Hire a Private Backcountry Ski Guide in the Wasatch Mountains

From $250/person

Wasatch Mountains, Utah
1-4 People per Guide
Full-Day
Intermediate and above

From $250/person

Wasatch Mountains, Utah
1-4 People per Guide
Full-Day
Intermediate and above

Hiring a private ski guide in the Wasatch Mountains gives you direct access to local terrain knowledge, professional risk management, and a fully customized backcountry or sidecountry ski experience. Our certified guides work with you to choose objectives based on current conditions, avalanche hazard, fitness, and skill level—whether you’re looking for lift-accessed sidecountry laps, classic Wasatch ski tours, or advanced objectives in Big or Little Cottonwood Canyon, and surrounding areas.

These private ski tours are ideal for intermediate to advanced backcountry skiers looking to progress their skills while exploring the terrain that has made backcountry skiing in Utah world-class. Days often focus on longer tours, efficient uphill travel, and thoughtful terrain selection, with objectives chosen to match current conditions and your goals. Many guests use private guiding as a stepping stone toward more complex objectives or to prepare for formal avalanche education courses or to have a guide help them find and ski the best snow possible.

Each trip is fully customized, balancing quality skiing with learning, efficiency, and sound decision-making. As longtime local guides, we draw on deep knowledge of Wasatch terrain to find the best conditions—whether that means sheltered tree skiing, open bowls, or steep couloirs. Private guiding is a flexible option for skiers seeking a personalized experience, and it pairs well with our broader guided backcountry skiing programs or lift-accessed sidecountry skiing when conditions align.

 

Trips for All Experience Levels

  • Introductory Backcountry Skiers: First tours, transitions, uphill travel, and terrain selection
  • Intermediate Ski Tourers: Efficient travel, powder skiing, steeper terrain, classic Wasatch routes
  • Advanced Skiers: Technical descents, couloirs, complex terrain, and condition-driven objectives

  • Difficulty: while backcountry experience is not strictly necessary, you will enjoy this type of tour with a little touring experience under your belt, knowledge of the equipment being key as well as fitness level; intermediate to advanced downhill ski ability and good fitness required
  • Meeting Time: Generally 8am
  • Meeting Location: Big or Little Cottonwood Park and Ride Lot, Alta or Brighton, depending on objective. We may also meet in the Provo area mountains.

Specific tours vary per conditions and clients’ focuses, but we always aim to go to where the best snow can be found. On many of these tours, we begin in Little Cottonwood Canyon, ski down into Big Cottonwood, and eventually work our way back up and over into Little Cottonwood again. You’ll get into some fantastic, challenging terrain – so you can continue to grow your skills in one of the most stunning parts of the planet. These trips are also ran in the Southern Wasatch mountains.

Each day involves approximately 2,500 to 5,000 feet of climbing and skiing over the course of roughly seven hours. If you’re interested in a detailed summary of what a day backcountry skiing with Wasatch Mountain Guides is like, read here.

What We Provide
  • IFMGA or AMGA certified guides
  • Avalanche beacon, shovel, probe and pack (if needed)
What You Need
  • Review the equipment list
  • Lunch, water and snacks
  • Lift Accessed Tours: cost of “single-ride lift ticket” is additional
Dates
  • These are private guided days so simply contact us to schedule or use the “Book Trip” calendar.
Max Client to Guide Ratio
  • 4:1
  • We can book groups larger than four and will add an additional guide to the group, keeping max client to guide ratio 4:1.

  • Local knowledge of Wasatch snowpack, terrain, and conditions
  • Real-time terrain selection based on avalanche forecasts
  • Efficient access to classic and lesser-known lines
  • Instruction, mentorship, or purely guided skiing—your choice
  • Flexible start times, locations, and objectives
  • This is your day, we’re customizing it to match your fitness and skill and to meet your vision and goals

  • Expert Guides: Certified AMGA guides ensure risk maangement and skillful navigation through Utah’s Wasatch Mountains and beyond. We follow the AMGA’s Scope of Practice.
  • Customizable Experiences: Tailored skiing and splitboarding adventures based on skill level, terrain preferences, and goals.
  • Premier Locations: Access to pristine backcountry terrain, including iconic areas like the Wasatch Range and other select regions.
  • Skills Training: Gain essential backcountry skills, such as avalanche safety, efficient route selection, and skinning techniques. We customize to your experience and goals.
  • Comprehensive Equipment Support: Includes avalanche beacons, shovels, probes, and more if needed.
  • Small Group Focus: Low guide-to-client ratios to ensure personalized guidance and a safe experience. We run private groups for the best experience possible.
  • Diverse Season Calendar: Opportunities from early winter to late spring, including advanced ski mountaineering tours.
  • Adventure for All Levels: Options ranging from introductory backcountry courses to high-stakes mountaineering tours.
  • Booking Convenience: Clear pricing, flexible group size options, and an easy online booking process.
  • Local Expertise: Deep knowledge of the Wasatch Range ensures a memorable and rewarding outdoor adventure.

FAQs

Hiring a private ski guide includes customized trip planning, professional avalanche risk management, route and terrain selection, and on-the-ground decision making throughout the day. Your guide adapts the plan to current snow and weather conditions while matching the pace, objectives, and instructional focus to your goals.

Most skiing takes place in the Wasatch Mountains, including Big Cottonwood Canyon, Little Cottonwood Canyon, and surrounding zones. Depending on conditions and objectives, trips may involve lift-accessed sidecountry skiing, short approaches, or full backcountry ski tours. We also offer private ski guided tours in the Provo area mountains. 

Your guide will select the terrain that suites your skill and the avalanche conditions, while planning and seeking the best ski quality possible.

Hiring a ski guide can be purely a guided day focused on skiing, or it can include instruction and mentorship. Many guests use private guiding to build backcountry skills, improve efficiency, or prepare for avalanche courses and bigger objectives. A guided backcountry ski tour could help you prepare for an avalanche course or a ski mountaineering mentorship program. 

Private ski guiding is ideal for individuals or small groups who want flexibility, personal attention, and terrain choices matched to their experience. This option works well for visiting skiers, locals short on time, or anyone seeking a higher-end, custom backcountry experience.

Prior backcountry experience is not required for all trips. Your guide will help select terrain appropriate to your background and may recommend preparatory instruction or avalanche education depending on conditions and goals.

Book Trip

What Clients Say

I had a great time skiing with Todd.

Super experienced guide who knows the Wasatch like the back of his hand. brought me to some of the best powder skiing of my life. I learned a lot from him as well. I ended the day as a better backcountry skier.

Oliver Y.

Both days were simply fabulous.

Erik Fullmer guided us on two different backcountry excursions. Both days were simply fabulous. Erik was very patient, and took time to explain many aspects of the snow pack, the proper techniques to skin up. He was very patient and always willing to answer our questions.

Winslow was absolutely wonderful in every way!

I learned so much from her throughout the day and am very grateful for her patience and thoughtfulness - even bringing me delicious homemade vegan soup and ginger tea to enjoy in the backcountry. No doubt in mind that this was the first of many tours I hope to do with Winslow.

Elizabeth D.

I highly recommend Wasatch Mountain Guides and Todd specifically.

Todd was amazing. He managed our group perfectly even though we had a 1st time BC participant along with others that have been doing it for 20+ years. The terrain he took us on was perfect for our skill level and the Avy conditions on Sunday and he kept things at a pace that we all could handle (eve

Ted D.

Erik and the team at Wasatch Mountain Guides are best in class.

Highly experienced, incredibly knowledgeable, and very professional. I was looking for a challenging but fun experience, and that is exactly what I got. Could be any happier with my decision to work with WMG/Erik and what a memorable trip. Will be back year over year.

Eric F.

Great about sharing her "pro tips" to us and a lot of fun to spend the day with!

We had a great day touring with Winslow! She was super chill, had done her homework on the snow conditions for the day, very knowledgeable, great about sharing her "pro tips" to us and a lot of fun to spend the day with! I highly recommend Winslow with Wasatch Mountain Guides!

Kim W.

Super professional, highly capable and great company to be around!

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.

Dave K.

I'm grateful for Winslow and Wasatch Mountain Guides.

Winslow was great, we had an amazing day in the backcountry. We climbed 4,300 vertical feet, skied over 7 miles, and didn't ski the same terrain more than once. Such a great day, I'm grateful for Winslow and Wasatch Mountain Guides.

Jackson D.

Featured Video

Ski with Wasatch Mountain Guides!

Ski with Wasatch Mountain Guides!

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