Chill Adventures Await: Explore the Wasatch Back with Expert Guides!

Soft snow, azure skies, and exhilarating downhill runs on skis as you catch the lift to repeat the thrill, is an enticing experience that frequently fulfills the urge to engage in outdoor activities amid Utah’s winter scenery.

Nevertheless, occasionally long lift lines, crowds rushing down a single slope, or general physical exhaustion can spark the need for an alternative winter adventure. Fortunately, guiding services in the Wasatch Back present a variety of substitute excursions—from serene, breathtaking moments in the seclusion of the Uinta Mountains to snowshoeing around historical mining locations. Join us as we explore what to anticipate during a guided day with three of the area’s most reliable operators: Park City Powder Cats, White Pine Touring, and Inspired Summit Adventures.

Park City Powder Cats (PCPC) is a secluded ranch nestled deep within the Uinta Mountains, offering 15,000 acres of snowcat-accessible landscape. The heart of this isolated operation is a quaint log cabin, which has made cinematic appearances in the television series Yellowstone and Rocky IV. Visitors don’t linger in awe of the cabin for long because the majestic mountains require appreciation and attention. “That’s part of our uniqueness. We’re not affiliated with any resort, so there’s no development, hotels, or lift lines. It’s simply just the mountains,” states Park City Powder Cats operations manager Rebekah Stevens.

Typically, the company operates three snowcats with a maximum capacity of 11 guests per cat – an optimal experience for proficient skiers seeking a respite from resort distractions. “We demand skill level to be advanced to expert, which we define as the capability to ski ungroomed terrain on a black diamond slope at resorts in the West,” Stevens states. “It’s incredibly unique in mechanized backcountry skiing since we operate on privately owned land. We have no other users in our area.”

For PCPC visitors, the mountain’s solitude and personal interactions with companions in the snowcat often culminate in a remarkable ski day. “One of our favorite comments from clients is that it was the best skiing or riding experience of my life. It’s fascinating because I hear that even on days when the snow isn’t perfect,” she explains, noting that the sensation of gliding on untouched powder is becoming increasingly uncommon at resorts. While guests yearn for that floating feeling, many remark on PCPC’s distinctiveness. “The highlight of their journey is connecting with the Uinta Mountains, experiencing solitude, the vastness, their guides, and fellow patrons.”

White Pine Touring boasts 50 years of expertise in encouraging individuals to enjoy the outdoors through various activities. Winter guided experiences include classic and skate skiing, fat biking, and snowshoeing.

“None of these activities necessitate any previous experience or skill. You can approach any of these activities as a complete novice, and our skilled guides will assist you, teach you all necessary skills, and get you started,” states White Pine Touring’s program director, Daniel Hodges.

Since all the guided experiences and lessons are exclusive, a personal excursion with White Pine Touring is a superb choice for enjoying quality time while improving skills in the company of friends and family. “Guides will collaborate with your group to design the perfect adventure for you,” Hodges mentions. A telephone conversation prior to the outing ensures that guides create a tailored plan that aligns with individual preferences and objectives.

The White Pine Nordic Center, situated on the Park City Golf Course, manages cross-country skiing activities, including both classic and skate techniques. Cross-country lessons primarily concentrate on foundational abilities, balance, and technique. However, even advanced cross-country skiers can enhance their skills with sessions led by one of the distinguished skiers on the instructor team. Guided tours vary from traversing the 20 kilometers of trails curated and maintained by the White Pine Nordic Center to a full-day expedition exploring the serene wilderness within the Uinta Mountains (classic ski only). Hodges shares a cross-country skiing insider tip, “If the conditions at the resorts are subpar, that usually indicates the cross-country conditions are fantastic.”

Fat biking, also known as winter mountain biking, emerges as an excellent option when ski resorts have not received fresh snow recently. “Optimal conditions for fat biking are four or five days following a storm,” he explains. For those seeking adventure in the newly fallen snow off-trail, snowshoeing serves as an ideal selection. Guided excursions vary from one to five hours, offering choices such as a historical journey through Park City’s mining areas, a moonlit hike, exploring local trails, or a backcountry adventure in Uinta Mountains.
Shaun Deutschlander established Inspired Summit Adventures in 2012 to create customized backcountry experiences and deliver tailored educational opportunities. “If we can engage individuals where they currently stand and adapt the experience to ensure everyone feels secure, included, and part of the journey – then we can empower them to fully benefit from the experience and understand what we are doing in the field,” Deutschlander shares.

Inspired Summit focuses on human, lift access, and snowmobile access backcountry skiing and riding, emphasizing mentorship possibilities. The Ski Mountaineering Camps exemplify the Inspired Summit philosophy. “Our inaugural Ski Mountaineering Camp occurred in 2017/2018. We initiated it to cater to experienced backcountry skiers eager to learn how to navigate steeper terrain, enhance safety with boot crampons, and potentially utilize a rope during ascents,” he elaborates. The Summit and Slay-Dees (a camp for advanced women) are set in the Uintas and serve as prerequisites for The Pinnacle, an experience based in Alaska. “These programs are designed to be progressive.layering of courses.”
One of Inspired Summit’s hallmark services is the guided and curated hut excursions. These yurt adventures began operating from the Uinta-based Castle Peak Yurt in 2016 in partnership with White Pine Touring. In 2020, Inspired Summit acquired the yurt and constructed a new facility, which includes a barrel sauna. Guided and catered yurt getaways are offered for a minimum of two nights and three days. Both clients and guides access the yurts via snowmobiles and sleds filled with treats.

Attention to refinement is Inspired Summit’s forte, and a tailored menu crafted by the guide accommodates any dietary restrictions or preferences. “The Smith and Morehouse Yurt and the Castle Peak Yurt are equipped with ovens in the wood-burning stove. Thus, we prepare backcountry pizzas. That has become a signature dish,” Deutschlander explains. While backcountry skiing is the most obvious primary activity during yurt excursions, entertainment options vary from dance gatherings to board games and axe throwing. Even those who do not ski or ride can partake in the adventure. “We can offer snowshoes to a group. If someone isn’t a skier or rider but wishes to join the journey, we can facilitate that.”

During the 2024/2025 season, Inspired Summit is unveiling a second Uinta hut, the Smith and Morehouse Yurt, providing a parallel guided experience without the sauna. The establishment of a second yurt brings an additional guided experience that utilizes both huts – commencing at Castle Peak and concluding at Smith and Morehouse, utilizing a snowmobile gear transfer. With a permit from the Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest, Inspired Summit is expanding the Uinta-based yurt network, also known as The Western Uinta Hut System, and plans to construct two additional yurts in 2025, completing the fifth yurt in 2026.

Discover more in the 2024/25 Winter Adventure Guide magazine.

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