Fluffy snow, cornflower blue skies, and soaring downhill on plank(s) to hop on the lift and do it all over again, is an addictive experience that often satisfies the desire to play outside in Utah’s winter landscape.Yet, sometimes lift lines, hordes of users descending a single slope, or general body fatigue can trigger the desire for a different cold-weather experience. Luckily, guiding services in the Wasatch Back offer a range of alternate adventures—from quiet, majestic moments in the solitude of the Uinta Mountains to snowshoeing around historic mining sites. Join us as we dive into what to expect during a guided day with three of the region’s most trusted operators: Park City Powder Cats, White Pine Touring, and Inspired Summit Adventures.Park City Powder Cats (PCPC) is a private ranch deep in the Uinta Mountains featuring 15,000 acres of snowcat-accessible terrain. The nexus of this remote operation is a simple log cabin with cinematic appearances in the TV series Yellowstone and Rocky IV. Guests don’t spend much time starstruck by the cabin because the surrounding mountains demand attention and respect. “That’s a part of the uniqueness. We’re not connected to any resort, so there’s no infrastructure, hotels, or lift lines. There’s absolutely nothing but the mountains,” explains Park City Powder Cats operation manager Rebekah Stevens.Credit: Courtesy of Rebekah StevensOn an average day, the company runs three snowcats with a maximum of 11 guests per cat – an ideal experience for strong skiers who long for a break from resort chaos. “We require ability level to be advanced to expert and qualify that as being able to ski non-groomed terrain on a black diamond pitch at resorts out West,” Stevens says. “It’s extremely unique in the mechanized backcountry skiing because we are running on privately owned land. We do not have any other users in our terrain.”For PCPC guests, the mountain solitude and intimate moments with friends in the snowcat often combine to create a momentous ski day. “One of our favorite things to hear clients say is that was the best skiing or riding experience of my life. It’s interesting because I hear that even on days without perfect snow,” she says, explaining that the feeling of floating on untracked powder is increasingly rare at resorts. While people long for that flying sensation, more guests comment on PCPC’s uniqueness. “The best part of their experience is connecting with the Uinta Mountains, with solitude, the vastness, their guides, and fellow clients.”White Pine Touring has 50 years of experience empowering people to play outside through diverse modalities. Guided opportunities during the winter months include classic and skate skiing, fat biking, and snowshoeing.“None of these activities require any sort of previous experience or ability. You can approach any of these activities as a total beginner, and our knowledgeable guides will help you, teach you all the skills you need to know, and get you out there,” explains White Pine Touring’s program director, Daniel Hodges.Since all the guided tours and lessons are private, an intimate trip with White Pine Touring is an excellent choice for spending quality time honing skills in the company of friends and loved ones. “Guides will work with your group to create the ideal adventure for you,” Hodges says. A phone conversation before the trip ensures that guides build a catered game plan that fits individual needs and objectives.The White Pine Nordic Center, located on the Park City Golf Course, operates cross-country skiing operations, both classic and skate. Cross-country lessons typically focus on foundational skills, balance, and technique. However, even advanced cross-country skiers have opportunities to sharpen their skills with a lesson from one of the world-renowned skiers on the instructor team. Guided tours range from exploring the 20 kilometers of trails groomed and maintained by White Pine Nordic Center to a full-day jaunt discovering the quiet wilderness in the Uinta Mountains (class ski only). Hodges shares a cross-country skiing pro tip, “If the conditions at the resorts aren’t wonderful, that generally means the cross-country conditions are awesome.”Credit: Courtesy of Evan JahnFat biking, or winter mountain biking, is another good choice when the resorts haven’t seen fresh snow in a while. “Ideal conditions for fat biking are four or five days after a storm,” he describes. For someone looking to play in the fresh snow off-piste, snowshoeing is a perfect choice. Guided tours range from one to five hours, and options include a historical tour through Park City’s mining sites, a moonlit stroll, exploring Park City’s local trails, or a Uinta Mountain-based backcountry adventure.Shaun Deutschlander founded Inspired Summit Adventures in 2012 to customize backcountry experiences and provide tailored education opportunities. “If we can meet people where they are and customize the experience to encourage everyone to feel safe, included, and part of the trip – then we can help them feel empowered to get the most out of the experience and to learn what we are doing out in the field,” Deutschlander says.Weston Deutschlander testing the storm totals as he drops into the first untouched powder field of the day. Credit: Courtesy of Re WikstromInspired Summit specializes in human, lift access, and snowmobile access backcountry skiing and riding, focusing on mentorship opportunities. The Ski Mountaineering Camps are an example of Inspired Summit ethos. “Our first Ski Mountaineering Camp was in 2017/2018. We launched it to speak to advanced backcountry skiers, looking to start learning how to move into steeper terrain, add security using boot crampons, and possibly busting out a rope,” he continues. The Summit and Slay-Dees (advanced women’s camp) are based in the Uintas and are a prerequisite for The Pinnacle, an Alaska-based experience. “They’re intended to be a progressive layering of courses.”One of Inspired Summit’s signature offerings are the guided and catered hut trips. These yurt trips started operating out of Uinta-based Castle Peak Yurt in 2016 in collaboration with White Pine Touring. In 2020, Inspired Summit purchased the yurt and built a new structure, including a barrel sauna. Guided and catered yurt trips are a minimum of two nights and three days. Clients and guides reach the yurts using snowmobiles and toboggans loaded with goodies.Attention to detail is Inspired Summit’s specialty, and a customized menu prepared by the guide caters to any food allergies or preferences. “The Smith and Morehouse Yurt and the Castle Peak Yurt have ovens in the wood-burning stove. So, we make backcountry pizzas. That’s become a flagship meal,” Deutschlander describes. While backcountry skiing is an obvious primary recreation during yurt trips, entertainment ranges from dance parties to board games and axe throwing. Even non-skiers/riders can enjoy the experience. “We can have snowshoes up with a party. If someone is not a skier/rider but wants to be part of the trip, we can accommodate that.”In the 2024/2025 season, Inspired Summit is introducing a second Uinta hut, Smith and Morehouse Yurt, with a parallel guided experience sans sauna. With the completion of a second yurt comes an additional guided opportunity that utilizes both huts – starting at Castle Peak and ending at Smith and Morehouse, with a snowmobile gear shuttle. Under permit with the Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest, Inspired Summit is expanding the Uinta-based yurt system, also called The Western Uinta Hut System, and anticipates building two more yurts in 2025 and completing the fifth yurt in 2026. See more in the 2024/25 Winter Adventure Guide magazine.The post Wintery Fun with Wasatch Back Guide Operators appeared first on Park Record.