About Wasatch Mountain Guides | Guiding Utah Since 2017

Wasatch Mountain Guides

In 2017, two veteran IFMGA American Mountain Guides, Willie Benegas and Todd Passey, decided to join their combined 50+ years of experience in order to form a local mountaineering service in Utah. A mix of a local's perspective with international experience brought comprehensive mountain guiding to Utah.

In 2021, Erik Fullmer joined the team to offer help with operations and WMG’s online presence. He also brought a lifelong runner’s and freeride skier’s perspective. Also joining were Winslow Passey, Joseph Hobby, and Amanda Hankison. They bring decades of guiding experience, are highly recognized in their discipline, and contribute unique skills for custom programs. From there the team grew, and we now offer guided mountain activities internationally. Once again, WMG relied on Todd and Willie’s longtime international experience to build quality trips and expeditions for our clients.

Whether in Utah rock climbing or exploring its playful backcountry powder, in the remote Arctic (Svalbard), in the rugged majestic mountains of Alaska, or exploring and skiing the volcanoes in Patagonia, Chile; WMG is here to offer high quality, fun, and helping you achieve your mountain goals.

Remembering Todd Passey (1970–2026)

Wasatch Mountain Guides was built on Todd Passey’s belief that the mountains belong to anyone willing to learn them. Todd, our co-founder, died in a skiing accident in Chile on August 21, 2026. He was an IFMGA-licensed guide who led clients up all Seven Summits and summited Everest twice, but his real legacy is the guides he mentored and the thousands of people he walked into terrain they never thought they’d see. We carry his standards forward in everything we do. You can read more about Todd’s life here and share or read a memory on his Kudoboard.

Winslow Passey, Co-Owner & Partner

Winslow has guided with Wasatch Mountain Guides since its early days, teaching avalanche courses, leading alpine rock objectives, and running our kids’ programs. In 2026 she stepped into a new role as co-owner and partner, helping lead the company she helped build alongside her late husband and WMG co-founder, Todd Passey. She brings the same thing to ownership that she brings to a rope team: clear judgment, real patience, and an unshakable belief that people are capable of more than they think.

WMG Co-Owners Willie, Winslow, and Erik are motivated to continue Todd’s vision and legacy for WMG.

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Life is your experiences, and we’re here to facilitate those

Our Partners, Accreditations, and Community

Recognized Provider - American Avalanche Association

WMG is an approved A3 Recognized Provider for all recreational avalanche courses (Level 1, Rescue, Level 2). This approval ensures that WMG curriculum meets the A3 Recreational Course Guidelines as well as vetting our Risk Management Plan, including managing and operating in appropriate terrain.

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Our avalanche education courses are offered in partnership with the American Avalanche Institute. The curriculum of AAI is essential to the success of our avalanche courses. We are proud to call them our partner.

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Thank you to DPS Skis for supporting our program with their skis. Rooted in the Wasatch, just like WMG, DPS Skis designs and builds high-performance, carbon-focused skis engineered for precision, power, and versatility in big mountain and backcountry terrain, with a commitment to innovation and craftsmanship.

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We are a proud sponsor of the Salt Lake Climber's Alliance and encourage Utah locals to support their mission, "to engage as an advocate to protect outdoor climbing access and as a steward to maintain sustainable climbing resources in the Wasatch and surrounding regions."

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We are proud to support the Juniper Fund, a cause close to us at WMG. For Todd, Winslow and Willie, Nepal is like a second home—after 20+ years guiding in the Himalayas, with a combined 16 summits of Everest, they have seen the risks Sherpas face. Supporting the Juniper Fund is our way of honoring their courage and giving back to their families.

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Thank you to Dynafit for our apparel. Dynafit specializes in lightweight, high-performance ski touring gear, including bindings, boots, and apparel, designed for speed and efficiency in the mountains.

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Thank you to Skimo Co for assisting our clients with quality ski touring rentals and products and for offering our full-time guides a generous discount. We encourage our clients to rent ski touring here.

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Many of our activities are permitted on public lands, including but not limited to, the UNITA-WASATCH-CACHE NATIONAL FOREST, Bureau of Land Management land in Utah and Alaska, the Denali National Park and Preserve, and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

The Utah Avalanche Center is an invaluable and crucial resource for our community. We contribute to the UAC donation drives, add observations (including incidents) to the public observations and avalanche reports, and encourage Utah locals to donate to their organization and seek educational materials from their website. Please read the daily avalanche forecast.

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What our clients say

    
 
 
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   Jose Pacheco 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Went with Willie Benegas to Steurts Ridge.  He was a very good guide.  Experienced, friendly, taught some on knots and techniques.  Made the experience fun and always felt safe.  Would definitely go with him again.  The office when I initially asked about trip was very responsive and booking was easy.  Good price.
  
 
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   Peter O 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a terrific experience.   Our group had different levels, and Winslow made sure everyone had fun and got the most out of the hike.  The entire process was great.  Highly recommend.
  
 
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   Lad E 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very good experience with Willie
  
 
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   Bill 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great afternoon of rock climbing with Willie Benegas.  He perfectly balanced education, fun, and lots of time on the rock.  We look forward to climbing with him again.
  
 
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   Cheryl Duckworth 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Did a full alpine experience day with Winslow which was terrific. I’ve skied multiple days with Winslow but this is the first time we combined a mountaineering objective. We climbed the south ridge of Superior carrying our skis and boots. Then skied down the north side of Superior and then up and out Cardiff. Long, committing route at which Winslow expertly navigated while keeping me safe with running belays and some individual pitches. I highly recommend Winslow for your mountaineering and skiing goals.
  
 
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   Nancy Luke 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our crevasse rescue class was awesome. Our guide was super knowledgeable and fun and we all came away with tons of new skills. We hope to use WMG again soon!
  
 
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   Aaron Craven 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I recently completed my Avalanche Level 1 with Erik Fullmer and the whole experience from start to finish was fantastic.

Erik was incredibly knowledgeable, personable and funny and made the whole experience a blast.

WMG have a policy of keeping avalanche courses to no more than 4 people to promote a good learning environment and that made a big difference to our enjoyment of the course.

Would not hesitate to use WMG for any other touring or guiding needs. There’s a reason that every review on google is 5 stars.
  
 
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   Dave Kusy 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Erik has guided me in the Wasatch for 4 days this season.   Super professional, highly capable and great company to be around!  Can’t wait for next year.
  
 
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   Josue Brainin 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amanda was amazing!!  The team was super flexible accommodating exactly what we needed.

Wasatch Mountain Guides

Our Guides: Leaders in the Industry

Our AMGA/IFMGA-certified guides are the cornerstone of our adventures. With years of experience and a commitment to safety and excellence, they are not just guides but mentors, helping you grow and explore. Many guides and clients develop a longstanding relationship, becoming more than a guide and client, but also friends. We greatly appreciate these sustained relationships, which helps you grow as a skilled mountaineer and this rapport allows for trust in higher risk objectives.

To highlight the elite level of our guides, we reference that two of our guides, Willie Benegas and Joseph Hobby, have been recognized by the prestigious Piolets d’Or (Golden Piton) Honored Ascents. Todd Passey and Winslow Passey are known for their first descents in Antarctica, among other accomplishments. The knowledge and experience from these events are passed down to our up-and-coming guides, as well as to you, our guest and client.

Wasatch Mountain Guides

About us