Skiing Adventures USA

Wasatch Backcountry Skiing

Full-Day Group: 1-4 People per Guide From $250/person

Note: Benegas Brothers Expeditions strives to provide the highest quality logistics, giving you the best climbing experience possible. For this expedition, we are working through our partner, Wasatch Mountain Guides.

Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, just outside Salt Lake City, are world-renowned for their legendary powder — often called the “Greatest Snow on Earth.” Our private guided backcountry skiing trips put you right in the heart of this playground, where every day is customized to your group’s goals and abilities.

Whether you’re looking to ski lap after lap of untracked powder stashes, push into serious terrain like Mount Superior’s South Face — the Wasatch’s entry in the 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America — or build avalanche and touring skills alongside quality skiing, your guide designs the perfect day. The terrain spans mellow glades to steep technical chutes. We adapt to your level, fitness, and time frame every single day.

All Utah backcountry trips are operated through Wasatch Mountain Guides (WMG), co-owned by IFMGA-certified guide Willie Benegas. From the Park & Ride to the last run, every decision is made by guides who know these mountains intimately.

About the Guides

All Wasatch programs are operated by Wasatch Mountain Guides (WMG) — one of Utah’s most trusted guide services, co-owned by IFMGA-certified Mountain Guide Willie Benegas. Willie brings over 30 years of high-level guiding experience across the Wasatch, the Alaska Range, the Andes, and the Himalaya. Every day in the field is led by AMGA-trained and certified guides who know these mountains in every season and condition.

Benegas Brothers Expeditions acts as the sales and marketing partner for these programs. Clients sign a WMG release form prior to the trip and make payment directly to WMG. The same standards, the same guide team, the same caliber of experience you find on every BBE program worldwide.

Duration: Full day — 6-8 hours

Meeting Time: 8:00 AM (flexible based on objectives)

Meeting Location: Park & Ride lots, Big or Little Cottonwood Canyon mouth, or resort accommodations

Canyons: Big Cottonwood Canyon · Little Cottonwood Canyon · Millcreek Canyon

Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced (tailored to your group)

Group Size: 1–4 per guide — contact us for 5+

Season: December – April

Minimum Age: 12 with parent · 16+ independent

Required Gear: Touring skis/boots or splitboard, skins, beacon, shovel, probe

Rentals Available: Avalanche kits through BBE/WMG · Touring setups through Salt Lake City partner shops

This program is for skiers and riders who want the Wasatch on their terms — not from the lift line. You need to be comfortable on all blue and most black runs including ungroomed terrain. Beyond that, the day is built entirely around you: your fitness, your goals, your ability level.

Ability Level

Strong intermediate to expert downhill skiing or riding ability is required. You should move confidently on ungroomed resort terrain. Prior backcountry experience is helpful but not required — your guide will assess your touring technique and adjust the objective accordingly.

Fitness

Expect 2–5 hours of skinning and hiking depending on group pace and goals. The more fitness you bring, the more terrain you access. Back-to-back days of sustained uphill movement will be the most useful preparation.

What Will Be Hard

  • The first long skin — backcountry uphill travel is different from resort skiing; your guide sets the pace to match your group
  • Variable snow — you may encounter wind-affected, breakable crust, or sun-softened afternoon snow; your guide reads conditions throughout the day
  • Decision-making — the backcountry requires constant terrain assessment; your guide explains every decision, which is also one of the most valuable parts of the day

Do I need avalanche gear?

Yes. A beacon, shovel, and probe are required for all backcountry days. Rental kits are available through BBE/WMG — contact us to arrange before your trip.

How much hiking is involved?

Anywhere from 2 to 5 hours depending on group goals and pace. Lift access is used where available and appropriate.

Can we focus on education as much as skiing?

Absolutely. Many clients use a private guided day as a practical backcountry course — avalanche awareness, terrain reading, and touring efficiency can be woven into any day.

Where exactly do we meet?

Location is confirmed by your guide 24–48 hours before your program date based on current conditions and your objectives. Most common meeting point: Park & Ride lots at the mouths of Big or Little Cottonwood Canyon.

What is the cancellation policy?

Deposits are non-refundable. 121+ days: 75% refund; 90–120 days: 50%; 60–89 days: 25%; 59 days or less: no refund. All cancellations in writing.

Rates — Full Day (8 Hours)

Monday – Thursday

1 person: $495  ·  2 people: $323/person  ·  3 people: $265/person  ·  4 people: $234/person

Friday – Sunday

1 person: $525  ·  2 people: $338/person  ·  3 people: $275/person  ·  4 people: $244/person

Groups of 5 or more: contact us directly for a custom quote.

Included

  • Professional AMGA/IFMGA-certified guide
  • Avalanche assessment and daily safety planning
  • Avalanche rescue kit rental (if needed)
  • Route and terrain customized to your group

Not Included

  • Transportation to/from meeting location
  • Canyon parking fees
  • Touring ski/splitboard rental (available through SLC partner shops)
  • Food and beverages
  • Guide gratuities (customary: $50–$100/day)

Getting Here

All Wasatch programs meet in Salt Lake City, Utah. The drive from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) to the mouths of Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons is approximately 30 minutes. From downtown Salt Lake City, allow 20–25 minutes.

Most programs meet at the Park & Ride lots at the mouths of Big or Little Cottonwood Canyon, or directly at resort accommodations in the canyons. Your guide confirms the exact meeting location prior to your program date.

Canyon parking: most lots in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon require a paid parking permit or UTA Canyon Service bus pass during winter weekends — check current restrictions at udot.utah.gov. Riding the free UTA Canyon Shuttle from the Park & Ride is the simplest option when canyons are busy.

Cancellation Policy

Deposits are non-refundable. Remaining balance refund schedule: 121+ days: 75% refund; 90–120 days: 50%; 60–89 days: 25%; 59 days or less: no refund. All cancellations must be submitted in writing.

Insurance

Rescue and activity insurance is recommended for all Wasatch programs. We recommend Spot Insurance (spotinsurance.com) for activity-specific daily coverage — available to purchase at the time of booking for a fraction of the cost. For full travel insurance details, see the BBE Travel & Rescue Insurance page.

Greatest Snow on Earth. Greatest Guides on the Mountain.

The Wasatch sits 30 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City and holds some of the finest powder skiing in the world. A private guide unlocks the version of it most people never find.

Book Trip
Location:
Utah
Group:
1-4 People per Guide
Duration:
Full-Day
Skill:
Beginner-above
Activities:
Backcountry Skiing and Splitboarding
Pricing

Pricing is a typical estimate, final quote will be provided after receiving your inquiry.

Greatest Snow on Earth. Greatest Guides on the Mountain.

The Wasatch sits 30 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City and holds some of the finest powder skiing in the world. A private guide unlocks the version of it most people never find.

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