Highlighted in the iconic compilation 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America, Mount Superior is considered to be the crown jewel of the Wasatch. And rightly so: the 2,900-foot descent is an unparalleled off-piste experience, but Mt. Superior and the area around it offer so much more for total novices and experts alike. You’ll find anything ranging from mellow slopes and bowls to narrow couloirs and exciting chutes for skiers and riders looking for a challenge. Heading out with guides who know the area like the back of their hand is the best recipe for a perfect day of shredding powder. Find out more about why Mount Superior is one of the best backcountry skiing locations in Utah by Willie Benegas, IFMGA Mountain Guide & AMGA Ski Mountaineering Guide.
Amazing back country experience in Alta. Really knowledgeable guides, literally some of the most knowledgeable in the world. Doubt anyone knows these mountains and reading terrain better than them. Felt very safe but also challenged. Strong workout too.`
We had a fantastic skimo experience with Todd and Willie in the Wasatch backcountry. They are very knowledgeable in the mountains and fun to ski with. I kept bugging them with all sorts of questions ranging from technical skills to safety travel in the avalanche terrains. They always patiently explained the details while guiding us through complex and exciting terrains safely. Not only did we enjoyed some steep skiing and powder laps but also gained a good amount of knowledge that can be applied in our future skimo adventures. It really doesn’t get any better than this. Thanks so much Todd and Willie!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
In order to join your guide for a day of backcountry skiing in Mount Superior, it’s essential that you have a good fitness level. You’ll be covering at least 1,500 ft (457 m) of vertical climbing and you’ll be on your feet for a full day. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging blue or black-level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.
Backcountry skiing isn’t just for pros looking for the ultimate thrill ride, it’s also beginner friendly, meaning anyone with blue level resort experience can have fun in the backcountry. If you’ve never backcountry skied before, heading out with a guide is your best bet. They’ll take care of the planning, introduce you to the basics, like skinning uphill, and teach you how to manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training to keep you safe. There are also options for intermediate do expert skiers in Mount Superior, though
For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own.
Ski rental locations are in and around Salt Lake City and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.
Group sizes and prices:
Backcountry skiing in Mount Superior can be arranged for larger groups, in which case more guides would join the tour so that the client-to-guide ratio doesn’t change. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Whistler, most people fly into Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). The meeting point depends on the conditions and on your objectives, but you can count on it being near Salt Lake City. It’s either going to be Big or Little Cottonwood Park and Ride Lot, Alta, or Brighton. You can either rent a car or take a shuttle from the airport to your meeting point.
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Utah, please refer to Utah’s COVID-19 traveler information.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
Day Trips Cancellations
Fully refundable within the initial 48 hours from booking, unless the trip date is less than 7 days from the time of the booking.
Cancellations up to 7 days prior to the trip date are refundable 100%.
Cancellations within 7 days prior to the trip date are non-refundable.
My wife and I took a private Backcountry Skills Course with Todd and Eric. We couldn’t have asked for better instruction and knowledge. They were both very accommodating and made sure we had the best snow. We skied fresh snow all weekend with spectacular scenery. It was so much fun. We felt safe the entire time and it was obvious Todd and Eric were very familiar with the terrain. We were very fortunate to have such experience guides. We asked for tips and feedback, and they delivered some great suggestions. We learned a lot, but most importantly, we had a blast. Certainly going back for more skiing and hope to get back in the summer for some of their climbing clinics.