Utah Backcounty

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Utah mountains are home to incredible backcountry terrain. Dramatic peaks, inspiring lines and untouched fields of The Greatest Snow on Earth® beckon from beyond the resort boundaries. It's no surprise backcountry skiing and snowboarding are experiencing a surge in popularity. Whether you're heading into the highest peaks of the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains or exiting through the gates to access powder stashes just outside resort boundaries at one of the state's 15 resorts, there are myriad ways to experience the thrill of backcountry skiing and snowboarding in Utah. Backcountry travel, however, carries inherent risk due to uncontrolled snow and avalanche conditions, so it's essential to prepare with the proper knowledge and equipment to safely travel in the backcountry. The Utah Avalanche Center (UAC) is a wonderful resource for skiers and snowboarders to equip themselves with the education and daily avalanche reports needed to safely ski and snowboard in the Utah backcountry.

Today's Avalanche Forecast

If the image to the left looks unfamiliar to you, take a moment and look over the UAC's forecast tutorial. Learn how to read the avalanche forecast

Backcountry skiing and snowboarding can be dangerous if you aren't prepared with the right knowledge and equipment. All backcountry terrain—whether that's the highest, steepest peak in the range or a benign-looking slope just beyond the rope line—poses a risk because snow and avalanche conditions aren't controlled. Every skier and snowboarder who ventures into the backcountry should have the requisite education and skills to safely travel in avalanche terrain and perform an avalanche rescue. At a minimum, this entails reading and understanding an avalanche forecast, choosing appropriately safe backcountry terrain and effectively using avalanche rescue gear (beacon, shovel, probe).

If that sounds daunting, fear not. The UAC offers everything from the essential introductory Know Before You Go online program to avalanche rescue clinics to professional-level forecasting courses. Ski Utah has an entire page devoted to helping understand and plan your avalanche safety education along with some tips about differentiating between backcountry and resort terrain as well as about packing the proper essential gear.

Backcountry Access and Uphill Policies at Utah Resorts

Some of Utah's resorts offer backcountry access through gates at the resort boundary. Some also offer uphill access within resort boundaries for skiers and snowboarders who want to earn their turns. Please remember backcountry terrain accessed via resort gates is uncontrolled and requires the same respect, education and gear as all other backcountry areas. Always double check with resorts regarding current uphill and backcountry access policies before heading out.

Skinning Uphill Mikell Bova

Resort	Uphill Travel Allowed?	Backcountry Access Gates?	More Information / Uphill Policy Details
Alta	Yes, with restrictions	Yes	details >
Beaver Mountain	Yes, with restrictions	Yes	details >
Brian Head	No	Yes	details >
Brighton	Yes, with restrictions	Yes	details >
Cherry Peak	Yes, with restrictions	No	details >
Deer Valley	No	No	details >
Eagle Point	Yes, with restrictions	Yes	details >
Nordic Valley	Yes, with restrictions	No	details >
Park City Mountain	Yes, with restrictions	Yes	details >
Powder Mountain	Yes, with restrictions	No	details >
Snowbasin	Yes, with restrictions	Yes	details >
Snowbird	No	Yes	details >
Solitude	Yes, with restrictions	Yes	details >
Sundance	No	No	details >
Woodward Park City	No	No	details >

Alta
Uphill Travel Allowed?	Yes, with restrictions
Backcountry Access Gates?	Yes
More Information / Uphill Policy Details	details >
Beaver Mountain
Uphill Travel Allowed?	Yes, with restrictions
Backcountry Access Gates?	Yes
More Information / Uphill Policy Details	details >
Brian Head
Uphill Travel Allowed?	No
Backcountry Access Gates?	Yes
More Information / Uphill Policy Details	details >
Brighton
Uphill Travel Allowed?	Yes, with restrictions
Backcountry Access Gates?	Yes
More Information / Uphill Policy Details	details >
Cherry Peak
Uphill Travel Allowed?	Yes, with restrictions
Backcountry Access Gates?	No
More Information / Uphill Policy Details	details >
Deer Valley
Uphill Travel Allowed?	No
Backcountry Access Gates?	No
More Information / Uphill Policy Details	details >
Eagle Point
Uphill Travel Allowed?	Yes, with restrictions
Backcountry Access Gates?	Yes
More Information / Uphill Policy Details	details >
Nordic Valley
Uphill Travel Allowed?	Yes, with restrictions
Backcountry Access Gates?	No
More Information / Uphill Policy Details	details >
Park City Mountain
Uphill Travel Allowed?	Yes, with restrictions
Backcountry Access Gates?	Yes
More Information / Uphill Policy Details	details >
Powder Mountain
Uphill Travel Allowed?	Yes, with restrictions
Backcountry Access Gates?	No
More Information / Uphill Policy Details	details >
Snowbasin
Uphill Travel Allowed?	Yes, with restrictions
Backcountry Access Gates?	Yes
More Information / Uphill Policy Details	details >
Snowbird
Uphill Travel Allowed?	No
Backcountry Access Gates?	Yes
More Information / Uphill Policy Details	details >
Solitude
Uphill Travel Allowed?	Yes, with restrictions
Backcountry Access Gates?	Yes
More Information / Uphill Policy Details	details >
Sundance
Uphill Travel Allowed?	No
Backcountry Access Gates?	No
More Information / Uphill Policy Details	details >
Woodward
Uphill Travel Allowed?	No
Backcountry Access Gates?	No
More Information / Uphill Policy Details	details >

Guided Services

You don't have to go it alone in the Utah backcountry. There are numerous guided services and experiences you can choose from depending on your experience level, budget and goals. These range from helicopter skiing and snowboarding in the Wasatch to lift-assisted backcountry tours between resorts to human-powered adventures in the Uinta mountains and everything in between.