Lift-Accessed Backcountry Skiing in Alta & the Cottonwood Canyons

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • An experienced IFMGA or AMGA-certified guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • One full day of private, lift-accessed backcountry skiing or splitboarding
    • Single-ride lift ticket at Alta, Brighton, and Solitude
    • Avalanche beacon, shovel, probe, and pack, if needed
    • Day-of terrain selection based on the Utah Avalanche Center forecast

  Not included:

  • • Alpine touring, telemark, or splitboard equipment with skins
    • Lift passes for Snowbird and Park City gate tours
    • Lunch, water, and snacks
    • Transportation to and from the meeting point
    • Insurance — recommended, available at checkout
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  In order to join this backcountry skiing tour, good fitness is required as well as solid intermediate to advanced downhill skiing. You should be comfortable skiing ungroomed, variable snow with a pack. Expect 1,500–3,500 ft (457–1,067 m) of climbing on top of the lift vertical.

  No backcountry experience is needed. If you’ve never skied off a groomed run, though, this trip isn’t the right fit. To ski the backcountry on your own later on, your guides recommend an Avalanche Level 1 and an Avalanche Rescue course.

• Can I snowboard or splitboard?

  Yes, everywhere except Alta, which is skiers-only. Splitboard days run out of Brighton, Solitude, or Snowbird, and both hard-boot and soft-boot setups work. Let us know at checkout so your guide can plan the day around a mountain that allows snowboards.

• What if I’ve never backcountry skied before?

  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.

• What do I need to bring?

  For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:

  • • Alpine touring skis, telemark skis or splitboard with skins (can be rented)
    • Touring boots and poles (can be rented)
    • Avalanche safety equipment (can be rented:
      • Digital, 3-antenna avalanche transceiver or beacon
      • Lightweight snow shovel
      • Avalanche probe

  For personal items, we recommend bringing:

  • • Helmet
    • Sunglasses or ski goggles
    • Gloves and hat
    • Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-tex recommended)
    • Ski pants (Gore-tex recommended)
    • Down jacket or vest
    • Synthetic or wool base layers, underwear and socks
    • One triple-action locking carabiner or two conventional locking carabiners
    • Repair kit and Leatherman for your equipment (can be shared between several people)
    • Water bottle and 1L of water
    • Thermos with a warm beverage — optional
    • Food you can eat on-the-go
    • First-aid kit
    • Sunscreen
    • Daypack large enough to carry all items listed (around a 30-40L backpack)
    • Camera — optional

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• What about required equipment and rentals?

  All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes:

  • • This is a private tour, so you won’t be mixed with other clients.
    • For this backcountry skiing tour, the maximum client-to-guide ratio is 4:1.
    • Groups larger than four get an extra guide.

  Min. age requirements:

  • • Everybody over the age of 18 is welcome to book this backcountry skiing adventure.
    • Minors age 15 and up may be permitted to join private tours on a case-by-case basis. If you plan to ski with anyone under the age of 18, please contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
• Getting there and meeting location

  The starting point of your tour is in the Cottonwood Canyons near Salt Lake City. To get there, most people fly into Salt Lake City International Airport. From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach the canyons.

  You will meet your guide around 8 am at the Big or Little Cottonwood Park and Ride, Alta, or Brighton, depending on the objective. The canyon roads sometimes close for avalanche control. If that happens, your guide may move the day to the other canyon, shift the start time, or reschedule, so check road conditions that morning.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

  Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

• Cancellation policy
  • 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.