing.

If you have to cancel 61 or more days before the trip start date, your full deposit will be refunded and the trip is cancelled.

If you have to cancel 31 to 60 days before the trip start date, 50% of you trip fee will refunded and the remaining 50% will be credited towards another Wasatch Mountain Guides program if used within 365 days from the original start date.

If you cancel less than 31 days, but more than 5 business days, before your trip’s start date, a credit will be issued for the full amount of your deposit, but no refund is available. Credits must be used within 365 days from the original start date.

No date changes or cancellations can be made within 5 business days of the start of the trip or course, and in this instance neither credit OR refund will be available. 

Unfortunately, due to the time-sensitive nature of our business, and the difficulty in re-booking a trip close to departure, we cannot make exceptions to this policy.

WMG reserves the right to cancel a trip due to lack of sign-ups, or other factors beyond our control. In this case, you will have the option of receiving a full refund or credit or rescheduling for a later date. WMG is not responsible for additional expenses incurred, including non-refundable airline tickets, equipment, lodging, and other travel-related expenses.

Changes to a trip itinerary made by our guides for any reason do not constitute a cancellation, and no refunds will be made in this case.

Due to the above policies, we recommend that you purchase travel insurance from a travel agent.

Safety and Participant Responsibility

Participants have responsibilities to themselves, Wasatch Mountain Guides LLC and to each other. They must choose the trip that is appropriate for their interests and skill level. Good physical condition is important on all Wasatch Mountain Guides LLC and is a prerequisite for participation. Proper trip preparation includes, but is not limited to, acquisition of the proper equipment, understanding the trip's itinerary, and familiarity with proper wilderness etiquette.

The activities you engage in during your program may require a degree of skill and knowledge different than other activities that you have participated in and you have a responsibility as a participant to be in optimal physical condition and health. You are voluntarily participating in these activities with knowledge of the potential dangers involved, as well as the knowledge that some dangers are unforeseeable and uncontrollable, and the knowledge that these dangers exist no matter your physical and mental preparedness.

You must follow all instructions given by WMG and your guide without question, even if you do not agree with those instructions. On a trek or expedition, our guides reserve the right to remove any person from a trip for any reason. These reasons include jeopardizing the safety of yourself or another team member or physical inability to climb at the level necessary for the chosen route. If your guide removes you from a program, you will not receive any refund and you will be responsible for any additional costs incurred in leaving the trip.

Insurance

We recommend that all participants carry rescue insurance. 

+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
s

CORONAVIRUS - COVID-19: Uncertainties

Please rest assured we are holding our usual dates, providers and guides, to provide our WMG experience to its usual high standards of success and excellence, despite the uncertainty at this time. Please contact us to learn more about our special cancellation policies for current bookings to accommodate circumstances.