With dozens of Pacific snowstorms coming in every year to cover Salt Lake City and the rest of Utah with blanket upon blanket of deep blower powder, it’s no wonder the Wasatch Range became synonymous with top-of-the-line skiing. Add to the mix its easy access to fantastic terrain, which holds enough variety to supply a lifetime of exquisite runs, and you’ve got yourself a perfect winter sports destination. This three-day camp in the breathtaking Wasatch backcountry is designed to help experienced skiers and riders break into the world of ski and splitboard mountaineering under the mentorship of an expert guide. Gladed meadows, steep chutes, and massive bowls await you in these marvelous mountains that seem to have been sculpted for backcountry adventurers. Find out more about the best backcountry skiing in Utah from IFMGA Mountain Guide and AMGA Ski Mountaineering Guide Willie Benegas.
Get ready to conquer the backcountry with this three-day camp set in the deep powder paradise of Utah’s Wasatch Range! Learn to practice safety in avalanche terrain, recognize snow conditions and manage your equipment before getting to grips with new skiing and riding techniques. With a professional guide by your side at all times, your days of perfect powder on the steep descents and technical lines of the Wasatch backcountry will be a memory to cherish.
After a Zoom call in which you will discuss current snow conditions and how to adequately prepare for your three days in the camp, the group will transition into the field for hands-on study. On your first day in Wasatch, your guide will cover:
On your second and third day, you will have the opportunity to put your newfound knowledge to the test and up your skiing and riding skills on the pristine powder of the Wasatch Mountains. You will learn:
You will walk away from this camp a more advanced and confident backcountry traveler.
Amazing Backcountry Ski day with JHMG. Our Guide knew exactly where to find the best pow! I wouldn’t hesitate to book again.
Top notch guide service with enormous experience. I love the educational aspect as well. I always learn a ton.
What you get in this adventure:
What’s not included:
In order to enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to have an advanced level of fitness and backcountry skiing experience. The terrain in Wasatch will be quite steep, ungroomed and treed. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging black-level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while hiking uphill for 4000-6000 vertical feet every day.
This adventure is suited for advanced skiers with previous skiing and riding experience in the backcountry. In order to keep up with your guide’s pace, you should be comfortable hiking uphill for 4000-6000 vertical feet every day and navigating steep, ungroomed and treed terrain. If you’re not an advanced skier, we recommend checking out these beginner and intermediate options in Wasatch you can choose from.
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. You can rent:
Ski rental locations are in Wasatch 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.
Ski and mountaineering camps Wasatch, Utah, can be arranged for larger groups. 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.
The simplest way to reach Wasatch is by taking a flight to Salt Lake City International Airport 2 hours away. From there you can rent a car or take a shuttle to Wasatch.
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. From there, you’ll head to your tour. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ski 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, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Wasatch, Utah please refer to the official Covid-19 website of the Government of Utah.
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!
Once your trip is confirmed, the following fees apply:
All requests for cancellations and date changes must be submitted in writing by mail or email.
Your guide reserves the right to cancel any program due to inadequate bookings, weather or route conditions, or for any other reason. If they must cancel a trip, a full refund will be given and every effort will be made to reschedule. In such cases, your guide is not responsible for expenses incurred by the client in connection with the trip such as airfare, car rental, equipment purchases, etc.
The JHMG team provided a top-shelf experience for our custom backcountry ski adventure. The guides reached out to provide a helpful introduction and trip planning assistance. Our guide Pat quickly discerned the different skill and strength levels of our group members, and then tailored our adventure to accommodate each team member. Pat remained level headed and patient in the face of challenges and helped instill confidence in our team. We had a fantastic experience with Pat and JHMG, and hope to join for another adventure.